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:
72,437 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 2 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #440

Aug 102023

Sorento

  • miles

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

KIA vehicles have an oil comsumption problem. I discovered recently that my engine was empty of oil. Two weeks later I check the oil level and was 2 quarts below full capacity. I went to an online forum of KIA owners and discovered the seriousness of the problem. The main problem are engines seizing-up while highway driving. I can attest to the seriousness of this problem when approximately 1 year ago my daughter's 2012 KIA Optima engine seized while driving and fortunately her husband was with her and helped her steer the vehicle to a safe place along the highway. KIA has known of this problem for many years and has yet to con-front the issue.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #439

Jul 212023

Sorento

  • miles
High oil consumption for several months. Using 3-5 qts of oil every other week. Oil is burnt and black. Engine noise. Engine failed while driving.

- Vale, NC, USA

problem #438

Jul 312023

Sorento

  • miles
This truck has had one owner (though 3 on paper - myself and my ex husband, then transferred solely to me, then transferred to my current partner a few months ago). It has been pristinely maintained and has 110,000 miles on it. Despite absolutely perfect maintenance, and even taking it to the dealer in March and asking them to look for problems, and none being found, the engine blew on the highway yesterday. It started to get sluggish, then slowed significantly, the check engine light came on, and then we coasted off the ramp, having to push the truck the rest of the way to safety. Local shops are quoting $10,000 to rebuild or $12,000 for a new engine.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #437

Nov 172021

Sorento

  • miles

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

The engine started knocking, experienced loss of power, and oil leaks around the engine head. Kia of Savannah refused to retrieve the vehicle, and I could not afford to tow it to them. Then, they could not get me an appointment for months. Now they are refusing to conduct repairs because the -??knock sensor upgrade-?? was never performed.

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #436

Jun 262023

Sorento

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle had exceeded the warranty requirements. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

- Middlebury, VT, USA

problem #435

May 292023

Sorento

  • 94,000 miles
The contact-??s stepdaughter owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the driver was driving 10 MPH, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The contact was unsure if a warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) since an unknown recall for the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update on the vehicle was not performed. However, the contact stated that he had scheduled an appointment with the dealer for Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Kittanning, PA, USA

problem #434

May 012023

Sorento

  • miles

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

engine stopped. will not turn over. checked oil control valve and full of metal shavings. oil pan full of metal shavings. call kia. not on list. repair yourself. they are not reparing any cars. said they were but denying everyone. check the records. all talk and no action. pleasing the judge with their layer statements. what can i do. i have no help. no kia, no court, no gov. never again will i and my court be debutted.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #433

Jun 172023

Sorento

  • miles
Driving car, was getting off an exit and the engine completely seized up, no power, no lights, no steering. Had it towed. Found out the engine seized with no apparent reason and the motor needs to be replaced.

- Rainier, WA, USA

problem #432

Apr 012023

Sorento

  • miles
When driving my 2013 Kia Sorrento with 68,000 miles on a highway at 65 mph, the engine seized coming to a complete stop. The brakes were also completely frozen. I was lucky to maneuver the car to the shoulder of the road where it eventually rolled to safety. The Kia dealer informed me that was a recall on my vehicle for this exact problem. And a Kia certified mechanic deemed the problem of my car the exact issue as to why a recall was placed on the vehicle. Kia Corporate is refusing to honor the repairs that need to made according to the recall. Kia is denying the repairs because they claim they mailed me postcard in 2018 notifying me of the recall. I did not receive the postcard or any other form of communication from Kia regarding this recall. Kia cannot prove they mailed the postcard to me. In this age of technology, a consumer such be able to trust that an important notification from a car manufacturer about an recall that is potentially very dangerous to the life of the driver and passengers of the car, would warrant an email, text message, or phone call. A simple postcard without a follow up is unacceptable and in this case ineffective because I never received it. I would like Kia to honor the recall and repair my vehicle.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #431

May 012023

Sorento

  • miles
Like many Kia owners my engine had catastrophic failure. Without warning it overheated. The dealership said it was a cracked engine block. There are hundreds of stories like mine on a Kia owners Facebook page. One family had the engine catch for on the side of the road. This is a known issue for Kia. There needs to be a recall and not just extended warranty band aids.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #430

Mar 172023

Sorento

  • miles

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

My engine stopped without warning while traveling on the highway at 60 miles per hour. If there had been any cars coming, it would have been a diaaster.

- Elkins, WV, USA

problem #429

Feb 232023

Sorento

  • 131,178 miles
The contact-€™s wife owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact-€™s wife was able to restart the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated; however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin Number: SC106. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,178.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #428

Feb 082023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine keeps shutting off at 50 miles per hr no warning lights or engine codes, this keeps happening every two or 6 days. Mechanic replicated the issue but no engine codes were presented, so no solution. This vehicle is no save to drive. When vehicles shuts off you lose control of the steering wheel. And you can-€™t start the vehicle back up until you get to a full stop.

- Sicklerville , NJ, USA

problem #427

Jan 212023

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle was parked at a store in accessory mode while I ran inside to grab drinks on the way to a birthday party. My children were inside and noticed smoking from the hood and got out before the vehicle was consumed by flames. Luckily the engine was not running and we were not driving/accelerating at the time of fire. I had several issues with headlight and taillights blowing, the last time the headlight harness was completely melted and had to be changed out. The fire department speculates the fire started near the battery, which would make sense considering the headlight in question was the one closest to the battery, and accessory mode was on. My 5 year old now believes every car we have will eventually catch fire. Please advise.

- Kawkawlin, MI, USA

problem #426

Dec 022022

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle was having trouble starting so I scanned it and found out it might be part of a recall. I called Kia recall department and they confirmed that there was a safety recall for my engine and to make an appointment with the dealership. I called the Longmont Kia Fowler dealership in November but they refuse to service the recall for mr in a timely manner. They said it would take 2 months to even do the diagnostic that was a safety concern. They said all Kia dealerships are busy with the recalls and I would just have to wait. I called Kia management back and told him my concerns and documented every call because I didn't know what to do and needed help but didn't have another vehicle. Kia just said keep on them and didn't tell me not to drive the vehicle or that my life could be in danger like it was. The engine caught on fire in December and I was put in considerable danger. It was towed to Kia Fowler Longmont and they have refused to service it or give me a rental car. First they never did the diagnostic and filed the wrong request for the incorrect recall and then tried to lie about it. Now they're on their third reason of why I don't qualify for the recall that kia already confirmed I am part of throuhout this ordeal sayin I didn't ask for it to be serviced before the damage was done, which was not true and I've records of them refusing to service it in a timely manner and make me wait 2 months which was dangerous. Now they're saying since I'm not the original owner I don't get the service and get it fixed as it is now $9,000 to fix the engine that caught on fire because they wouldn't do the safety recall in a timely manner when I asked. So now I'm out of a car, no rental car and $9,000 they are saying I owe for the the damage they caused. They put my life was in danger. I've done everything to comply with this recall and more. I kept in touch with Kia the whole time and beg them for help and they're being impossible and breaking the law

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #425

May 022022

Sorento

  • miles
Hello. The gugua started turning on the lights on the panel about 7 months ago. The lights on are the engine, the brakes, the -€œABS-€, and other lights that cannot be explained. Those lights have never gone out and since then the gugua has turned itself off, many times it does not turn on, a battery inflated me (I had to buy a new battery), the foot brake also causes a lot of problems. When trying to stop the gugua with the foot brake, the gugua shakes, the foot brake blows like air, the pedal shakes, among others. Also the handbrake (emergency brake) does not work well, on a sloping road the gugua does not stop with the handbrake when I put it on. The gugua has electrical problems in general. There are also other things that I don't know how to explain. The gugua is a danger as it is, please I need you to do something about this matter. Thanks a lot.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #424

Oct 242022

Sorento

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, a clicking noise was heard coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where it remained awaiting diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #423

Sep 172022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
Driving on the highway, the engine began -€œknocking-€ then the engine seized up without a check engine light or any other warnings. Steering and brakes did not work. We were lucky to get off the highway without an accident. Regarding the recall, it was over a month-€™s wait at three different dealerships at three Ohio locations. The first available appointment was October 7th. The engine failure was September 17 before the recall repair appointment. Per a local mechanic, the engine threw a rod and the engine was not repairable. Kia charged $6500 for a replacement engine because they would not honor the engine recall replacement. The engine they sent to the local mechanic was the incorrect engine. Further investigation revealed the correct engine was discontinued. Kia failed to remedy the recall because of their scheduling problems, put our lives in danger by losing steering and brakes at a high rate of speed when the engine unexpectedly seized up. The Kia Sorento is still sitting at the mechanic with no working engine while we are paying car and engine loans.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

problem #422

Oct 272022

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving along the Baltimore beltway when the Engine died and I coasted to an exit towards an apartment parking. I restarted the SUV to go to a nearby auto repair shop then it died again along the way then wouldn't start. A resident of the area helped me diagnose the problem and we found out that it was out of oil. There had been no indication of a leak and just had an oil change a few months earlier. Also, the low oil indicator did not lit up anytime before and during the time the engine died. The resident then provided oil and we filled up the oil tank. The car wouldn't start and so he hooked up his SUV's battery to mine to see if it would start and it wouldn't. I had the SUV towed to Pep Boys Auto repair and was told after the diagnostics the engine needs replaced as it was damaged due to the empty oil chamber.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #421

Jan 012022

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was stalled. The contact stated he waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Holmes, NY, USA

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