repaired · 2025 Q4
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2013 Kia SorentoProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 985 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Sorento, most often about the engine. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Kia Sorento has problems
985 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
500Engine39 crash/fire/injury
116Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
91Structure4 crash/fire/injury
70Exterior lighting
69Power train
60Air bags
54Service brakes, hydraulic
35Service brakes
34Fuel/propulsion system
18215 other systems21 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 500 | 39 |
| Electrical system | 116 | 11 |
| Structure | 91 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 70 | 3 |
| Power train | 69 | 5 |
| Air bags | 60 | 8 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 54 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 35 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 34 | 6 |
| 15 other systems | 182 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2013 Kia Sorento recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Engine
Risk. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2017 Q1
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 380 engine complaints. 56% were reported before 100,000 miles.
68under 30k miles212under 100k miles168100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
25 owners mentioned a cost$6,000median
Middle half: $2,390 – $7,000
Air bags
13 owners mentioned a cost$2,100median
Middle half: $2,000 – $2,100
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Sorento year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sorento median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Kia Sorento safety ratings
2013 Kia Sorento SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
10 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Kia Sorento, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 18V-934
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Panoramic Glass Sunroof BreakageNo recall
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
- Panoramic Sunroof BreakageNo recall
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 20V-750
- Headlight FailureNo recall
- Scope and TimelinessLed to recall 17V-224
In owners' words
What Sorento owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While making a right hand turn at an intersection, the engine shut off and I was able to drift into a parking lot - the entire dash board lite up different indicators. Turned off ignition, waited about 15 minutes and attempted to start; however, immediately upon starting the engine started to run…
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
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.
Own a 2013 Sorento?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.