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 16 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #172

Sep 052018

Sorento

  • miles

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

Kia refuses to replace the known defective engine. My husband took the car into the dealership for the SC147 recall and was told it passed, "for now" but it would have to continue to be checked. Kia knows the engine is defective and has placed myself and my family in an unsafe and potentially life threatening situation and I don't feel comfortable driving in a car where the engine could seize at any time without prior notice because Kia knows the engine is defective but is waiting for it to fail the test. That is wrong and it could happen prior to a periodic recheck and no one in their right mind would feel comfortable driving a vehicle like that and Kia is using deceptive practices by refusing to replace the engine that is knowingly defective. Not only that, but in order to sell the vehicle, which we now want to do because we do not feel safe in it, we would have to inform the potential buyer otherwise it would be negligent not to. A trade in value was given to us that was way below the trade in value and it is because of the open recall.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #171

Sep 062018

Sorento

  • miles
The car was taken in for a recall and I was told it passed the test, for now, but I need to continue to bring it in periodically for checks. Therefore the car is potentially dangerous and the engine could seize while driving. No one should be forced to drive a car like that and the recall is not complete but yet they refuse to remedy the problem. If the car was safe, then it wouldn't have to continue to be checked for the same problem. Kia knows there is a problem with the motor and refuses to fix it and instead is making people continue to bring the car in for future checks. The problem could still occur without any warning as they know the engine is defective. They are using deceptive practices and putting peoples lives at risk. I am stuck with an unsafe car and if I sell it, I would have to disclose that to the new buyer, to do otherwise would be very wrong, although Kia doesn't seem to think so. I was quoted an amount much lower than the trade in value because of it.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #170

Sep 042018

Sorento

  • miles
Recall notice for engine and engine cooling recall power train

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #169

Aug 242018

Sorento

  • 105,000 miles

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

I was traveling down a route 30 in greensburg, pa at approximately 45 mph. There was a slight clicking noise and then silence. No noise. The engine light came on. The gas pedal would not work. The power steering would not work. I was able to coast into the mall parking lot. I had my vehicle towed to allwine curry auto sevice, a local garage, for evaluation. I was told that the engine was shot and that a used one could be installed for $3500. We purchased our vehicle used from smail Kia in May 2017. We have our oil changed every 6000 miles. We have not had a oil light come on or any warning that there is a problem.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #168

Aug 202018

Sorento

  • 78,900 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving from New Jersey to Florida, the contact noticed that the oil level was low. The contact stopped to add oil to the vehicle. Once the contact arrived in Florida, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Kia dealer in Florida, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer with possible oil and engine failures. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling), but she was not informed of it when the vehicle was purchased in July of 2017. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,900.

- Mount Royal, NJ, USA

problem #167

Aug 232018

Sorento

  • 29,200 miles
While driving 60mph. The engine started to loose power and the engine seized causing a connecting rod to be ejected out of the bottom of the engine. The vehicle had 29,200 miles on it. This is the 2.4 engine. Not the theta engine, but the same bottom end as the theta engine!!

- Douglassville, PA, USA

problem #166

Apr 032018

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2013 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the manufacturer and dealer were both notified but could not offer a solution.

- Dania, FL, USA

problem #165

Aug 122018

Sorento

  • 5 miles
Spontaneous vehicle fire. Traveling on us-27 in Florida, stopped at red light and smoke started coming out from under the hood, proceeded through the light once it turned green to get to the side of the roadway when smoke started through the vents and flames came out from under the hood as well. Car became disabled and 3 of us jumped out and ran down the road, away from the car. The entire car went up in flames in a matter of seconds from exiting.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #164

Aug 062018

Sorento

  • 85,812 miles
PCM recall. Vehicle stalls at stops and slowing of vehicle. August 6 turned off engine would not restart after parking in driveway and turning engine off. August 4 and 5, 2018 vehicle stalled when I was coming to a stop on the road in town.

- Richfield Springs, NY, USA

problem #163

Mar 212017

Sorento

  • 63,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Sorento with a theta 2.4 liter engine experienced complete engine failure at 63,000 miles; on Tuesday 3/21/17. When my engine failed/heard loud engine noises I was driving on highway I-10 North in tucson AZ rush hour traffic, I had to coast over immediately to the side of the highway, very dangerous lucky no accident. I uncovered important information about Kia theta 2.4 liter engine problems. Spoke to Kia certified master technician; morgan that took apart my engine for warranty evaluation. He said they have been seeing this engine problem; it's failure of the #3 cylinder connecting rod, feels it's an engineering mistake, the port sizes for the oil flow are not sized properly, causing insufficient oil flow overtime and complete engine failure. My engine looked brand new, there was no sludge build up, and the oil pump looked brand new as well. I have attached pictures for proof. There were very small bronze colored metal flakes in the oil pan; he said it was like panning for gold in the oil pan. The metal flake erosion didn't happen overnight this was slowly happening with every mile being driven; the metal from the connecting rod bearings eroded overtime in small metal flakes and collected in the oil pan. I had peoria Kia in peoria, AZ do my last warranty inspection & maintenance service/oil change on my 2013 Kia Sorento in December 2016. I especially asked the service advisor to check out everything including the engine before the 60,000 mile second owner powertrain warranty was about to expired. Kia knew about the numerous past warranty claims on this 2.4 liter engine, a quick oil analysis would have shown metal debris particulates in the oil, indicating a serious engine problem developing. The metal shavings collecting in the oil pan that should have been detected beforehand.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #162

Apr 022018

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 125,874 miles

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

VIN is [xxx] 2009 Kia rio 5 sx- after driving to san diego and back to portland or, our engine began to putter and had issues accelerating and smelled like it was on fire. We also noticed a rattling sound that increasingly got louder. Once home the engine light came on so we took it to the shop we get all of maintenance done and they said that they spoke to Kia and from what they see and hear, we will need to get a new engine. They even said they would not work on the engine due to liability concerns. I then called a Kia dealership and they said it sounds like I need a knew engine, even with out bringing it to them. Then I took it to the Kia dealership I purchased it from. They said it would cost about 500 bucks to have the shop open the engine up but from the sounds and smell they said I will need to get a new engine. Kia has stated that my car is out of warranty and that the engine is not the one that was recalled and in a lawsuit already. The issue with that engine is the same as my engine now. A car that has been maintain religiously by the owners manual and is only 5 years old of which I owned it for 2 of those years, with 125874 miles should not fail like this. I have been trying to work with Kia corporate but they keep coming back with I will need to pay for the new engine because the failure was due to poor maintenance (not true) and because the engine I have is no longer being made or used by Kia. The cost is between 5000 and 10000 dollars and their good will offer was to pay 1200 of that. They haven't even opened up the engine to find out whats wrong.... information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #161

Sep 072016

Sorento

  • 50,155 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to Kia of East syracuse (6717 manlius center rd, East syracuse, NY 13057, (315) 701-5898), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,155.

- Jamesville, WI, USA

problem #160

May 152018

Sorento

  • 112,000 miles
Less than 3000 miles after Kia did a oil change covered under warranty for engine recall did I find out that my engine was completely out of oil. The dealership took my vehicle and after 3 months a new engine was put it. I got the vehicle back still experiencing problems with the vehicle rough idling, problems accelerating and sputtering while driving.

- Thurmont, MD, USA

problem #159

Jul 032018

Sorento

  • 61,947 miles
Engine seized up while driving on the highway causing me to have to dangerously cross over all lanes to the shoulder of the road. After getting it towed and looked at by mechanics in two different locations I was told that the engine needed to completely be replaced. Kia said they would not replace this even though the car is a 2013 with 61,947 miles on

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #158

Jul 072018

Sorento

  • 57,000 miles
Driving auto on I-75 South near ft. Myers, fl, car engine spontaneously caught fire. Entire auto burned to nothing but metal. Both myself and my wife were able to open the doors and get out although all power was lost as we were pulling over the side of the highway. Within four minutes the car was completely engulfed in fire.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #157

Jun 302018

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
My family had just returned from a North Carolina vacation on which we traveled in our Kia sorrento on the 23rd of June. We had been driving on major interstates without the slightest thought that our Kia was possibly unsafe to drive. More recently on the 29th of June, I just insisted that my 19-year-old daughter take my Kia to New Jersey because I felt that my car was a better choice than her older model Ford Ranger to go on that long trip. It was only a few hours after she returned home on June 30, 2018, that I was driving my husband and two children to a graduation party not far from my home when the car stopped working while I was operating the vehicle. Luckily, I was able to steer it off of the road with great effort and without any incident or harm to my family. I am very upset over the incident that occurred. On Monday, my husband spoke with the dealership where I purchased my car, and he found out about a recall on the engine. Needless to say, I am infuriated! I researched the recall and saw that on your website that the recall date is 3/31/2017. I do not feel that it is my responsibility to research recalls. I have my vehicle regularly serviced and inspected at my Kia dealer or one of its other affiliated dealerships and at no time was I informed that this recall was in effect. This recall has been issued for over a year, and I was not aware of the recall. It should be the mission of any automotive company to ensure the safety of the customers that purchase their products including vigilant notification efforts regarding recalls that could put drivers in life-threatening situations. I feel that Kia has not put forth their best effort to ensure the safety of my family. When I called Kia, I was told that there was one mailing and no follow up was conducted. I did not receive the notice in the mail. My car is at a Kia dealer waiting for an engine.

- Pottsville, PA, USA

problem #156

Jun 202018

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
While driving car home from a short trip, we started noticing a noise that seemed to sound like a small muffler leak. No loss of power or any warning lights were apparent at all. Continued driving thinking I could have the hole in muffler fixed the next day. After traveling some 30 miles to our exit, getting off the enter state, the car stalled, still no warning lights indicating anything was wrong, . the car restarted and I continued to drive home until it stopped again. I called for road assistance and had it towed to my mechanic.

- Whitesburg, TN, USA

problem #155

Jun 142018

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. In addition, the check engine warning indicator intermittently illuminated while driving. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to drive. The vehicle was taken to huffines Kia mckinney (1201 N central expy, mckinney, tx 75070, (888) 450-2260), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Caddo Mills, TX, USA

problem #154

May 252018

Sorento

  • 103,000 miles
103,000 miles on my 2013 Kia. I'm driving at about 40 mph on the interstate during rush hour traffic. The car dies. After having it towed and inspected, the diagnosis is, "seized engine". after dropping the oil pan, pieces of bearings and metal shavings are everywhere. This sounds to me exactly what Kia has recalled thousands of cars for. Why isn't my Kia under recall? for such a new car to have an engine seizure from worn out bearings seems like a faulty build.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #153

May 102018

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (pitre Kia of las cruces (955 S valley dr, las cruces, nm 88005, (575) 524-7721) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Loscruses, NM, USA

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