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.
Seats, Nov 6, 2016
REAR SEAT LATCH MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT IS STUCK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE LATCH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. VERY INCONVENIENT WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS IN THE CAR. KIDS FORCED TO ENTER AND EXIT THROUGH TRUNK. ANNOYING!! APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE CLEARLY ITS A DESIGN FLAW.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 17, 2016
DRIVING DOWN I-20 WEST (1.5 MILES FROM I-45 SOUTH EXIT) AT 70MPH ON A CLEAR DAY, ON OPEN ROAD WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC (NO OVERPASSES, NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, ETC.). MY CHILDREN AND I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND I LOOKED IN MY REVIEW MIRROR TO SEE GLASS POURING OFF OF MY BACK WINDOW. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE & RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD "DO NOT MAKE REPAIRS UNTIL YOU ARE CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE". I RECEIVED A MSG FROM MY "CASE WORKER" AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN HER CALL EVERY DAY BY LEAVING MESSAGES AND CALLING MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. I EVEN CALLED 15 TIMES IN ONE DAY (EVERY 20-30 MINS) WITH NO ANSWERED CALLS AND NO RETURNED CALLS. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR AND TWO OTHER WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE THAT OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE AND THERE WERE SEVERAL TSB ALERTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PROVIDED A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,178.
Engine, Oct 3, 2016
I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE GASOLINE PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER A FEW LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THEN THE ENTIRE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I COASTED TO THE CURB IN A NO PARKING ZONE. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT "TURN OVER." APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTED AND I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE WHEN EVERYTHING HAPPENED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AGAIN. I CALLED THE KIA ROADSIDE ASSIST AND THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM AWAITING AN ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP. MY WIFE ALSO WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 2 TIMES IN THE PAST AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN IN A FAST MANNER BY ABOUT 20 MPH. SHE COULD THEN SPEED UP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER FOR THAT PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Sep 25, 2016
IN LATE JUNE MY ENGINE STARTED S KNOCKING NOISE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND THE ENGINE JUST KEPT MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE LET ME KNOW THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN SEPTEMBER, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA DATED AUGUST 29,2016, STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING MY WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD WITH MY ENGINE IN JUNE. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR MY VEHCLE TO BE FIXED, BUT IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT.
Engine, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. *JS
Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2016
SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT JUST SHATTERED, PERFECT DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO DEBRIS, NO ACCIDENT, DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR BRIDGES. ROAD WAS FLAT, EVEN AND NO DEBRIS.
Engine, Sep 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Engine, Sep 8, 2016
ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 30TH, 2016, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN OUR 2013 KIA SORENTO WITH OUR TWO TODDLERS WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. HE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DRIVING STRAIGHT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. WE LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING SO IT TOOK ALL HE HAD TO COAST AND PULL OVER SAFELY. HE CALLED KIA WHO GOT A TOW TRUCK EN ROUTE TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP. MY DAD HAD TO COME BY TO PICK UP MY FRIGHTENED GIRLS WHILE MY HUSBAND WAITED WITH THE VEHICLE (IT TOOK TWO HOURS). WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR ISSUES BEFORE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FAITHFULLY HAD IT MAINTAINED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT GAVE US NEWS WE WERE NOT EXPECTING; THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AS WE BROKE A CRANKSHAFT. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT!! LUCKILY THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THEY VERIFIED THAT IT WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY THEM. FAST FORWARD A WEEK AND WE GET THE CALL TONIGHT THAT KIA HAS YET TO RELEASE A NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED AND THEY HAVE NO TIME FRAME.
Engine, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Engine, Aug 16, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT 55MPH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN LEAVING ME WITHOUT POWER, THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT, NOT ONLY DID I NOT HAVE POWER TO THE ENGINE I DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING FOR THE VEHICLE SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR ONLY TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS WAS THE SCAREST MOMENT FOR ME ALONE ON THE SIDE OF THE PARKWY WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND TRAFFIC FLYING PAST US. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT IS THREE DAYS LATER AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT STARTING AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES.
Engine, Aug 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL HAD BEEN DEPOSITED INTO THE VEHICLE RECENTLY BEFORE THE STALL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016
TOOK MY VEHICLE - 2013 KIA SORENTO - TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS TEST DONE AT A KIA DEALERSHIP ON WHY MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE DIAGNOSIS SAID CODE B1764 WHICH IS A PASSENGER OCS MAT DEF ECT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME 2100.00 TO FIX. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I AM OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. I DO MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING ALONE IN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 5% OF THE TIME SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS TO ME SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF MY KIA. FROM WHAT I AM SEEING ON NHTSA WEB SITE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE
Seats, Jul 31, 2016
THE SECOND ROW SEAT WILL NOT RELEASE.
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
DURING ACCELERATION THE ENGINE RATTLES AND JERKS LOSING POWER UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE IS ATTEMPTING TO STALL.
Engine, Jul 28, 2016
CAR STOPPED DEAD IN ROAD WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREET.TAKEN TO KIA DEAL WHO REFUSED TO EVEN CONSIDER MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. UPON EXAMINATION DETERMINED THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO SEIZE. TO REPLACE ENGINE THEY WANT TO CHARGE $6800 FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR HYUNDAI ENGINES PROMPTING A RECALL OF OVER 600,000. SAME ENGINE IS USED IN THIS KIA WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN RECALL ON KIA'S WITH THIS ENINE?
Engine, Jul 27, 2016
WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREET TO STOP SIGH, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. ATTEMPT TO JUMPER DID NOT WORK.THIS WAS SECOND INCIDENCE OF THIS PROBLEM FIRST TIME ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND ENGINE THEN WORKED,FOR 2 WEEKS. CAR IS NOW AT KIA DEALER FOR EVALUATION. I S PROBLEM METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL ? COULD THIS BE SAME PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI ENGINES THAT WERE RECALLED. SAME ENGINE ,SAME PLANT, SAME TIME FRAME. . .
Seats, Jul 25, 2016
THE LEVER TO FOLD DOWN THE SECOND ROW SEAT HAS GOTTEN STUCK SINCE I GOT THE CAR. IT WAS SO HARD TO OPERATE SOMETIMES THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH FORCE YOU USE THE SEAT BACK LEVER WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THE GEAR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE IS NOT WORKING. THEY SAY MANY KIA SORRENTOS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE SEAT IS IN THE DOWN POSITION AND I CAN NOT GET IT BACK UP. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL COST $350 TO HAVE THE LEVER REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEVER WORKED. THE MIDDLE SAFTEY BELT HAS NEVER WORKED EITHER. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAY IT IS FIXED. WHEN I GET HOME IT DOESN'T WORK.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2016
OUR 42 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.......... RT 84 IN NEWTOWN, CT........NO BRIDGES OR TRUCKS NEAR-BY..... 2 CHILDREN IN BACKSEAT......PANORAMIC SUNROOF.............. LOUD EXPLOSION AND SUNROOF SHATTERED OVER CHILDREN.
Seats, Jul 16, 2016
PASSENGER SIDE 2ND ROW SEAT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FOLD DOWN SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT. NOW IT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT FOLD DOWN AT ALL. THE LATCH SEEMS TO BE BROKEN. MY KIDS WERE STUCK IN THE 3RD ROW SEAT UNTIL I COULD REMOVE MY BABY'S CAR SEAT BASE TO LAY DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE 2ND ROW TO LET THEM CLIMB OUT. HAD I BEEN IN A HURRY TO GET THEM OUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO.
Structure, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Engine, Jul 12, 2016
IN THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE HAS LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING TWICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT. BUT SCARES ME TO THINK THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT'S NOT EASY WHEN YOU HAVE NO POWER TO STEER THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE. BOTH TIMES I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 20, 2016
BOUGHT MY KIA ON 6/17/2016 AND TODAY 3 DAYS LATER I AM DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTS POWERING DOWN WHILE I AM AT 70MPH. SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. THERE IS ALSO A JERKING FORWARD MOVEMENT THAT I GET, BUT TODAY WAS THE SCARIEST, THE CAR ACTUALLY STOPPED WITH NO POWER WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL ASIDE AND RESTART THE CAR. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS. M DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR. THIS IS CRAZY A 2013 CAR SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE ON THE ROAD. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
Engine, Jun 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/10/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PARTS 6/7/18*JB
Power train, Jun 15, 2016
THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 67,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS BAD. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE 2014 VERSION HAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON. WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES WHERE THE "GAS FULL" SENSOR CLICKS REPEATEDLY WHEN PUMPING THE GAS, EVEN AFTER JUST STARTING TO FILL A TANK LESS THAN 1/4 OF THE WAY FULL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.