2013 Kia Sorento Problems And Complaints

2013 Kia Sorento User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Complaints

• Engine problems- Over 50% of complaints officially recognized by the NHTSA account for engine problems on the 2013 Kia Sorento. Though this SUV comes out as a decently reliable and refined unit initially, manufacturing defects in some of the internal components do lead to premature wear and failure of the engine in the long run. The automaker is aware of this issue and has rolled out a couple of recalls (IDs-20V750000 and 17V224000) to inspect and replace affected components. Ticking noise, power loss, and oil consumption are some indicators of prevailing issues with the engine. Also, owners who already have their engine replaced are now at the risk of a fire hazard due to issues in reassembly that may lead to an engine cabin fuel leak, which has been further considered under a recall (ID-18V907000). 

• Transmission Problems- Though the transmission on the 2013 Kia Sorento is not problematic, inherent manufacturing issues with a brake-shift lock mechanism can cause the vehicle to roll away due to unintentional gear changes. This issue has been identified by the manufacturer and has been considered under a recall (ID-15V626000) for inspection and replacement of the failed part.

 Electric System complaints

• Starter Issues- A few owners have complainedabout the starter motor units failing on the 2013 Kia Sorento. Some reports suggest that users have seen visible smoke from the unit when trying to crank the engine. Replacement of the unit is the only known remedy and the part does not come under warranty. Alternator issues are also something to watch out for, with premature battery-draining being one of its indications.

• Headlamp Failure- Premature failure of headlamp bulbs has been the most common electrical issue on the 2013 Kia Sorento. Owners complain about the need for replacing 3 bulbs in a period of one year. Though a few cars have been seen with melted wiring, there seems to be no update from the manufacturer’s side on how to permanently rectify the issue.

Structural Complaints

• Paint issues- 2013 Kia Sorento SUVs equipped with Pearl White exterior paint job are subject to excessive paint peeling. The roof, the front pillar, and low powers and sills are the main areas that stand the most affected. Failures have been reported on vehicles with mileages as low as 34,000 miles. Though not official, some dealers do offer a re-coat on vehicles under the standard warranty package.

• Sunroof Cracking-The sunroof on the initial batches of the 2013 Kia Sorento reportedly has mounting issues and is prone to crack or completely fail unexpectedly. NHTSA has recorded several instances of the panoramic roof exploding whilst the vehicle is on the move sending sharp glass fragments into the cabin if the shade is not in the closed position.

Safety Complaints

• Airbags Issues- The passenger airbag warning light on the 2013 Kia Sorento remain illuminated even when the seats are occupied and the seatbelts are buckled. The issue is traced to be a faulty occupancy sensor which needs to be replaced. Since a warranty is unavailable on the part, the repair is done at the owner’s expense. Some users also report the same issue recurring even after the entire passenger seat was replaced as part of the remedy.

2013 Kia Sorento Recalls

S. No Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1	2nd December 2020	20V750000	Engine damage may cause fire	An engine compartment fire can occur while driving, increasing the risk of injury.	The 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. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2021.
2	19th December 2018	18V907000	High-pressure fuel pipe may leak	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, and increasing the risk of fire.	The dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2019.
3	31st March 2017	17V224000	Bearing wear may cause engine seizure	Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine, causing it to seize and increase the risk of a crash.	The dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2017.
4	6th October 2015	15V626000	The brake-Shift Interlock mechanism can chip or crack	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, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.	The dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015.

Should you buy a used 2013 Kia Sorento?

The Kia Sorento, though not as popular as some of its competitors, is one midsize SUV that offers the best blend of power, technology, and comfort for a price that undercuts most of its competitors. For that reason, it did rank pretty decent in our list for this year despite being one of the oldest SUVs in its segment. However, just like its parent company, Kia is also going through a spree of problems with its vehicles equipped with the Hyundai’s base theta line-up of gasoline engines, primarily for their premature failure. Although multiple remedies have been brought out, users report having a sloppy experience with the warranty claims and repair timelines. As much as we are in love with Kia’s value-oriented offering here, the catastrophic engine failure with a reportedly high risk of fire just drops it off from our recommendation list, especially so, when getting one the pre-owned route.