2013 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Kia Sorento ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and 981 complaints, mostly engine-related. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including engine fire and engine failure campaigns, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Sorento years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 981
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 44
- Injuries
- 33
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 33 / 0
Top 2013 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine521 (53%)
- Electrical System158 (16%)
- Structure & Body123 (13%)
- Brakes94 (10%)
- Other90 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain69 (7%)
- Airbags60 (6%)
- Fuel System38 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers31 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines stall or shut off suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes requiring repeated dealer visits.
- Vehicles come to a complete stop unexpectedly even while the engine appears to idle high.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes, leaving occupants with injuries.
- Brake pedals reportedly fail to stop the vehicle or go all the way down during braking attempts.
- Headlight and wiring assemblies overheat or melt, in some cases producing a burning smell or fire risk.
- Seat belts fail to retract properly after a crash.
2013 Kia Sorento recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
2013 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Sorento ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Sorento years.
- What are the most common 2013 Kia Sorento problems?
- Engine problems make up 53% of complaints (521 of 981), followed by electrical system issues at 16% and structure/body issues at 13%. Median mileage at engine-related failure was 89,220 miles.
- Does the 2013 Kia Sorento have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recall campaigns covering the 2013 Sorento, addressing engine compartment fires, machining errors causing bearing wear, and fuel pipe inspection after prior engine replacements.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Sorento, covering brakes, engine, and transmission/powertrain components, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2013 Sorento compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 80 is lower than 2011 (100) and 2012 (90) but higher than 2015 (70) and most years after 2017, placing it among the worse years for the Sorento.