2013 KIA Sorento Engine Problems
Owners have filed 496 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2013 KIA Sorento, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 89,691 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine seized” (8% of reports).
- 496engine complaints
- 89,691median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $7,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 58%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine seized: mentioned in 40 of 496 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2013 KIA Sorento at $7,900, and half of them between $2,350 and $9,450.
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 382 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 496 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 33 a fire, 5 an injury.
KIA Sorento engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | 7,000 |
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 25% | 4,000 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | 31,000 |
| 2023 Sorento | 31 | 25% | 1,600 |
| 2022 Sorento | 52 | 27% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Sorento | 68 | 27% | 33,000 |
| 2020 Sorento | 66 | 48% | 61,500 |
| 2019 Sorento | 158 | 37% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Sorento | 107 | 42% | 72,000 |
| 2017 Sorento | 387 | 48% | 64,000 |
| 2016 Sorento | 695 | 55% | 83,500 |
| 2015 Sorento | 363 | 48% | 87,780 |
| 2014 Sorento | 388 | 39% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 496 | 51% | 89,691 |
| 2012 Sorento | 461 | 52% | 99,612 |
| 2011 Sorento | 284 | 19% | 103,000 |
| 2010 Sorento | 1 | 33% | 52,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 4 | 7% | 140,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 35 | 16% | 75,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 7 | 5% | 133,000 |
| 2006 Sorento | 67 | 28% | 92,700 |
| 2005 Sorento | 63 | 21% | 101,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 46 | 21% | 112,000 |
| 2003 Sorento | 43 | 14% | 118,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine
Problem: 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.
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. 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.
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
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. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a diagnostic machine to retrieve DTC: P0136, P0172 system, to the rich bank, and P1326 control module which indicated that the…
AC stopped, engine began to struggle, engine light came on and engine over heated. Pulled off highway to be towed. Dealer found metal in oil and suggested possible manufacturer defect issue.
The head gasket blew. This car has been meticulously maintained. All maintenance records with kia dealer. I hear there is secondary engine problems related to the 2013 kia sorento. I have all maintenance records as well as the dealer.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 KIA Sorentos have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 496 owner complaints about engine for the 2013 KIA Sorento (51% of the 981 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 KIA Sorento engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 89,691 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2013 KIA Sorento?
Owners report a typical cost of $7,900 (half paid between $2,350 and $9,450), from 26 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2013 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “engine seized”, in 40 of 496 complaints.
Other 2013 KIA Sorento problems
See all 2013 KIA Sorento problems or engine problems across all Sorento years.