2013 KIA Sorento Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 1, 2026 · 69 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2013 KIA Sorento, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 55,768 miles.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 56 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles13 · 23%
10k–25k miles6 · 11%
25k–50k miles6 · 11%
50k–75k miles9 · 16%
75k–100k miles7 · 13%
100k–150k miles13 · 23%
150k+ miles2 · 4%

How serious are the reports?

Of 69 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.

KIA Sorento power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2011, with 265 complaints
2003: 2220032004: 402005: 3820052006: 352007: 2020072008: 232009: 920092011: 2652652012: 5520122013: 692014: 7220142015: 422016: 12620162017: 372018: 920182019: 512020: 1820202021: 1432022: 6720222023: 222024: 520242025: 19

n = 1,187 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Sorento1925%2,532
2024 Sorento512%—
2023 Sorento2218%21,700
2022 Sorento6735%24,864
2021 Sorento14356%64,500
2020 Sorento1813%5,000
2019 Sorento5112%12,600
2018 Sorento94%32,717
2017 Sorento375%56,574
2016 Sorento12610%71,000
2015 Sorento426%74,000
2014 Sorento727%70,000
2013 Sorento697%55,768
2012 Sorento556%33,000
2011 Sorento26517%34,000
2009 Sorento916%5,200
2008 Sorento2311%40,000
2007 Sorento2013%11,650
2006 Sorento3514%79,000
2005 Sorento3812%94,000
2004 Sorento4018%84,235
2003 Sorento227%60,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 10 complaints
2012: 4201242013: 8201382014: 102014102015: 2201522016: 4201642017: 6201762018: 8201882019: 102019102020: 7202072021: 2202122022: 3202232023: 4202342026: 120261

n = 69 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V626000 · 377,062 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

As per a consumer affairs article, hub assembly and wheel speed sensors should be covered by power train and/or relevant warranty that comes with Kia. In 2021, after an oil change, certain sensors on the dashboard started showing up, and the dealership informed me that the wheel speed sensor and…

Received Jan 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11708249

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH and towing a trailer, he heard a loud abnormal sound emanating from the rear of the vehicle. After which, the instrument panel behaved erratically, then the vehicle lost all motive power, and the contact observed…

Received Oct 30, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11552699

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal…

Received Oct 24, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11551646
KIA Sorento
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi DCT AWD Platinum (IV, Facelift). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2013 KIA Sorentos have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 69 owner complaints about power train for the 2013 KIA Sorento (7% 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 power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 55,768 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

Other 2013 KIA Sorento problems

See all 2013 KIA Sorento problems or power train problems across all Sorento years.