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:
71,737 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 19 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #107

Jun 272017

Sorento

  • 8,000 miles

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

When beginning a right-hand turn after stopping for red light, the engine quit and it took two attempts to restart it. The car was fully warmed-up and had 3/4 tank of gas, the weather was about 82 degrees and humid..

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #106

Jul 112017

Sorento

  • 114,000 miles
On July 11th 2017, my husband was driving home from work in his 2013 Kia Sorento on interstate 35 going 65 mph when he heard a loud noise coming from under the hood. He continued to drive to get to the rest stop which he did not make it the engine just died, no warning lights or anything, so he had to pulled off to the side of the road and called for a tow truck, the Kia was towed to the nearest mechanic which upon examination of the car determined that the engine seized up and would need to be replaced, they could replace it for $5000-6000 since they are a GM dealer we decided to have it towed to a Kia dealer who came to the same conclusion and would charge us $5875 for a used engine with 120,000 miles on it which is more than our car has on it or $7100 for a new engine. We have a 2.4 liter mpi which is not part of the recall but should be, there is no reason a 4 year old car with routine oil changes should blow and engine!

- Randall, IA, USA

problem #105

Jul 142017

Sorento

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Kia of slidell, Louisiana was made aware of the failure and replaced the motor in the engine, but the failure recurred. The contact was informed by the dealer that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Bagalousa, LA, USA

problem #104

Jul 012017

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles

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

The engine caught on fire while traveling down the interstate

- Resaca, GA, USA

problem #103

Jul 112017

Sorento

  • 77,223 miles
Engine lockd up making a clicking sound when started. It locked up steering and gear shift a couple times before it started the noise. Was told by dealership not covered by recall because manufactured in different plant than other Sorentos with exact same problem.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #102

Jun 302017

Sorento

  • 86,000 miles
My husband and I were driving North on I-49 in Louisiana when our 2013 Kia Sorento (approximately 86,000 miles) began making a clicking/knocking noise upon acceleration, the check engine light began blinking, and the engine immediately shut down. We pulled over to the shoulder, turned the vehicle off, and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the engine failed to restart. We turned our emergency lights on for cautionary purposes, but after approximately 30 minutes, the lights completely stopped working. There was evidence of oil leakage underneath the vehicle, as well as oil splatter underneath the hood of the vehicle near the engine and over the entire exterior of the vehicle, from the front hood to the back window. We had the vehicle towed to the nearest Kia dealership and were told by the service department that the bearings in the engine had failed, which resulted in "catastrophic engine failure, " and that engine will need to be replaced. We were also informed that the engine in our vehicle is a 2.4-L mpi engine, which is not part of the current recall; however, individuals at the dealership and with Kia customer service confirmed that the problems we experienced are the exact same problems that have been reported with the 2.4-L gdi engines that are part of this recall. We have been extremely diligent with oil changes, and had approximately 2000 miles until our next oil change, which we can support with documentation. Kia has denied our request for assistance because our vehicle is no longer under warranty.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #101

Jun 302017

Sorento

  • 46,963 miles

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

This a correction to post on July 9, 2017. Our 2013 Sorento has the theta II mpi (multi-point injection) and not theta II gdi (gasoline direct injection). Now I know why I haven't seen a recall letter. I still have a blown engine.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #100

Jun 302017

Sorento

  • 46,963 miles
Our Kia Sorento had 46963 miles. We are the second owners and have put 34K miles on it and have had the oil changed at approximately every 5K miles. The Kia Sorento stopped running while it was being driven at 55 mph on a two-lane road. I was being followed by a dually pick up towing a large boat. The car lost power and the "check engine" light came on. I had just enough time to turn on my emergency flashers and find a safe place to pull off the road. We had it towed to a repair shop in kingsland, tx, they cut the serpentine belt, couldn't get the engine to turn, told us that the oil pump had failed and the engine seized. We then had it towed to the dealer in austin, where they had a technician look at it and confirmed that the engine was blown. They said that the only way to know if there were metal shavings would be to pull the oil pan ($195) and that would only confirm that shavings were in the oil. To actually know what had caused engine failure they would have to pull the main and rod bearings ($400). They said that even if we did find that the engine failure was due to metal shavings that it would not be considered as part of recall SC147 because it wasn't manufactured at a "certain plant" in a "certain month". he was unable to tell me what plant and month. We have now found, through decoding our VIN, that this car was built in Georgia and has the theta II engine. They did offer to put in an engine from a wrecked Kia with 100K miles on it at a cost of $6700-$6800. The kbb value is $9800. We were told that the basic warranty had ended on April 24, 2017 and that the 5yr/60K warranty was not transferable to the second owner. We then found this: Https://www.NHTSA.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Sorento/SUV/fwd#manufacturercommunications showing that they had modified the warranty. No one at the Kia customer service center or at the dealership told us this.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #99

Jun 232017

Sorento

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. 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 vehicle was taken to pete Kia where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #98

Mar 092017

Sorento

  • 68,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Sorento should become a part of the recall that is currently involving Kia motors. We changed our oil and noticed it to be what my husband called a bit lumpy. Took our car into the local garage and they told us there was a leak on the top of the motor. We planned on fixing this the following payday, but instead left the dealership to a high pitched squeal and that was it the car never moved again. The rods were shot and caused motor to seize. Our local garage, bending wrenches believes there is evidence to support our claim. We have paid for a new engine to be placed in vehicle and are hoping to become a part of this recall and be reimbursed for this manufacturer defect. We have all paperwork from garage and also kept the oil that had been changed from the Kia showing that there is probably little fleks of the metal from the rods in this oil which caused it to become lumpy. Not sure where else to turn for help with this claim.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #97

Jun 142017

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 88,130 miles

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

Kia Sorento 2013 88K miles, going down highway, loss of power, light clunking noise. Coasted to stop. Towed to a shop. They said timing chain not lubricated, broke and destroyed cylinder head. Can't get replacement motor because of a freeze on selling these motors.

- Albion, MI, USA

problem #96

Apr 012017

Sorento

  • 78,000 miles
Kia recall: While driving at 60 mph on a two lane highway, the engine seized up on my 2013 Kia Sorento with 78000 miles on it. The company that rebuilt the engine said it was due to a loss of oil pressure. However the oil was full and clean and was 1000 miles below its next scheduled oil change. The engine did not make any noises prior to the failure. Kia states that the VIN # on my Sorento is not part of the recent recall on their engines that are failing in this same manner. I had the engine rebuilt (at a very hefty price) and am looking for reimbursement.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #95

Apr 192017

Sorento

  • 38,000 miles
The vehicle has 38000 miles on it and already needs a new engine. Kia will not replace.

- La Porte, TX, USA

problem #94

Jul 162016

Sorento

  • 640,000 miles
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..

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #93

Apr 082017

Sorento

  • 99,500 miles
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!

- Martinsville, IN, USA

problem #92

Feb 142017

Sorento

  • 56,000 miles
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.

- Greenville Jct, ME, USA

problem #91

Feb 202017

Sorento

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Ridgefield, NJ, USA

problem #90

Feb 102017

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #89

Jan 042017

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
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.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #88

Oct 102016

Sorento

  • 40,178 miles
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.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

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