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.
Exterior lighting, Structure, May 10, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HEADLAMP WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine, May 9, 2017
2013 SORENTO STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE FAN BELT. THEN WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, SUV STALLED. WAS ABLE TO START SUV AGAIN AND CONTINUED HOME WITH THE ENGINE MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. ROADSIDE ASST TOWED TO DEALER WHO SAID THE ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THEY ALSO SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS BEEN ON THE DEALERS LOT FOR EIGHT MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE ENGINE..
Seats, May 6, 2017
SECOND ROW RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT HANDLE TO PUT SEAT DOWN GETS STUCK AND IS VERY HARD TO PUT BACK UP OR LAY IT DOWN TO ACCESS THE THIRD ROW.
Seat belts, May 4, 2017
MULTIPLE SEATBELT LATCH FAILURES CAUSING THE BELTS TO NOT PROPERLY LATCH. BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS HAVE FAILED, AND I HAVE 5 BELTS IN BACK THAT I DON'T THINK I CAN TRUST TO WORK PROPERLY. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. EVEN WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE COST TO FIX.
Seats, Apr 28, 2017
THE SECOND ROW SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO FOLD DOWN, USE A LATCH TO LET THE 3RD ROW PASSENGERS IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE , IS NOT WORKING LEVEL IS LOOSE FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING AND THE SEAT IS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PASSENGERS IN THE 3RD ROW HAVE TO HOOP OUT THE BACK HATCH DOOR.
Air bags, Apr 27, 2017
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. DEAL ADVISES THAT IT IS A SENSOR AND THAT IT IS OVER $400 TO REPAIR. HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 KIA SORENTO. VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE (3,000 OVER). VEHICLE AS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION.
Engine, Apr 10, 2017
ENGINE IS LOUD I WAS TOLD TO REPORT TO THE KIA DEALER IF THE ENGINE WAS GETTING MORE LOUD. THE VEHICLE WAS LOUD FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN IF IT SEEMED TO GET MORE LOUD. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT HAS SOLID LIFTERS AND THAT IS WHY IT IS LOUD. NOW IT HAS 99730 MILES AND SOME ENGINES ARE SEIZING UP. I ASKED IF THE RECALL WOULD BE IN FORCE IF I WENT OVER 100000 AND WAS TOLD TO PARK IT UNTIL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT I CAN'T DRIVE AND PAYING PAYMENT'S ON, I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE KIA REP SAID TO HURRY WHEN I RECEIVE THE LETTER SO THE DEALERSHIP COULD GET ME SCHEDULED BUT HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE! HE ALSO SAID IF I TOOK IT IN NOW THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AN INSPECTION. BASICALLY NOW I'M THE PROUD OWNER OF A KIA BOAT ANCHOR!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2017
RADIO CUTS ON AND OFF AT WILL. MOSTLY OFF. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OFTEN. BOTH OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHILE MOVING AND WHILE SITTING STILL. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2017
THE KIA WAS PARKED ON A SLOPING DRIVEWAY, IN PARK AND WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN ABOUT 10 FEET. BOTH TRANSMISSION AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE STILL ENGAGED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2017
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT THE PLASTIC PLUG WAS MELTED! BOUGHT A NEW PLUG AND WIRED IT IN.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2017
HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKELIGHTS. KEEP SHORTING OUT. HAD INSPECTED BY MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT IT WAS ARCING AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. CONSTANT REPLACING OF HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT AGAIN AND THE WIRE HARNESS THAT HOLDS THE BULB WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. PUT ELECTRICAL TAPE AROUND IT. BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT 100%. THE REMAINING HEADLIGHT IS HIT OR MISS OPERATIONALLY. DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WEREN'T WORKING. HAD TO USE HIBEAMS FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP.
Seats, Mar 17, 2017
I HAVE HAD THE SECOND PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT LATCH REPAIRED 3X ALREADY. IT IS GOING IN FOR 4TH TIME NEXT WEEK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 6, 2017
THE ELECTRICAL WIRE TO THE LIGHTS BURNED AS WELL AS THE CONNECTOR THE BATTERY WILL NOT STAY CHARGED NOTHING IS ON AT THE TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THE DOORS RANDOMLY LOCK BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND THERE'S A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE
Power train, Engine, Mar 3, 2017, fire
THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND CAUGHT FIRE ON RURAL ROADS ABOUT 50MPH.THE DOG AND MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MY S.O.'S QUICK THINKING...SNOW IN THE ENGINE HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A GAME WARDEN ARRIVED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE FREE OF COST.
Air bags, Feb 25, 2017
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON IN SEPT 2016. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT HAD GONE BAD. THEY STATED THAT IT COULD KEEP THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING OR CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED THAT I COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE SENSOR TO GO BAD INSIDE THE SEAT! THE PART W/ LABOR COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE. NOW 5 MONTHS LATE (FEB 2017) I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN.
Engine, Feb 21, 2017
MY CAR IS 2013 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR JAN, 2014. MY FAMILY EXPERIENCED ENGINE STALL 4 TIMES SO FAR. LAST ONE WAS YESTERDAY. MY WIFE DROVE AT DOWN HILL AND STOP TO MAKE RIGHT TURN. THAT MOMENT, ENGINE STOPPED. SHE SAID BREAK WORK PROPERLY. SO, ENGINE SEEMS STOP AFTER CAR FULLY STOPPED. BUT MY WIFE DIDN'T RECOGNIZED STOPPED ENGINE. WHEN SHE RELEASED BREAKS. CAR WENT DOWN TO MAIN ROAD. SHE PUSHED ACCEL BUT CAR DIDN'T GO AHEAD. IF THERE WERE ANY CAR COMING. SHE COULDN'T AVOID HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THAN, SHE PUT ON PARKING AND START ENGINE AGAIN. I HAVE RECEIVED 1 TIME ENGINE MODULE RECALL SERVICE. AFTER THAT, ENGINE STALLED 2 TIMES. THIS IS OVER 30K CAR. BUT NEVER RELIABLE.
Engine, Feb 13, 2017
WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE COMPRESSION WENT TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION NEXT TO A GUARDRAIL. THE ENGINE OIL FLOWED OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS DARK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE KIA WAS TOWED HOME AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD SERVICE THROUGH ITS' ENTIRE WARRANTY PERIOD WITH KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY MADE MAJOR REPAIRS AS WELL AS OIL CHANGES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 20K. KIA WILL NOT COVER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WHICH IS NEEDED. THIS IS THE SAME PATTERN OF MECHANICAL FAILURE REGARDING ENGINE OIL PROBLEMS LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND COSTLY REPAIRS.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2017
CAR AT 72,000 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONSTANTLY. DEALER INDICATES PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. ODDLY, THE OTHER LIGHT ABOVE THE CONSOLE THAT INDICATES PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF CORRECTLY SHOWN OFF WHEN NO ONE IS SEATED IN PASSENGER SEAT, AND ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. RESEARCH FROM VARIOUS ONLINE SOURCES IS INCONCLUSIVE IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT GIVEN THE CURRENT ERROR CODES OF B1674 AND B1767. EXPENSE TO REPAIR IS EXCESSIVE, IN MY OPINION, AT A COST OF $1,800 FOR THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR (ROUGHLY 1/5 THE VALUE OF THE CAR).
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS MELTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE, BUT DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Seats, Jan 20, 2017
REAR SEAT LATCH BROKE IN RECLINED POSITION ,HAS BEEN HARD TO OPERATE SINCE PURCHASED.IN DRIVEWAY WHEN INCIDENT OCCURED
Exterior lighting, Jan 20, 2017
UPON NOTICING A HEADLIGHT OUT AND THE CAR PARKED AND OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB AND NOTED THAT THE WIRE TO THE LAMP HAD MELTED AND STARTED TO MELT THE LAMP ITSELF. I HAD THE OTHER HEADLIGHT ON THIS SAME CAR DO THE SAME THING. THE FIRST TIME THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD.
Engine, Jan 17, 2017
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW, HAVE HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT STARTED BURNING OIL AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THAT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE WOULD NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAS 71000 MILES, OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 7500 MILES OR 12 MONTHS, WE HAVE RECORDS FOR 8 OIL CHANGES, KIA SAYS WE NEED TO SHOW 14, THAT WOULD BE AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 5000 MILES WHICH IS NOT WHAT MANUAL SAYS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ENGINE IN ANOTHER KIA VEHICLE, BUT NOT FOR THIS ONE. MANY COMPLAINTS FOR OIL RELATED ISSUES ON THIS CAR FOR 2011-2014. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER. WE ARE STILL DRIVING VEHICLE, BUT CHECK OIL BEFORE WE GO ANYWHERE. DEALER WANTS US TO PAY $350-$400 TO COMPLETELY TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO TAKE PICTURES TO SEE IF KIA WILL COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 17, 2017
MY CAR HAS 73,000 MILES AND KEPT WELL MAINTAINED. ONE DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T START. ENGINE KEPT TURNING OVER AND OVER. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED BUT IT WOULD SHAKE, VIBRATE, AND HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. MY MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND IT IS NOT COVER AFTER 60,000 MILES WARRANTY AND THE PART WILL COST OVER $850 WITHOUT THE LABOR. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP OR FUEL PUMP SYSTEM WITH A CAR THAT HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS DEFECT DESIGN FROM KIA AND THEY WILL NOT COVER FOR IT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 14, 2017
HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED REGULARLY. MOST RECENTLY THE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. WHEN GOING TO REPLACE THE BULB THE LIGHT HARNESS AND BULB WERE MELTED TOGETHER.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2016
I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE OVER $2100 TO FIX. AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THIS DEFECT.