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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 6 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #367

Jan 182021

Sorento

  • 136,000 miles

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

While driving, my truck stalled while turning into a parking lot. Immediately after the stall, the engine light came on and started blinking, shortly after the battery light came on as well. I parked the car in a safe location to check the vehicle. The vehicle would not turn over. I needed to jump the car several times in order for it to turn back on. The engine light still appears blinking as I drove it to get a diagnostic reading. While driving the car, leaving idle the car would jerk and have a hard time moving back into motion. The code read P1236 knock sensor fault/sensor bad. My car had just come out of Kia two weeks prior in full health. This issue came out of no where.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #366

Jul 222019

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
My car is an ebony black 2013 Kia Sorento. On July 22nd, 2019, I was driving the car to atlanta ga and it just came to a deceleration mode and stopped in he middle of the road. I got it towed by aaa and brought it home and the sent it to the dealership. I was called and told by the dealership service department that my engine is knocking and it is gone. I brought the car home and it had been sitting on my drive way ever since, late last year, I saw a news item recalling a litany of Kia vehicles and which I believed mine was inclusive based on the problem they claimed it is developing or had developed and the year models. I called NHTSA today and was told my VIN number is not inclusive. I do not see why a car of less than 6 years old, with 135,000 miles on it without any engine sign will stop in the middle of the road without any check engine sign and warning. I still have the car on the drive way and start it to warm it up. This incident or break down occurred before hogansville exit on the I-85 North in Georgia. Thanks in advance.

- Tuskegee, AL, USA

problem #365

Jan 182021

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
My engine light went on and I immediately took it to my mechanic. There was no oil in my car, even though the oil light never came on. Two independent mechanics said I need a new engine. Even though my engine has a lifetime warranty due to a class action suit, the Kia dealership said they could not open a claim unless my engine seizes up, which can happen anytime, anywhere. I told them I do not feel comfortable allowing that to happen, and they again said there is nothing they can do, that Kia is no longer covering excessive oil consumption as of Nov. 2020.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #364

Aug 012020

Sorento

  • 126,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the oil sensor was not operable and the check engine light wa illuminated while operating the vehicle. The failure was caused by an oil leak next to the engine main seal. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was concerned that the engine would overheat and catch on fire. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- West Bridewater, MA, USA

problem #363

Dec 302020

Sorento

  • 128,000 miles
While driving on highway at about 65 mph loud knocking from engine, then stopped. Shop said that engine had seized

- Easthampton, MA, USA

problem #362

Nov 122020

Sorento

  • 199 miles
My engine light came on (had that ck..repalced the gas cap) then my car begin to make a strange noise. I had it checked out at a ntb and the techician suggested that I take my vechile to the dealership (they were limited to helping). I had an appt at Kia of easton columbus Ohio on 11/12 or 11/13. I recall my car begining to shake while drivingni was on a main busy street leaving walmart on a scale from 1 to 5 the shaking was a 2..it became a little worse...I called my da and said my car is acting really strange I think we should take it now so we did..my car was shaking even worse its at a 5 now and then smokoing some I was on a main busy street as my da followed me to drop my car off. The dealerrship was closed. My mom called the next day and said there is a recall on 2013 Kia sedrento engines however the only info I know is that the enegine was knockin and internal damage.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #361

Sep 142020

Sorento

  • 136,000 miles

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

Was on the freeway going about 60 miles all of a sudden the car completely shuts down without any warning. All of the lights on the dashboard came on. Had the car towed to a repair shop and was told the engine blow. On 9/17/20 had the car towed to a Kia dealer where it had been for the last 3 months now going on 4 months

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #360

Dec 282020

Sorento

  • 123,000 miles
At 123K miles, my engine shut off in the middle of a mountain pass. Restarted with no issues except oil light flashed on then off. Checked the oil and I had no oil, completely dry. I have always done timely maintenance, have hauled a uhaul across country 5 years ago, never burned oil. Had the car checked for oil leaks and there are none. Researched the problem with burning G oil and across the board, regardless of the Kia year, Kia's cars have this problem, yet no recalls or acknowledgement feom Kia that there is a major problem. Dealerships are lying to owners.

- Espanola, NM, USA

problem #359

Jul 152017

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, she began to notice a darkish gray smoke emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact immediately pulled off to the shoulder as her husband went to inspect the hood. Upon opening the hood, flames began to emit from engine and the contact and her mother immediately exited the vehicle. The authorities were called to the scene and the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. No injuries were sustained as a result of the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and destroyed. The contact called trophy Kia of carson(22020 recreation rd, carson, ca 90745) where they informed her that they were unaware of such failure and offered no further assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000(engine); however, her vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #358

Sep 062020

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light, flames were suddenly present coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames and filed a fire report. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer jim shorkey Kia located at 1050 pittsburgh rd, union town, pa 15401 were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the engine was previously replaced under the NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000(engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 150,000. Invalid VIN.

- Brownsville, PA, USA

problem #357

Nov 032020

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine, without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence to inspect the vehicle. Upon inspection, the mechanic recommended that the vehicle be serviced by an authorized Kia dealer. The vehicle was towed to stokes Kia (202 S. goose creek blvd, goose creek, SC 29445) to be diagnosed. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to pay for the parts while the vehicle owner pay the labor cost. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine) which was linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Monks Corner, SC, USA

problem #356

Nov 032020

Sorento

  • 89,000 miles
The car has cut while I was driving on a city street, it has cut off while sitting at a traffic light ; it also drags like its pulling a heavy load. As I was driving on the highway the Kia decides to almost cut off, but has a dragging affect to it and the picture of the tires turning comes up; so then I have to pull off the road, cut off the ignition, re-crank the vehicle and the sluggishness or pulling of the vehicle changes to a normal mode.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #355

Nov 012020

Sorento

  • 144,000 miles
I noticed that there is oil leak and soaking of the engine surface by chance when I was replacing the air filter and doing a regular cleaning. Before that I notice a roaring sound coming from the motor when I am driving my car may be 2 months ago. Although there is no warning lights but I am worried about this scenario.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #354

Nov 112020

Sorento

  • miles
Oil disappearing no warning light excessive amount of oil use between oil change engine always hot took to dealership told me something about a test I didn't understand how come they couldn't give it one of those diagnosed test

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #353

Dec 032020

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The mechanic then printed out information about NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) which the mechanic linked to the failure. The contact then called NHTSA where she was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #352

Sep 192020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
On September 19, 2020 my husband and I were driving our 2013 Kia sorrento to get my windshield replaced as it had a crack in it. We had driven down the mountain from where we live to hickory, nc where it was cheaper to get it replaced. We had driven about an hour and the car was driving fine and we had not been having any issues with it starting, running or making any kind of noises in the time leading up to this day. We came to a red light and the vehicle just stopped and would not start up again, my husband said the car was not running hot and there was no warning lights on the dashboard. There was no evidence of oil or antifreeze in the road. I got out of the car and pushed the car off the road, while my husband stirred the car because we lost all steering for the car. We continued to try to start it, but were unsuccessful. We ended up having it towed to the Kia dealership in hickory, nc (paramount Kia). It was on a Saturday so they were short staffed, but were able to look at my vehicle. I was shocked by what they said the problem was. We were informed that the V6 engine had seized and it needed a starter and a new battery. We were told that it was going to cost over $6,000 to get it fixed. How could an engine with around $114,000 miles just stop running at a red light with no warning and how does the battery and starter also go out at the same time? we were informed that the engine they were going to put in the car already had 88,000 miles on it (I have attached the quote and diagnosis sheet)I have all oil change receipts. It was going to cost this much and this was not even a new engine and who knows how long this engine would last if it already has this many miles on it? I have never heard of an engine just stopping like that. I know Kia has recalls for 4 cylinders, but I wanted to make you aware that there are issues with the V6 as well.

- Sugar Grove, NC, USA

problem #351

Nov 222020

Sorento

  • 67,000 miles
The engine is stalling, it's stalling at start and then it'll start up and stall after driving

- Wickliffe, OH, USA

problem #350

Nov 172020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at 20 mph, the front half of vehicle spontaneously caught fire. There were no reported injuries. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The insurance company took possession of vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 105,000. The consumer provided photos.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #349

Sep 142020

Sorento

  • 136,000 miles
Was driving on the freeway and heard a sound as if I had ran over a piece of plastic. All of the lights on the dashboard came on and the car just shut off. I was able to get off the freeway safely before the car shut down again, after that the car wouldn't start anymore.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #348

Oct 272020

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a metal noise occurred coming from the engine. After driving four miles, the felt as if it was losing power and smoke was coming from the rear. The contact also stated that while driving and depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down to make a left turn, the vehicle seized and the steering wheel become difficult to turn. The vehicle was failed to start. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact noticed that there was leak of oil on the left side of the engine and also antifreeze leak. The vehicle was not take to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The contact reference NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Virginia Garden, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?