Kia Sorento Complaints (2013)

983 consumer complaints on file.

#11773291October 23, 2026
ENGINE
The engine failed due to a manufacturing defect that is well known in the company but they aren't calling it a recall, they are calling it an improvement and therefore my car isn't qualifying and isn't being repaired
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772250October 19, 2026
ENGINE
The car is running rough, losing power and knocking. Unable to drive it safely. The more you accelerate the less power it has. It has been sitting ever since the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761187September 1, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is peeling really bad .It's been peeling and rusting horribly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757795August 18, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the car is peeling off down to the metal of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753810July 30, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a diagnostic machine to retrieve DTC: P0136, P0172 system, to the rich bank, and P1326 control module which indicated that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the oil change records were needed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that there was too much fuel, and that the knock sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 312,320.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752405July 23, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AC stopped, engine began to struggle, engine light came on and engine over heated. Pulled off highway to be towed. Dealer found metal in oil and suggested possible manufacturer defect issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746873June 27, 2026
ENGINE
The head gasket blew. This car has been meticulously maintained. All maintenance records with kia dealer. I hear there is secondary engine problems related to the 2013 kia sorento. I have all maintenance records as well as the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743679June 12, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle experienced a dangerous incident involving smoke entering the passenger cabin followed by complete engine seizure. Prior to this failure, the vehicle had already undergone recall-related repairs through an authorized Kia dealership for known engine and fire-related safety concerns. The recall was marked as completed by the dealership. However, after the repair, the vehicle continued experiencing problems significant enough to require multiple return visits to the dealership. Despite the recall work being completed, the vehicle ultimately suffered the same type of dangerous condition the recall was intended to prevent. Smoke entering the cabin created a serious safety hazard for myself and anyone inside the vehicle. This was not a routine mechanical issue or ordinary wear and tear. This involved conditions directly connected to known Kia engine defect investigations involving engine failure and fire risks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742106June 4, 2026
ENGINE
On Jan 1,2019 under KIA PI-1803 Recall I had a Knock Sensor Detection System(KSDS) installed on my 2013 KIA Sorento. My car broke down and was towed into the Kia Dealership and it indicated a P1326 fault active . It was reset and released to me on 05/12/2026 after conducting a BCT test saying it indicated PASS drove it off the lot went 5 miles, and it broke down, towed back in and they replaced the KSDS. They performed a BCT replaced the KSDS and then said it PASSED. I have requested an actual copy of the test not just a P. They have refused both at the Dealership Level and KIA Customer Service . The Results of both tests are conducted by Techline and that information is available. I believe the vehicle is unsafe to drive as this has happened twice in a 2 day period . I do not trust that it passed the rod bearing tests without the actual test results.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738868May 19, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, a sound of an explosion was heard and the sunroof shattered, the slider of the sunroof was closed so the glass did not enter the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736847May 10, 2026
SUSPENSION
Rear Subframe rust, sudden excessive suspension instability and excessive vibration while driving. A “recall” issue in UK but not the US ??
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732711April 21, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact then stated that soon after the recall was serviced, the vehicle would hesitate to start after multiple attempts without warning. The vehicle had been taken back to the dealer on multiple occasions due to failure; the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure, but stated that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact then stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a white-grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The smoke became heavier and quickly turned black as the contact pulled over and exited the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as the authorities were called to the scene. Both the police and the fire department arrived at the scene, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer had yet been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723839March 12, 2026
ENGINE
On December 21, 2025, my vehicle experienced abnormal knocking/ticking sounds coming from the engine while driving on the interstate (60 mph), and it was difficult going up hills. The check engine light was intermittingly blinking, and there was a strong burning smell. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone and the code displayed P0304 indicating a cylinder 4 misfire. The spark plugs were replaced. However, the knocking sounds, blinking check engine light, and smell of burning happened again, and I took it PepBoys on December 26, 2025. After testing, they indicated that the fuel injector was cracked and fuel was found in the engine oil. I had AAA tow the vehicle to Cochran Kia [XXX] ). The dealership indicated that they would not be able to look at the vehicle until December 29, 2025. The dealership verified that the check engine light was still on and the motor was misfiring badly. They then checked cylinder #4 with a borescope and found that the valve had a crack in it and that the engine would need to be replaced. There was also damage/scoring to the piston and cylinder wall. The dealership corresponded with Kia (Case #25769914), Kia however indicated that there was no powertrain warranty and that this would not be covered under PI1803 and indicated that only applies to bearing failure, and that dealership should provide me with cost estimate to replace the engine. My vehicle has been properly maintained, and I provided the dealership with the additional requested maintenance records on February 14, 2026. I reached out to Kia Customer Care and they indicated to get the engine replaced under the warranty from the settlement, I had to work with the dealership. I contacted the dealership again on 3/12/26 and they said they can't do a warranty replacement because the warranty only covered if it was the rod bearing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720271February 24, 2026
SEATS
My driver seat welds broke and is currently held to the base by zipties
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720274February 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car paint is peeling very bad the color is snow white pear the hole car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711398January 16, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While the contact's granddaughter was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that a special device was previously installed in the vehicle because of a legal matter. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who installed the device, and the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the device did not cause the failure. In addition, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710092January 10, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car stalled several times including as I was turning through an intersection. I took my car to KIA Ganley if Boardman 7870 Market Street Bdmn Two, Youngstown, Ohio 44512. I met w/Gerry who I explained the concerns with car stalling reminding him it had been almost 2 years since the jnick sensor issue was detected. So why am I expected to keep driving a dangerous vehicle without the repair needed??!!!! Also asked about light assembly replacement delay (per recall) since I'm replacing the turn signal & brake bulbs 5-6 times a year while awaiting a replacement. assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708249January 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN, WHEELS
As per a consumer affairs article, hub assembly and wheel speed sensors should be covered by power train and/or relevant warranty that comes with Kia. In 2021, after an oil change, certain sensors on the dashboard started showing up, and the dealership informed me that the wheel speed sensor and hub assembly needs to be changed. Though the warranty should have automatically covered it, I had to repeatedly communicate with the Kia customer service center before it was authorized. Though this part is supposed to last for 80000-100000 miles, something similar happened after an oil change, and the diagnosis from local car service center again pointed to the same hub assembly for the same wheel. I ended up redoing this service. Should this be covered considering that it came with a certain lifetime warranty and was a replacement by the OEM? Is there a concern about quality as it happened twice well before the normal time frame, and should I be reimbursed and compensated for the inconvenience caused. Please clarify. Dates: 9/27/21(Confirmed); 10/04/21 (Supposedly Installed); 08/08/25 (Reinstalled)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706458December 22, 2025
TIRES
Tires are Douglas Touring, and Sceptor. Those options were not available. I bought a set of tires that belongs to two different brands. Three from Douglas/Goodyear tires and one is Sceptor all from Walmart. They are supposed to have 50000 miles and 45000 miles respectively. When I took for car service, two different service mechanics mentioned that two of the tires have already reached 2/32. Originally, two tires were bought in June 2023, third tire is July 2024, and fourth tire in Jan 2025. There was already an issue with a tire that led to replacement earlier this year. I even filed a set of NHTSA reports in this regard earlier this year in February 2025. Now, two tires have gone down to less than 7/32, and as stated above has reached 2/32. I even shared a picture of peeling tread that I noticed at the time of purchase. This repeating issue suggests high likelihood with quality concern with these tires. For that matter, suddenly, I was asked to change brake rotor and pads, while previous inspections did not suggest any such change. As you might know, poor tires can also impact the brake rotor and pads. Your support to address this issue quickly would be greatly appreciated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706136December 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am seeing an axle shaft issue for this vehicle and noticed that several vehicles for similar timeline had a safety recall. However, mine is not showing up. Could you look into it and let me know whether my vehicle should also be part of this recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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