Kia Sorento Complaints (2013)

983 consumer complaints on file.

#11652229April 2, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on an interstate, the vehicle abruptly decelerated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking, metal-on-metal sound; however, the dealer confirmed that there was no failure found. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, where it was determined that the motor mounts had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The manufacturer confirmed the warranty coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649041March 18, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
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 while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. An unknown repair was performed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. An unknown repair was performed. 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 contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648544March 16, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the car will stall, making maneuvering the car to safety difficult. There was no warning that this was happening. I did take the car to a mechanic, he said because the engine light was not on, he could not track the problem. I had this happen at least 6 times in the past few months
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647834March 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle whenever the vehicle was parked. There was a burning fuel odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was oil and anti-freeze between the cylinder head and engine block, causing the head bolts to be stripped. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not under an engine recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed the result of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645681March 1, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint all over the car had begun to delaminate and its only a 2013. The entire front of the hood, the side bar of the windshield on both the passenger and driver sides, and the roof along the windshield are flaking off manufacturers paint in large sheets. The back side has begun to develop small chips that will eventually match the front. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the loss of the protective paint on my car can and has been leading to rust issues on the metal underneath the paint. This is known to weaken the vehicle's body structure. This is especially problematic in potential areas of the car that are prone to collision, thereby compromising the vehicles safety over time, if allowed to continue to delaminate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? All across the internet people are posting their pictures of their white Kia Sorento having the exact issue mine has. Also in the small town I live in there are at least 10 people who drive a white Kia Sorento like mine and each one is losing their paint to peeling and delamination. Just driving across California you can see that this is a manufacturing issue that has effected most all their customers who bought a white Kia from 2013 - 2018. After reading this question I am making an appointment to go into an Official Kia dealership to address this issue and get their feedback and hopefully a resolution on their end. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have not had anyone inspect it to date, but intend on getting an appointment with Kia at their next available opening. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no precursors. Car was perfect when I purchased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644826February 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I called quirk Kia in Manchester NH to have the recall done on my vehicle..my vehicle has had a hard time starting and staying started sometimes...the vehicle would shut down while driving all dash lights come on and loose s all power to gas pedal and steering..had hard time starting for couple weeks before it stopped starting ..I believe there is electrical problem ..but when I called quirk to get the recall done the service guy told me he can not do the recall unless the vehicle runs ..I told him I believe it's not running because of the part that is being recalled .he said I doubt it .I then asked for a supervisor and he told me he doesn't have one ..then I asked him his name he again told me he doesn't have one .so I said are you really gonna refuse to do this recall ..it has to be done he then hung up on me ..I tried calling back and got to the sales department..spoke to the GM in sales and explained what just happened with the service department and he told me I would get a call back and still haven't heard from them ..this recall has to be done ..and I don't know what else to do
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644904February 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oil leak from under vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643704February 19, 2025
TIRES
I had contacted earlier with regard to getting clarity on the tread wear rate, and whether a faster tread wear would make the tire defective. As a replacement to that tire which got replaced, I purchased a totally new tire on Sunday, and today, this is how it looked. Is this normal?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643224February 17, 2025
TIRES
235 r 17 104H I had a flat out tire, which led to a replacement of a relatively new tire that was bought in the middle of 2024. During the replacement process, it was found that the the tread depth dropped to 7 in 7 months or so as registered by local auto service personnel. I have been a long time driver with this type of instance happening for the first time during all these years where I had to replace the tire completely well within a year. Can a drop of 30% or more in tread depth within 7 months or so make the tire defective? Assuming that the tread depth wears out evenly, which I believe should be other way with older tires wearing out faster as tread depth decreases, a 30% drop within 7 months after driving around 4000 miles or so for a tire with 50000 miles warranty place it under the defective tire section? Please clarify.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642165February 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle with her boyfriend seated in the passenger’s seat, while approaching a stop sign at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was stopped safely on the side of the road, and then the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 71,935.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633492January 1, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2013 Kia Sorento with severe paint delamination. The paint is chipping across multiple areas of the vehicle, and I need assistance resolving this issue with Kia to secure coverage for a complete repaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628425December 2, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Delamination of paint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625192November 14, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was knocking before the engine seized. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle side-swiped a concrete mailbox. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine rod had fractured the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in June 2018, the engine was replaced; however, in April 2019 the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown expired recall repair however, the VIN was not included. The contact was informed that the recall repair might have prevented the failure; however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623226November 2, 2024
ENGINE
Engine failed to start and made loud knocking noises. Knocking noises continued and vehicle towed to dealer. Oil level was full and all routine maintenance performed up to this point. Oil level full at time of failure. Dealer confirmed knocking, stated the knocking went away after running for a period of time. Dealer requested 3 hours of labor and we are currently determining our next step. The vehicle is available for inspection at Kings Kia in Northern Cincinnati. 137,000 miles. Also have video of engine knock. Recently had HECU recall and it potentially caused ABS light, independent repair shop recommended new HECU after recall performed due to low voltage from yellow wire, dealer claimed replacing wheel speed sensor, we still suspected other electrical issues may have been caused.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621755October 24, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact became aware that the engine oil was abnormally low and added engine oil to the vehicle. The contact stated that a month later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the head gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 231,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621617October 23, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The snow white pearl paint on my 2013 Kia Sorento is chipping and peeling off due to a latent effect .. starting at the front bumper .. grill assembly..a pillars .. hood ..roof and is now starting to chip on back latch.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618721October 8, 2024
ENGINE
When we bought this car several years ago after a test drive, we left the lot and about 5 or 6 miles down the road it completely shut down. The dealership ( Smail Auto) fixed the engine so we thought. We were told not to mention anything about the engine problem to anyone or we would lose the car. We get it back and again does the same thing. Ever since that day our car has been down more than driven. We attempted to contact the dealership and nobody would reach back out to us. All the lights on the bashboard check tire, engine, gas light, etc are all on everytime this happen. Even now we attempted to get ahold of the dealership or even Kia and nobody has called me or my wife. The break downs happen on different dates. But the latest on happen 5/30/24
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616683September 26, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking and turning the vehicle off, moments later flames and smoke were present coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. The contact sustained a right-hand laceration while attempting to remove items from the vehicle. The injury did not require professional medical treatment. Police and fire report information was not available. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), and the recall had not been completed prior to the incident. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11615340September 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 ABS warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615134September 18, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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