CarComplaints.com Notes: There are just too many engine stalls or shuts down while driving reports to feel good about the Sorento. Especially when those things happen, on average, at just over 32,000 miles. Hopefully things will change.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 31
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,630 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 13 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #232

May 192019

Sorento

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down rt 121 at about 45/50 miles per hour, on a straight section of road, when the automobile just died. I managed to coast into a safe area. The power steering and brakes were not working. Attempted to get a battery boost and the tow truck operator said it sounded like it was turning over dry but would not start. Then the car was towed to mechanic falls garage.

- Mechanic Falls, ME, USA

problem #231

May 012019

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled, there was an oil leak, and a loud abnormal noise was heard. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #230

May 062019

Sorento

  • 92,000 miles
Takata recall. I was driving in the freeway when it started to make a noise immediately I pulled out to park but it got stuck.and power off. I tried to turned on but didn't work. I had to called.the tow to bring it at home

- Huntington Park, CA, USA

problem #229

Apr 292019

Sorento

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My son was driving our 2013 Kia Sorento with 57,000 miles on it when it started making a strange noise. He pulled over to check under the hood. He didn't see anything obvious and preceded to drive home. As he pulled out onto the city street the Kia stalled. We then had to call a tow truck, get it towed to the Kia in amarillo, tx. The dealership said that the engine had locked and it needs to be replaced. They also said that our Kia was not covered by the recall! even though it is stalling just like all the other models included in the recall.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #228

Aug 012018

Sorento

  • 6,500 miles
I was driving in a highway to work, when the car started to slow down, puttered a bit quickly shut off and on- and then the engine picked up and started making a noise. I pushed on the gas and the engine churned up smoke and the car started slowing down as cars were coming up behind me on the highway! one car stopped quickly behind me, as the car came to a slow pace. The engine didn't turn off but then it clinked for the rest of the 400ft as I pulled in and parked it. I could only go 10miles per hour or slower the rest of the highway.

- Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #227

Apr 242019

Sorento

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to russ darrow Mazda (3520 108th street, greenfield, wi 53228, (888) 698-9960), but was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fee. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be taken apart to locate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 152,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #226

Apr 232019

Sorento

  • 130,789 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car was in park idling and the engine suddenly stopped. I was able to get it restarted and started to drive home and it felt like it was going to die. I applied pressure to the gas pedal and there was nothing and could not stop. The engine died with no lights or any warnings on. I had to have car towed to local mechanic due to the dealership being 50 miles away. He looked at it and stated that it was due to intermittent engine stall, that it should fall under Kia recall and that I needed to get it to dealership. He tried to contact a local dealership and was not able to talk with anyone. He stated I needed to get it to a dealership. I had it towed to dealership to be looked at. It was put on diagnose, scanned with no codes coming up. He stated they drove it for awhile and nothing happen, cannot diagnose it. This is the third time that I had to have it taken to dealership for this reason after the engine was replaced (under the recall as well) and I cannot get anywhere with it. I am afraid that it will stall while driving on the highway with my grandbabies.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #225

Apr 212019

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was no oil in the vehicle and the oil warning indicator never illuminated. The vehicle was towed to kingdom Kia (2600 N ishop ave, rolla, mo 65401) where it was determined that the engine needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #224

Feb 272019

Sorento

  • 88,299 miles
The engine failed to start. The vehicle was parked on the street during the work day. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership. We were initially told by the Kia dealership that a new starter was needed. Once installed the dealership said the engine ceased. The engine only had 88,299 miles on it. The motor had to be replaced. There was no indication that something was wrong with the engine. Routine maintenance was made to the vehicle. Luckily we bought an extended warranty we we purchased this used vehicle and there was no out of pocket expense.however you are at the warranty company's mercy on whether or not the repair is covered. Although it took some time, we were covered.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #223

Oct 012018

Sorento

  • miles
The engine began consuming noticeable amounts of oil around 80,000 miles. Confirmed no leaks or defects where present with mechanics & dealership. At 100,00 miles the engine burns off 4-5 quarts in less than 1000 miles. This requires constant monitoring, risk of engine failure, & high cost of maintenance.

- Neosho, WI, USA

problem #222

Mar 112019

Sorento

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On cold start up, car expels grayish-blue smoke. Has a strong rattle, like bearings rattling, then subsides once engine is warm. Car does not leak oil, has had routine maintenance. Has never over-heated. Found recall # SC147 which appears to detail bearing issue but is not listed as a recall for my VIN#. fear of fire or engine seizing.

- West Union, SC, USA

problem #221

Mar 272019

Sorento

  • 79,112 miles
On 27 March 2019 I parked my 2013 Kia Sorento at the post office. When I returned, the car would not start. I called aaa who tested the battery and found it ok. The driver suggested it was the starter. I had to car towed to my regular mechanic as that is where I buy tires and figured I would have the tires rotated at the same time. This place tried a starter and that did not solve the problem. The next day they tried two additional starters before determining that my engine had seized. Please note that I have 79,112 miles on this vehicle and have maintained it properly. I have all my service records. Ultimately I had to have the car towed (at my expense) to the dealership. After not hearing from the dealership for 2 days, I called them. They said they did not know anything. I then called Kia customer service and obtained a "case number" which is 13103094. No one at the dealership will tell me anything about the status of my car and when I call customer service I am told that I have to wait a minimum of 4 working days. In the meantime I must travel by uber which is getting quite expensive. I read an article in forbes about a recall in 2017 about this same situation, but apparently in a different engine. I am appalled that this should happen in an engine with so few miles. I do not know what recourse I have.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #220

Mar 152019

Sorento

  • 78,300 miles
The vehicle just turned off going down the interstate and even on local roads. See others who have experienced the same problem.

- Lemoyne, PA, USA

problem #219

Mar 162019

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
"engine failure recall" and rod bearings not properly working. Was on the highway driving when car started making a tisking noise, it would get louder as accelerating so I began to exit the highway. I became increasingly loud and the temperature starting to increase. I parked and at this time it was shaking and very loudly. Recall stated correct year and model but not covered! engine not replaced however the problem is in line with the recall.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #218

Mar 102019

Sorento

  • 72,600 miles
While driving on a highway I heard a loud rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. I pulled over and ended up having the vehicle towed. The issue was diagnosed and will require complete engine replacement.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

problem #217

Feb 092019

Sorento

  • 145,000 miles
Engine has been diagnosed as failing by dealer and independent source. The engine, a 2.4L, is exhibiting the same characteristics of previously recalled Kia 2.4L engines. There is a loud noise coming form engine like a rattle after the vehicle has been driven a short period and has reached a hot temperature. Noise gets louder and more consistent as vehicle continues to be driven. The dealer wants over $ $9,000 to replace engine with another used engine. This engine needs to be included in the recall.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #216

Mar 072019

Sorento

  • 144,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Sorento has been frequently decreasing power while driving. Rpms would drop to 0. in some cases the vehicle would continue to remain at the current speed, but with the RPM at 0. in other cases, the vehicle would rapidly decelerate and stall out forcing me to pull over and restart the vehicle. This has occurred approximately 20-30 times over the last few months and has occurred while in traffic, putting myself and my daughter at great risk for an accident. There were 2 times it was very difficult to restart the vehicle. In some of these cases the check engine light has turned on but not in all instances. It is beginning to become a more frequent occurrence and I am afraid it is going to happen at a time there is a vehicle too close to me or I am not going to be able to safely pull over. When I had a mechanic run the engine code he said it came up a crank sensor issue. He informed me my make and model vehicle has received numerous complaints about this decrease in speed issue and that it could also lead to the vehicles catching fire. This is a great concern for me as I have a 5 year old child, am an emt and also a child passenger safety technician. When I contacted a local Kia dealer, they pretty much stated there was nothing they could do since there is not a recall at this time. I am very concerned as Kia are typically family vehicles and countless lives of children and their parents are being put at risk. Hopefully further investigations will be conducted and appropriate recalls issued so that there does not need to be any further deaths or injuries. Please keep me posted as to the outcome of this and other related complaints.

- North Cape May, NJ, USA

problem #215

Mar 062019

Sorento

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While exiting a highway, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and became stuck. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road as it lost electrical power. The vehicle finally stopped and the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine seized and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V240000 (engine and engine cooling), but the contact did not receive a notification. The contact also stated that he took the vehicle to the Kia store (5325 preston hwy, louisville, ky 40213, (866) 627-6887) to have the gear shifter replaced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V626000 (power train). The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #214

Mar 042019

Sorento

  • 111,000 miles
Car began burning excess oil at approximately 100,000 miles, began spewing blue and gray smoke when starting cold, at 111,000 miles took for diagnostic test at romeo Kia kingston. Technician confirmed engine needs replacing. Although the 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter engines are covered under a current recall, this is a 3.5 liter V6 engine. Contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and was denied any assistance even though the issue is the exact same as is covered under the current recall. The car was well maintained and a modern day engine should not fail at such low mileage.

- West Hurley, NY, USA

problem #213

Jan 032019

Sorento

  • 163,000 miles
While driving on the expressway (approx. 70mph) the car began to knock from engine loud. Also there was a lot noise I can't begin to explain. Immediately it smelled like there was a burning smell. There was black smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no issues or indications of any problems before this happened. Luckily I was coming up on a rest stop and I got it into the lot and called a tow truck. Of course I start making calls as soon as possible. Pull up complaints about the car. But I have one of the sool VIN #S not covered under the recall for the same exact thing that thousands are getting help with. Still have to pay for the car. Can't drive the car. 2 months now of being told there's nothing I can do.

- Jackson, MI, USA

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