2013 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 981 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 23 involved a crash and 44 involved a fire. 33 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Campaign 15V626000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
981 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 17, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2013 KIA SORENTO IN MARCH 2013...I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP MAINTENANCE. I STARTED HAVING ISSUES ( EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS/TAILLIGHTS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HAVING TO REPLACE, CAR STALLING/STOPPING IN TRAFFIC, ABS//TRACTION CONTROL & DOWNHILL ASSIT LIGHTS COMING ON, AIR CONDITIONER, FUEL SYSTEM). I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE UNDER NHTSA, AND IT APPEARS THAT I AM HAVING MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS. MY VEHICLE IS NEARING 100,000 MILES (98,800), AND I HOPE THAT ALL THESE ISSUES I AND OTHERS HAVE HAD CAN BE RESOLVED BY KIA. I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED TWO RECALLS ON MY VIN #- ONE BEING THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS DATED 4-22-2019. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS?? THE OTHER ONE WAS DATED AUGUST 14, 2019 REGARDING AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY EXTENDING WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 15 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THANKS FOR CHECKING INTO MY PROBLEMS.
Seat belts, Nov 14, 2019
MIDDLE ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LOCKED INSIDE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME EXTREMELY FRAYED AND UNSAFE FOR USE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2019
MY VEHICLE STARTS HESITATING THAN SHAKES AND STALLS . I WAIT AND START IT UP . IT HAS DONE THIS AND I SEE RECALLS FOR KIA AND STALLING ISSUES. I AM AFRAID I'M GONNA GET INTO AN ACCIDENT
Engine, Nov 7, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA SORENTO YESTERDAY ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50-55 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STALLED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND OUT OF OIL. I STILL HAD 1,000 MILES TO GO ACCORDING TO THE OIL CHANGE STICKER FROM THE MECHANIC. NO OIL WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON TO INDICATE LOW FUEL. THERE ARE ALSO NO SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING GREAT THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I DROVE 50+ MILES ON MOSTLY HIGHWAY. I HAD MY 2013 KIA SORENTO TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND JUST INFORMED ME THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH BECAUSE I'M CONFUSED TO WHAT HAPPENED HERE AND FOUND THAT I'M NOT ALONE. MANY OTHER KIA & HYUNDAI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE. "THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) REPORTEDLY STATES THAT MORE THAN 6 MILLION HYUNDAI AND KIA VEHICLES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ENGINE DEFECT SINCE 2015". WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING AT AN ESTIMATE OF $6220.00 TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. I NEED HELP. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
Engine, Nov 6, 2019
DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND MY 2013 KIA SORENTO STALLED. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ENGINE BEGAN A CLANKING NOISE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY HAVEN'T REPORTED BACK YET. RECALL NOTICE WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 7V224 RECALL DATE: MARCH 31, 2017 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: SC147
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 3, 2019
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, EXITED THE HIGHWAY, WENT INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN TURNED CAR OFF. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND DROVE SEVERAL BLOCKS AND CAR STARTING KNOCKING AND THEN SHUT OFF. CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN.
Engine, Oct 30, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING DOWN AN EXIT RAMP OF A BRIDGE WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. IT ACTED AS IF THE BATTERY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. BATTERY TESTED GOOD. COOLANT AND OIL WERE FULL. BELT WAS REMOVED. ALL PULLEYS TURNED FREELY. SPARK PLUGS REMOVED TO ALLEVIATE COMPRESSION. ATTEMPTED TO TURN ENGINE OVER BY CRANK BOLT. TOOK OVER 150 LB. FT. TO TURN ENGINE. REMOVED OIL PAN AND FOUND BEARING MATERIAL IN BOTTOM OF OIL PAN.
Engine, Oct 29, 2019
THE MOTOR FAILED WHILE ON THE ROAD TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR UNDER NORMAL LOAD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO IMMEDIATE PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. KIA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS AN INTERNAL FAILURE, HOWEVER THEY DENY THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR AND WERE UNWILLING TO FIX IT AS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I AM WRITING THE NHTSA TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR RECORDS AS I HAVE SEEN THERE TO BE A NUMBER OF SIMILAR ISSUES RELATED TO KIA SORENTO MOTORS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 25, 2019
HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THEN HAVING TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE MOTOR EVERY OTHER DAY AND IT STALLING TO THE POINT OF ALMOST CUTTING OFF WHEN I START TO TAKE OFF. I GOT UP PUT OIL IN THE CAR STARTED MY DAY AS USUAL, RAN ERRANDS AND THE PARKED THE CAR AS USUAL. WENT TO GET IN IT THE NEXT DAY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. STARTED TO DRIVE IT AND IT MADE THE SOUND AS IF IT WAS MISFIRING. LATER THAT DAY HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PLUGS. SO I CHANGED THE PLUGS AND COIL PACKS AND IT DID NOT CHANGE A THING. STILL HAD THAT NOISE AND WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL START SHAKING AND HAVE TO GEAR DOWN. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID IT WAS PART OF THE 147 RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWED THAT IT HAD BEEN FIXED IN 2018. I EXPLAINED THAT IT SHOOK WHEN DRIVEN THAT PLUGS AND COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, HAD TO FILL UP ON OIL INSTEAD OF GAS AND THAT THE OIL HAD GAS IN IT. TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 230 OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT TOWED. NEXT DAY TOOK IT TOO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE MOTOR LOCKED UP BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. FINALLY GOT THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THE MOTOR WAS BAD. IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUGHT FIRE OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BUT YET NOT PART OF THE RECALL SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. NOT ONLY DID KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NHTSA BOTH SAID IT WAS PART OF THE 147 RECALL. I AM WITH OUT A VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ONE THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE OR GET FIXED.
Exterior lighting, Oct 23, 2019
THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER HEADLAMP CONTINUES TO BURN OUT FREQUENTLY AND THE COMPONENTS LOOK MELTED. IN SEARCHING THIS SITUATION ONLINE, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING ALTHOUGH KIA DOESN'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH ONLY 1 HEADLIGHT, WHICH ISN'T SAFE.
Engine, Oct 23, 2019
ENGINE HAS KNOCKING SOUND. GETS WORSE WITH A/C ON SEEMS AND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. MORNINGS THE LOUDEST. GETS LOUDER ON AND OFF. I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Oct 20, 2019
IT STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING AND LOUD TAPPING NOISE WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREED. IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND WORSE WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE.
Power train, Engine, Oct 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE TRAVELING AND ALSO QUICKLY SURGED FORWARD AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER. SPRADLEY KIA (2145 HWY 50 WEST, PUEBLO, CO 81008, (719) 543-6710) PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO CODES WERE FOUND. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR NEXT WEEK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Engine, Oct 18, 2019
PER THE MECHANIC, METAL CHIPS IN THE OIL, RADIATOR OVER HEATED AND CRACKED THE ENGINE THIS SOUNDS EXACTLY WHAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE. .WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTED OVERHEATING
Engine, Oct 16, 2019
THE ENGINE IS MAKING AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF NOISE IN THE ENGINE. IT ALSO IS BURNING UP TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR OR FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH NO HELP. THEY TELL ME IF IT LOCKS UP THEY WILL FIX IT BUT NOT UNTIL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT DO I DO?
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 14, 2019, crash
I HAD A POWER TRAIN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK TO A KIA REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND I'M VERY DISTRAUGHT ABOUT IT. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO ACCELERATE. THEY SAID IT WAS A REA SAFETY PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. IM READY TO TAKE WHOM EVER TO COURT TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2019
TWO LEAKING RADIATORS REPLACED IN TWO YEARS, ANTIFREEZE LEAKING IN THE DRIVEWAY; TWO BATTERIES REPLACED IN TWO YEARS.VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN ALL INSTANCES. WORKING ON GETTING PROOF FOR LAST YEAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NISSAN KIA OF MIDDLETOWN (4961 NY-17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Oct 6, 2019
2013 KIA SORENTO ,,, 120,000 MILES ONE OWNER, REGULAR MAINTANCE ON TIME. ENGINE FAILED ON HYWAY , MY MECHANIC SAID ITS A RECSLLED ENGINE. TOWED TO KIA , AFTER TWO MONTHS OF BACK AND FOURTH PHINE CALLS, KIA SAID ITS NOT A RECALLLED ENGINE. THE PROBKEM IS KIA SENT NOBODY TO INSPECT ENGINE , AND THEY RUN YOU AROUND ON PHONE. NOT HAPPY.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2019
ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF PASSANGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. FROM DEALERSHIP INSPECTION: 'AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SCANNED CODES RETURNED CODE B1764 OCS MAT DEFECT, PERFORMED TEST ON BODY SENSOR AND FOUND NO VOLTAGE GOING TO OCS MAT AND SRSCM MODULE, WILL NEED TO REPLACE MODULE AND MAT. TOTAL $3,058.' FURTHER CONVERSATION WITH TECHANICAN: NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE, LIKELY FAULTY WIRES OR FAILED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY OPTION TO REPLACE THE PASSANGER MODULE. UNCLEAR IF AIRBAG WILL STILL OPERATION IS COLISSION. OWNER OPINION: IF AIRBAG ASSEMBLY IS FAILING IN THIS MANNER, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. OTHERWISE, PASSANGERS ARE AT RISK. YEAR: 2013 MODEL: KIA SORENTO MILEAGE: 120548
Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2019
INCORRECT FLYWHEEL WAS INSTALLED ON MY KIA SORRENTO, MOST LIKELY BY THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. IT HAS CAUSED PREMATURE FAILURE OF MY STARTER MOTOR AND VARIOUS OTHER REPAIRS. THE INCORRECT PART BELONGS TO A KIA SEDONA OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2019
MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE A BLOWN BULB I FIND THE BULB IS FINE AND THE SOCKET OR HARNESS DOES NOT KEEP A GOOD CONNECTION. THE BULB WILL COME ON AND OFF WITH VIBRATION. I HAD THE WIRING AND/OR HARNESS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2019
MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE A BLOWN BULB I FIND THE BULB IS FINE AND THE SOCKET OR HARNESS DOES NOT KEEP A GOOD CONNECTION. THE BULB WILL COME ON AND OFF WITH VIBRATION. I HAD THE WIRING AND/OR HARNESS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2019
MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE A BLOWN BULB I FIND THE BULB IS FINE AND THE SOCKET OR HARNESS DOES NOT KEEP A GOOD CONNECTION. THE BULB WILL COME ON AND OFF WITH VIBRATION. I HAD THE WIRING AND/OR HARNESS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Engine, Sep 30, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH ON A MAJOR ROADWAY WHEN SUDDENLY IT MADE A NOISE AND LOST POWER. COULDN'T IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT 15-20 MPH, WITH EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON, UNTIL A SAFE PULL OFF COULD BE IDENTIFIED.