About average for the Sorento
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sorento year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sorento years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 983 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (514, 52% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the lights, wipers and visibility. That ranks 3rd of 13 Sorento years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Kia Sorento before you buy.
Engine and cooling
514 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 repairedOwner complaint, filed 2026
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
116 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Back up camera on Kia Sorento screens go black out of nowhere. After research online I have seen that this is a very common problem with Kia vehicles, and they haven't issued a recall on them. It isn't safe to be operating without one of the vehicles safety features because the vehicle owner doesn't want to pay to repair something they…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the fuse box was burned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the box was replaced; however, the failure persisted, and…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 107,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
100 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 73,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (20).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 100,000 miles
2022-09-22 I took my 2013 Kia Sorento for both low beam lights out to Ed Voyles Kia Service - 2145 Cobb Parkway SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. Initially, the Service shop only replaced the bulbs and wanted to send me on my way. I explained that I already replaced both bulbs 2 times and the low beams keep going out and changing the bulbs is not…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Brakes and stability control
94 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the ABS had failed, and the brakes needed to be repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); and the recall repair was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 101,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 70,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
92 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (85).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Purchased the car in 2020 paint above windshield was beginning to peel, within months the a-pillars were peeling off, the hood is peeling off and now the section above the windshield is beginning to rust due to the peeling. Additional Cases Snow White Pearl paint! Complaint #11700960, 11663682, 11636915, 11630983, 11521467, 11498038.Owner complaint, filed 2025
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.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH and towing a trailer, he heard a loud abnormal sound emanating from the rear of the vehicle. After which, the instrument panel behaved erratically, then the vehicle lost all motive power, and the contact observed smoke entering the interior of the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. However, the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 70,000 miles
Air bags
60 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 53,000 miles
I have been Trying to set up a appointment with Citrus Motors Kia, Ontario California.1350 S Woodruff Way Ontario California 91761. And they are giving me the rounds. Seen last week I have been texting them and calling. And no answer.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
41 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The heated seats were turned on high. It was cold outside. Two hours later the occupant got out of the car and discovered blisters on leg from seat heat. Several large blisters from burns. The seat should not be hot enough to burn someone and cause blistersOwner complaint, filed 2023
Currently The KIA described above has a right rear seat that is not safely usable. The seat back does not smoothly unlatch from the upright position. When jiggling succeeds in unlatching the seat back allowing the seat back to go to the fold down position the latch jambs in that position. This jamming prevents rear seat passengers from…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Fuel system
38 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am submitting a formal written complaint to supplement my existing NHTSA Safety Report ID 11702339 regarding a serious fuel system defect on my 2013 Kia Sorento. My car began experiencing sluggish starting, sputtering during acceleration, stalling at stop signs and traffic lights, and a strong fuel odor. A check engine light…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Upon searching for recalls it seems as though I’m experiencing a significant issue with the fuel/propulsion system. Engine sputters frequently and has turned off while driving multiple times at different speeds (including most recently at a stoplight) , and will not turn on after driving on several occasions. Vehicle will only start…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
25 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While decelerating to a stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact restarted the engine and the vehicle operated normally. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the defect could not be duplicated. They replaced the throttle body,but the problems till happening so many times,they also did a update on the…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 13,412 miles
The contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle lunge forward and [VIN] independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was unable to diagnose the failure. The [VIN] was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2012, at 200 miles
Steering
22 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. The contact stated that the while driving the vehicle in the rain, the battery failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle loss power steering assist. The steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer and [VIN] were not…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 95,000 miles
Parked vehicle in garage (flat surface), put in park, turned off vehicle; the ignition key would not turn back to the lock position, turned back on, straighted steering wheel, took out of park, put back in park, turned vehicle off, pulled back on steering wheel, pushed in brake and key wouldn't come out. Attempted this a 3rd time but…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 102,415 miles
Wheels and tires
13 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
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?Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
11 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear Subframe rust, sudden excessive suspension instability and excessive vibration while driving. A “recall” issue in UK but not the US ??Owner complaint, filed 2026
I just had to replace the lower ball joints in my 2013 sorento sx with only 60,000 miles on it. They were in bad shape, and made noises when turning corners or going over bumps. Ball joints should last far longer than this. I see many canadian sorentos had a ball joint recall. Brakes are spongy, too. I have replaced the brakes, and had…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 60,000 miles
Driver assist systems
3 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
About 4 years ago the rear view warning started to get foggy/blurred so it was hard to see what was towards the rear when backing. Contacted dealer about this and of course it was no longer in warranty and I would have to pay a high price to have this replaced. After the view became blank, all your saw were the lines that would show how…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My car was driving on the highway when the whole thing just cut out. I've never had a a problem with it. And I had to get it towed just to be told I need a new engine.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 119,000 miles
Kia Sorento complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Kia Sorento | About average | 5 |
| 2013 Toyota Highlander | About average | 3 |
| 2013 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 6 |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | Worse than most years | 12 |
2013 Kia Sorento recalls
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
Full recall summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Engine
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Fuel system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Transmission and drivetrain
- 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.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
2013 Kia Sorento questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Sorento?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Kia Sorento are the engine and cooling (514 complaints), the electrical system (116 complaints) and the lights, wipers and visibility (100 complaints).
Is the 2013 Kia Sorento a good year to buy?
About average for the Sorento. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sorento year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sorento years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Kia Sorento. The most recent, from Sep 2023, covers the control unit / module. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 89,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 74,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Kia Sorento years should I avoid?
The Sorento years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Kia Sorento?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
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