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 1 of 24)

problem #467

Apr 202024

Sorento

  • 50,000 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 while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated, and the temperature gauge became elevated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #466

May 082024

Sorento

  • miles
The engine has been stalling while driving. The rpm gauge isn't moving it is at 0. Plus the radio and plug ins randomly shut off and on all the time. They don't stay on.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #465

May 022024

Sorento

  • miles
Upon accelerating from 35 to 55 the engine quit but I was able to pull off the highway onto the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to a local KIA dealer. I was notified today 5/4/24 that the engine had seized up, and they were contacting the manufacture in regards to complete engine replacement. Waiting on results. Vehicle has approximate 133,500 miles. Mileage was 130,265 when purchase from a dealer.

- Sun City West, AZ, USA

problem #464

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • miles

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

Good Morning...... I'm the owner of a 2013 Kia Sorrento that is subject to the above safety recall. This has become known as the 'PARK OUTSIDE RECALL' because of the supposed fire danger. I was first notified about this issue my mail on [XXX]. To date, NO remedy has been provided. My local Kia dealer here in Syracuse says they have no information, while Kia USA in California says "we're working on it." If we can collect rocks from an asteroid and return them to earth, it seems like the development of a corrective part could be accomplished in something less than 7 or 8 months (or longer if you use the Sept 25 date in the original recall). Is there a way to get this issue addressed? Thanks in advance for your help. Have a great day-??-?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Constantia, NY, USA

problem #463

Dec 152023

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Gold Beach, OR, USA

problem #462

Feb 192019

Sorento

  • miles
The oil pressure switch fails, dumping large amounts of oil out while driving and after parked which could cause engine failure. The 2014 models are covered under a recall for this exact problem but there are 2013s with same issue. I contacted kia customer service and they will not help. My oil pressure switch failed on 2/19/2019 at 69,000 miles, on 6/21/2023 with 99,000 miles and again on 3/25/2024 with 110,000 miles. I included repair statements of the first 2 incidents.

- Davidsville, PA, USA

problem #461

Mar 012024

Sorento

  • miles

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

According to my mechanic I needed to contact KIA directly because there was something wrong with my engine. It is engine failure and my mechanic has seen several KIA's with the same thing happen and said there is a recall on them. However, when I am trying to file the claim on the KIA website, it is not allowing me to do so with the VIN and states there is a deadline of April. It states that there is no recall on a 2013 KIA Sorento with VIN [XXX]. However, again, my mechanic is stating that this is the exact same issue with the engine that he has seen with the other KIA's covered under a recall or law suit. Can you please assist? I am a single mother with four children and this is our family vehicle and I still owe $6,000 on it. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Maceo, KY, USA

problem #460

Jan 012022

Sorento

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms that parts are not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #459

Feb 262024

Sorento

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

problem #458

Feb 122024

Sorento

  • miles
Unknown

- Coeburn, VA, USA

problem #457

Feb 022024

Sorento

  • miles

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

I drove with my family south bound on i95 and between exit 6-5 the engine light came on out of no where and the gas peddle and brake stopped working. My luck was that I was on the right lane and I pulled over to shoulder of the highway till the car stopped. after 5-10 min I turned the car on and I was able to crawl to exit 5 ramp driving barely 10-15mph. The engine was making knocking sounds and then it just died in the middle of the exit, where I had to push the car in neutral through the ez-pass booth. We waited for an hour and got a tow truck to tow us to the nearest shop, where the mechanic told me that the engine is done and I need a new engine. I told him when it comes to engine, only an authorized kia dealer repair shop would be able to do the job.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #456

Feb 012024

Sorento

  • miles
On February 1, 2024, I was driving home from work. I had been driving for about 20 minutes and out of nowhere almost every dashboard light indicator that exists came on. Initially, it was the ABS, Tire Pressure, and Stability Control. I stopped at a light and all of these lights went off but as soon as I started driving again they came back on along with the AWD, Brake, and Airbag indicators. I drove approximately 10 more minutes and the check engine light came on and I had a loss of power. I was able to get to a road that had less traffic where the car started sputtering, the oil lamp came on, and then the car shut completely off. Prior to shutting off it would not allow me to place the vehicle into any gear other than neutral. I was able to use a battery pack to restart the vehicle temporarily but it started doing the exact same thing before shutting off. I ended up having to push the vehicle out of the middle of the street. Prior to this I had experienced a loss of power and the battery indicator came on so I had the alternator replaced in November 2023 along with the battery. I ended up having to return to the mechanic after I experienced another loss of power. The mechanic checked the alternator and other electrical components and stated that the rear hatch wasn't closed all the way even though there was no indicator on the dashboard. The vehicle seemed to be fine until this. After a little research it appears that I am not the only person with this same make & model that this has happened too - Kia is going to get someone killed!!!!

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #455

Nov 202023

Sorento

  • miles
On 11/20/2023 I was entering the freeway when the engine on my Kia completely quit. No lights, no sputtering, no indication at all of an issue. Obviously I lost power steering. I was able to get to the side of the road and try to restart the engine. Would not restart. I had the car towed to my mechanic and called Kia customer service later. I was advised to have it towed to a Kia dealership (fee would be reimbursed), get it diagnosed (fee would be reimbursed), and that the engine would be replaced. The diagnosis was no compression in cylinder 4 and that this is not covered under warranty. I was offered an engine for $6000. Called customer service back and was told they would research the case. Two months later I am told they will not be replacing the engine. I am out a tow fee, diagnostic fee, and have a lawn ornament that I owe $4000 on. This is absolutely a safety issue and Kia needs to be held accountable. To go immediately from power steering to none, engine turning to stalled is not safe! I feel lucky as I was not traveling fast, not trying to merge or pass. I am disgusted that this is not a safety concern and that Kia continues to deny any fault.

- Olean, NY, USA

problem #454

Jan 222024

Sorento

  • miles
raw gas leaking under the engine and causing carbon monoxide poisoning - my entire family could have died. Dropped off the car at Kia Abilene - 325-267-9380. Informed Kia customer service immediately - case# [XXX]. Not getting proper response from Kia - not offering loaner car or repairs. Please follow up and close this ASAP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #453

Jan 092024

Sorento

  • 201,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local service center who diagnosed that the number two engine connecting rod had failed causing a hole in the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 201,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #452

Dec 022023

Sorento

  • miles
We were told by our auto mechanic that this vehicle needed a new electrical control module. The part has been on back-order with the local KIA dealership for a couple of months. My daughter was driving the car recently when all of the lights went out, and the car would only drive forward approximately 5 miles per hour. The car began to shudder and I had my daughter pull into the nearest parking lot and park the car. The engine shut off as she entered the parking lot, the car could not be placed in any other gear except neutral, and there was a burning smell. We pushed the car into a parking spot and removed the key from the ignition. We had to put the emergency brake on to keep the car from rolling. There is a safety recall related to this specific problem, but KIA states it does not have a remedy for the problem yet. What are we supposed to do?

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #451

Oct 012023

Sorento

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, and incline warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 155,00. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Salem, OH, USA

problem #450

Dec 012023

Sorento

  • miles
I have experienced multiple electrical failures, engine stalling & fuel pump issues. One after another. I had the fuel pump sensor replaced ($900 just for one part) a few months ago. I have wires randomly corroding - headlight connector. As of 2 days ago my ignition switch and starter solenoid intermittenly fails to send voltage to the starter. Won-??t know if the starter motor will need replaced until it-??s tested and proven it wasn-??t the culprit for the failure of the other two. I have replaced 2 spark plugs. They have still been read to misfire. Random electrical things stopped working like my heated seats and a few steering wheel buttons. (I-??d like to note the battery was just replaced last month) All of these problems seem to be linked with several recalls. All problems have all occurred over the last 6 months. There is an abundance of evidence pointing to faulty wiring and electrical issues. This recent HECU recall is basically saying our cars could spontaneously combust while not in use due to an electrical short circuit. Barely outlining the dangers it could cause while actually in use. A simple google will tell you if this system fails so could your ABS. Even with the ABS engine light warning how do we know it could warn us far enough in advance to pull over to safety" Imagine that while even going the speed limit in a school zone let alone the interstate. I have kids. This is terrifying. I can-??t afford to just replace my vehicle. I have proof of a very well maintained lifetime of repair and maintenance on this vehicle. I had no knowledge of any prior recall issues until I spent hours researching. You buy a car and assume that if it has been well maintained it-??s safe. My mistake. I would have absolutely declined had I known I-??m strapping my babies in a double death trap every day over a failed circuit. Can we just accept the fact that this is certainly due to the engine replacements? Perhaps some were installed more carefully and correctly than others"

- Prairie Grove, AR, USA

problem #449

Nov 272023

Sorento

  • miles
Almost got into crash on highway with a truck going on right lane as Kia did not pick up speed while going on speeding lane and lanes getting merged due to construction. Having trouble changing the gears - Engine keep creating lot of noise even during the 1st gear. Can feel jerks while gears being changed and sometimes feel burning smell. 2 Recalls were done in 2021 on this vehicle related to Engine and transmission. Kia dealer at Abilene (325-267-7409 - James) not willing to check anything at all - also not going to fix the latest recall. Saying it might take couple of months to fix. Afraid of even driving this Kia Sorento due to fire risk and kept car outside in the frontyard. Spent thousands on rental cars and Uber as it is primary and only car for our whole family.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #448

Nov 072023

Sorento

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPM-??s revved up however, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

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