2013 Kia Sorento problems and recalls

51% of owner complaints on the 2013 Kia Sorento related to the Engine (496 of 981).

981
Complaints
5
Recalls
23
Crash reports
44
Fire reports
33
Injuries
63.0
Severity index

Severity index 63.0 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 63.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 71 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 51% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 496 complaints (50.6%)496 51%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 116 complaints (11.8%)116 12%StructureStructure: 91 complaints (9.3%)91 9%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 89 complaints (9.1%)89 9%Service BrakesService Brakes: 89 complaints (9.1%)89 9%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 70 complaints (7.1%)70 7%Power TrainPower Train: 69 complaints (7.0%)69 7%Air BagsAir Bags: 60 complaints (6.1%)60 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE49650.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11611.8%
STRUCTURE919.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER899.1%
SERVICE BRAKES899.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING707.1%
POWER TRAIN697.0%
AIR BAGS606.1%

Complaints filed per year

0751502012: 162013: 472014: 542015: 262016: 392017: 732018: 1192019: 1462020: 1092021: 1002022: 592023: 652024: 792025: 332026: 16 (partial year)121314151617181914620212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201216
201347
201454
201526
201639
201773
2018119
2019146
2020109
2021100
202259
202365
202479
202533
2026 (year to date)16
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (177 against 268).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
20V75000002/12/2020ENGINEKia 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.
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia 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.
15V62600006/10/2015POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONKia 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 allo
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Sorento model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.