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.
Visibility, Apr 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DROVE AT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CUTS TO HIS HANDS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED CUTS ON THE BACK AND HANDS. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SUFFERED CUTS TO THE HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,700.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2014
04-21-2014 @ 5:30 AM. CAR WILL NOT START. NO ELECTRICAL PRESENT ON ANY SYSTEM-NOTHING. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE AND THEY SUGGESTED A JUMPSTARTED WHICH WE DID AND THE CAR STARTED. I RAN THE CAR FOR AN HOUR OR SO WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP AND DESCRIBED THE EVENTS TO THEM AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SIMPLY A DEAD BATTERY. NEXT MORNING (YESTERDAY), THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD ONCE MORE. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WANTED TO JUMPSTARTED IT AGAIN. I REFUSED AND TOLD THEM TO SEND ME A TOW. THEY DID AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP, 65 MILES AWAY. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY. THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY FOR 3-4 HOURS, TESTED THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND PRONOUNCED IT "FIXED". I LEFT IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND PICKED IT UP THIS MORNING (TODAY). IT STARTED AND MY WIFE IS NOW DRIVING IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS THE BATTERY AND I EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN BUT THE DEALERSHIP'S SHOP WILL DO NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I'LL KEEP YOU INFORMED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Apr 3, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS AROUND 40MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED COMPLETELY FINE. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT FINDING ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Apr 1, 2014
I HAVE A 2013 KIA SORENTO THAT HAS LOST POWER NUMEROUS (10-15) TIMES. IT HAS OCCURRED IN MULTIPLE SETTINGS, AT LIGHTS, DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, BUT MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE AT 65-70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS CAR IS GOING TO GET ME, ONE OF MY GRANDBABIES OR SOMEONE ELSE KILLED! ONCE I TURN ON MY HAZZARDS AND GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD/MEDIAN, TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON IT STARTS AND CONTINUES ON DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY TOLD ME THE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK WAS BAD AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M TAKING IT IN FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING AS IT HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN THIS MORNING, WONDER WHAT THEY'LL TELL ME THIS TIME?! I SHOULD HAVE STUCK WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD CHEVROLET, NEVER HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM. PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE AND FIND A FIX" BEFORE" PEOPLE ARE KILLED! *TR
Visibility, Mar 29, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LOUD POP OCCURRED AND THE REAR SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE WERE AROUND. STOPPED AND CHECKED THE GROUND WHERE IT HAPPENED AND FOUND NO OBJECTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SUNROOF TO SHATTER. SUNROOF APPEARS TO HAVE SHATTERED WITHOUT EXTERNAL CONTACT OF ANY KIND. *TR
Engine, Mar 27, 2014
ENGINE STALLED A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES WHILE IN MOTION SINCE 6/13/12, THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF THIS NEW CAR. THIS CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. KIA HAS SAID IT CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Mar 24, 2014
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 35 MPH IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF! I ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT! *TR
Engine, Mar 23, 2014
WE HAVE 2013 KIA SORENTO, IT IS BEEN FEW MONTHS WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF SHUTTING ENGINE DOWN WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW SPEED AROUND 35 TO 40 MILES SOMETIME LESS AND SOMETIME STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ALSO WE NOTICED IF WE GO OVER THE STREET BUMPS OR DOWN HILL LIKE ENTERING UNDERGROUND PARKING. BEEN IN DEALER TOO MANY TIMES, BEEN CONTACT BY CORPORATE OFFICE; EVERY TIME WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEIR ANSWER WAS, WE DROVE WE COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND WE HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, BECAUSE THEY ARE DRIVING IN HWY WITH 70 OR HIGHER SPEED. FEW MONTHS BACK DEALER CALLED AND INFORMED US WE HAVE RECALL BY KIA AND IT IS RELATED TO YOUR PROBLEM, THEY FLUSH THE SOFTWARE AND LOAD NEW. CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL FEW DAYS AGO SHUTS DOWN TWO TIMES IN THREE DAYS IN MALLS PUBLIC PARKING PLACE AND ONCE AT STOP SIGN AND BOTH TIMES CAUSE PROBLEM FOR OTHER CARS. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO KIA DEALER AND THEY CALLED US BACK AGAIN WITH NO RESULT. I LEFT THE CAR AT DEALER AND NOT GOING TO GET IT BACK UNTIL THEY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE OR GIVE US OUR DOWN PAYMENT BACK. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR MY SELF AND MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILY BUT I GUESS KIA CORP DOESN'T CARE AND JUST WANTS TO MAKE MONEY. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 17, 2014
DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 62 IN ALLIANCE OHIO 44601 ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 35 MPH IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND LOOK BACK AND SEEN THE PANORAMIC WINDOW WAS SHATTERED NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING HITTING IT LIGHT TRAFFIC. *TR
Engine, Mar 14, 2014
ENGINE DIES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. ONCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND ALLOWING PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME. AS I STOPPED FOR A PERSON THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART IN ORDER TO MOVE. SEEMED FINE AFTER THAT. SECOND TIME WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CRAWLING ALONG AND STOPPING. AS I SLOWLY MOVED FORWARD CAR DIED. AGAIN HAD TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. THIRD TIME WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. STARTED TO TURN RIGHT FROM STOP SIGN AND CAR DIED. AGAIN HAD TO RESTART. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IF I WAS STOPPED THEN PULLED INTO FAST ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT DIED I COULD BE HIT. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS. KIA NEEDS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2014
WHILE DECELERATING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY,BUT THE PROBLEMS TILL HAPPENING SO MANY TIMES,THEY ALSO DID A UPDATE ON THE COMPUTER AND AGAIN THE PROBLEM STILL THERE....I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR.I KNOW AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND SEEMS THAT KIA DOESN'T CARE SINCE THEY KEEP SAYING WE NEED DUPLICATED..THIS HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WITCH I COULD BE INVOLVED INA SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY KIDS... *TR
Visibility, Mar 4, 2014
CLEAR DAY, FOUR LANE HIGHWAY (97-WASHINGTON STATE) MINIMAL TRAFFIC, THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE. FLYING GLASS, NO INJURIES, BUT FRAYED NERVES. SUNROOF NOT ON THE FAILED COMPONENT LIST. ACTUALLY A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Engine, Mar 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,903. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH THE CAR'S ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS IN THE LANE NEXT TO THE FAST LANE IN LOS ANGELES. I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED OVER ABOUT 5 LANES TO THE SHOULDER. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I HAD FOUR KIDS IN THE CAR DRIVING HOME FROM MAGIC MOUNTAIN! I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED FINE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME ALTHOUGH I DID STAY IN THE SLOW LANES IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY. ON SUNDAY MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR A FEW MILES TO HAVE LUNCH. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN HE LEFT BUT THEN TURNED OFF WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY HOME. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A COMPUTER UPDATE AND THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LET ME KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS AND THE COMPUTER UPDATE HAS WORKED. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA KNOWING THIS HAS HAPPENED AND NOT SENDING A LETTER OR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO HAVE US COME IN AND GET THE UPDATE DONE. WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH. I HOPE THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE FIRST KIA I HAVE OWNED AND HAVE LOVED THE CAR UP UNTIL THIS POINT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 16, 2014
ON 2/15/2014 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM ELKO, NV TO SPRING CREEK, NV AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF IMPLODED. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY WITH NO RAIL OR HAIL. THE SUNROOF DID NOT HAVE PRIOR DAMAGE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF IT GETTING HIT BY AN EXTERNAL OBJECT; THERE WAS NO IMPACT SOUND AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE CAR. THE GLASS SIMPLY IMPLODED AND FELL NOT THE VEHICLE ON TOP OF MY WIFE AND I, ALONG WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BARS OF THE SUNROOF. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 7, 2014
I HAVE A 2013 KIA SORENTO THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON IT. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HIT US FROM BEHIND BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. SO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WE STARTED TO GO AND NOTICED WE HAD NO POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND CALLED AAA AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLING THEM WHAT HAPPENED. SO ONCE IT GOT THERE THE SERVICE TECH AND IT PROBABLY WAS THE COMPUTER AND IT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED . I STAYED THERE FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WHILE THEY DID THE UPDATE AND THEN THEY TEST DROVE IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SO THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY SO THEY REPLACED IT AND TEST DROVE IT AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS THE PCM . NOT TOTALLY SURE WHAT THAT IS. HE SAYS IT WAS 1500$ PART IN THE COMPUTER THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING . BUT THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK DOING THE REPAIRS AND NOW IS RUNNING GOOD. THEY ALSO HAVE ME A RENTAL CAR. SO IN ALL THE DEALERSHIP DID A GOOD JOB FIXING MY CAR AND WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL IT WAS FIXED RIGHT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 1, 2014
DRIVING AT @ 70 MPH ON SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC. HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG AND THEN THE CRACKLING OF GLASS. REACHED BACK TO FEEL THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND IT MOVED. PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT TO SEE THAT THE ENTIRE ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITH SEVERE CRACKING AROUND THE SIDES AND BACK BUT NO VISIBLE SIGN OF DAMAGE FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND 34F WITH CLIMATE CONTROL SET AT 72F. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THERE WERE NO VEHICLES WITHIN .25 MILES IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OVERPASSES AT THE LOCATION. ..UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 17, 2014
DRIVING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY SCREECHED TO HALT (I DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES), ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALL PARTS OF VEHICLE WERE DISABLED (UNABLE TO STEER, START, ETC.) I WAS THROWN FORWARD DESPITE SEAT BELT ON DUE TO SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP. THANKFULLY, I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY AT THE MOMENT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE WITH IGNITION ISSUES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE MY DRIVE, AS WELL AS CONTACT DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT TO 'REPAIR' THIS RAMPANTLY UNSAFE 2013 KIA SORRENTO ENGINE ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2013 WITH THE NOTION THAT KIA HAS A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND AFTER REVIEWING OTHER EERILY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I VEHEMENTLY DISAGREE WITH THE RATING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I DRIVE TO AND FROM PATIENT'S HOMES FOR A LIVING, OFTEN TRAVELING FREEWAYS AND IN REMOTE AREAS. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY ISSUES WITH MOTOR PRIOR TO 'COMPUTER UPGRADE' REQUESTED AT LAST VISIT TO DEALER. I AM HOPING THAT KIA RESOLVES THIS OBVIOUSLY RAMPANT ISSUE BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH RESULTS FROM THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NO LONGER TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL KIA CAN REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I AM TAKING IN TO THE SAME DEALER WHO DID 'UPGRADE' TODAY TO 'REPAIR' IF POSSIBLE. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING KIA VIA PHONE AND EMAIL CONTACT AS WELL AS THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. ALL NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS ENGINE FAILURE ISSUE IS SERIOUS AND COULD BE FATAL IF NOT DEALT WITH SOON. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 17, 2013
I WAS STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURN LANE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO PASS SO THAT I COULD PULL INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHEN SUDDENLY EVERYTHING SHUT OFF. I HAD FIRST NOTICED THE RADIO HAD SHUT OFF AND THEN I REALIZED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN AS I COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THE RESTARTING IT, I WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. AS THIS WAS THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. SIMILAR TO OTHERS HERE WHO HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS, THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR EVEN AFTER TEST DRIVING IT AND HAVING IT CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE THING UNTIL I READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS HERE. KIA REALLY NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 12, 2013
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN MY RADIO TURNED OFF AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A ONE TIME THING BECAUSE THEY WE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I WENT WITH IT AS THIS IS THE 3RD KIA I HAVE OWNED. ON 12/5/13 I WENT TO TURN MY CAR ON AND IT DIDN'T START, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS TRIED AGAIN AND SHE STARTED. THE VERY NEXT DAY 12/6/13 I DROVE TO LA WITH MY SON AND ON MY WAY BACK DOWN (90 MILES AWAY FROM HOME) THE RADIO WENT OUT AGAIN AND MY CAR FELT VERY SLUGGISH. I COULDN'T CALL MY HUSBAND AS MY BLUETOOTH IS CONNECTED TO MY RADIO AND I WAS ALREADY ON THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO WENT OUT AGAIN. NOW TODAY 12/11/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. AS SOON AS I GET OFF THE FREEWAY I AM AT A STOP SIGN, I STOP. WHEN IT IS MY TURN TO GO IS WHEN MY CAR DECIDES TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN! ALL THE LIGHTS FLICKERED, THE RADIO WENT OUT AND MY CAR WAS STILL STUCK IN DRIVE, ON A SLIGHT HILL. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON, PUT THE EMERGENCY BREAK ON AS I DIDN'T WANT MY CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR ABOUT 4 TIMES I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. BUT SHE WAS SHAKING THE ENTIRE TIME UNTIL I FINALLY PARKED THE CAR AND WENT TO MY APPT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR SAFETY AS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF MY OTHER KIA'S. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY. AFTER READING ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I AM LOOKING AT KIA TO RECALL THIS CAR. THEY SHOULDN'T WAIT UNTIL A FATALITY OCCURS TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. I LIVE THE CALIFORNIA SO AFTER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON IT WILL FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW BUT MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ELSE ESPECIALLY MY 3 CHILDREN THAT I AM CONSTANTLY TRANSPORTING, AND MYSELF ON MY 140 MILE DRIVE DAILY. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE! *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 22, 2013
WE WERE WESTBOUND ON US 60 IN TEMPE AZ. WHEN THE SUNROOF IMPLODED SCATTERING GLASS ON VEHICLES BEHIND US. LUCKY FOR US THE INSIDE SHADE WAS CLOSED PREVENTING THE GLASS FROM COMING INSIDE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS 73 THE A/C WAS SET AT 70 SPEED WAS 65 MPH.I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER WHO SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT KIA WAS HAVING WITH THE SUNROOFS. *TR
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Engine, Nov 21, 2013
WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AND BREAKING THE ENGINE STOPPED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. TOOK MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED. TOOK IN TO DICK HANNAH DEALER TO CHECK CODES, AFTER 2 HOURS THEY COULD FIND NOTHING AND HAD NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS WHERE THIS NHTSA SITE REPORTS 14, NOW 15, OF THE SAME INSTANCES. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION & THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT........REALLY. THIS IS OUR FIRST AND PROBABLY LAST KIA. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, FAULTY BACK SEAT LATCH, LEAKY POWER STEERING FITTING DRAINING MOST OF THE FLUID OUT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 31, 2013
2013 KIA SORENTO LX - V6 AWD PURCHASED 3/2013. ON 10/19 AT 11.5K MILES ON VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THEN LOST MOST FUNCTION AT 45 MPH . CAR LIMPED HOME WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND SPEWING FLUID.HE NEXT MORNING (SAT)CALLED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED ME LATER IN THE DAY TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AND ORDERED ON MONDAY. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED WITH NEW TRANS AND CAR WOULD BE READY ON WED. THE DEALER CALLED ME A SAID THE WATER PUMP WAS CORRODED AND WAS OUT OF COOLANT. A WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND TRANS. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON THURS AND NOTICED FLUID UNDER THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING, HE STATED THEY OVERFILLED AND NOW THE PROBLEM SOLVED (FRI) Y CONFIDENCE SHAKEN AND NOT FEELING SAFE, I TRADED IN THE VEHICLE (GOT FAIR MARKET VALUE) ,FOR A LEASED NEWER MODEL. I HAVE LOST $7,000 FOR OWNING THE VEHICLE 7.5 MONTHS, WITH 11.5K MILES. I AM ARGUING WITH KIA MOTORS FOURSOME COMPENSATION, BUT THEIR ATTITUDE IS THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, SUGGESTED DEALER DISCUSSION. I AM CONTINUING A DIALOGUEWITH KIA, THEY NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR
Engine, Oct 30, 2013
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.. I WAS LUCKY TO STOP THE CAR ON THE ROAD SIDE. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LINE SAID NOT GO OFF.DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A MILE AND LOST POWER AGAIN. REPEATED THE SAME STEP AND RESTARTED. REACHED HOME . THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW WITH 10 MILES. LAST MONTH THE FAN WAS NOT TURNING OFF EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. TODAY'S INCIDENT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT IF I WAS ON THE LEFT LAN. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 20, 2013
WE PURCHASED THE 2013 KIA SORENTO AWD 2/2013 W/300 MILES ON IT. AT THE END OF APRIL, WE WENT TO DEATH VALLEY (ROUND TRIP WAS APPROX 350 MILES.). WHEN WE RETURNED TO TOWN, WE STOPPED AT THE GROCERY STORE TO PICK UP SUPPER SUPPLIES. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, BEING IN THE STORE FOR APPROX. 30 MINUTES, & THEN CAME BACK OUT, WHEN WE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS ONLY HITTING ON HALF THE CYLINDERS. WE IMMEDIATELY CUT THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. IT SEEMED FINE. WE FIGURED IT WAS PROBABLY A FLUKE. RIGHT AFTER THIS HAPPENED THOUGH, I NOTICE A HUGE DECREASE IN MY FUEL MILEAGE. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS GETTING 18/19 MPG/CITY AND 24-34 MPG/HWY (DEPENDING ON HOW FAR I WENT, OUT TO DEATH VALLEY W/NO STOPS, WE GOT 34). NOW I WAS LUCKY TO GET 13/14 MPG/CITY AND 16-18 MPG/HWY. WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA GARAGE, BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WASN'T THROWING ANY CODES. WE SUFFERED WITH PAYING MORE FOR GAS FOR 6 MONTHS UNTIL WE WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN OCT AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THERE WAS AN "ECM" UPDATE. AFTER THEY SHARED WITH US THAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY HELP W/THE FUEL MILEAGE, I WAS ECSTATIC! IT WENT RIGHT BACK UP TO WHERE IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY! THEN, THE THING WITH THE IGNITION HAPPENED AGAIN! ONLY WORSE THIS TIME, JUST A FEW DAYS AGO! MY FUEL MILEAGE WENT BACK DOWN TO WHAT I SHARED ABOVE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEM TRYING ALL DAY TO REPLICATE WHAT HAPPENED (WHICH TOOK MONTHS FOR IT TO HAPPEN W/US), THEY FINALLY DID THE UPDATE, AGAIN. MY FUEL MILEAGE IS BACK UP TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. I WANT TO BE HAPPY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN YET AGAIN. THERE HAVE BEEN TO OTHER NOTICEABLE ISSUES THAT I HAVE SHARED IN OTHER SECTIONS. ONE ABOUT VIBRATION WHILE IN NEUTRAL/PARK & ONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING AFTER PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON. *TR