2013 Kia Sorento Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 69 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Kia Sorento, 7% of its 981 total complaints for the year. A related recall (15V626000) covers a brake-shift interlock issue. Median mileage at failure is 55,768 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 69
- 7% of 981
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 55,768 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report vibration and shaking while idling in drive, sometimes present from the first days of ownership and only easing at a stop.
- Some vehicles lost power or stalled at low speeds, with dealers replacing the transmission and transfer case shortly after purchase.
- A few owners describe a loud abnormal noise from the rear of the vehicle followed by complete loss of motive power while towing or driving at highway speed.
- One complaint describes smoke entering the interior after a powertrain failure at 60 MPH while towing a trailer.
- Owners tied to the brake-shift interlock recall report the vehicle refusing to accelerate, describing it as a safety concern the dealer did not resolve.
When 2013 Kia Sorento transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 4, 2012, latest Jan 1, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Kia Sorento
- NHTSA 15V626000Oct 6, 2015Transmission & Powertrain377,062 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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."
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.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sorento model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2013 Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA lists 69 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Kia Sorento, making up 7% of the 981 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission or powertrain recall for the 2013 Kia Sorento?
- Yes. Recall 15V626000, reported October 6, 2015, covers a brake-shift interlock mechanism that Kia replaces free of charge when excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2013 Sorento?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 55,768 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.
- Were there any crashes or fires linked to these complaints?
- NHTSA records 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury among the 69 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Kia Sorento.