2013 Kia Sorento Other / unspecified Problems

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 hub assembly needs to be changed. Though the warranty should have automatically covered it, I had to repeatedly communicate with the Kia customer service center before it was authorized. Though this part is supposed to last for 80000-100000 miles, something similar happened after an oil change, and the diagnosis from local car service center again pointed to the same hub assembly for the same wheel. I ended up redoing this service. Should this be covered considering that it came with a certain lifetime warranty and was a replacement by the OEM? Is there a concern about quality as it happened twice well before the normal time frame, and should I be reimbursed and compensated for the inconvenience caused. Please clarify. Dates: 9/27/21(Confirmed); 10/04/21 (Supposedly Installed); 08/08/25 (Reinstalled)

NHTSA ID

11708249

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

We were driving on highway at 120 kmh. The road was smooth and we had no error/service dash lights illuminated. Suddenly we heard a loud bang and we lost total control of the vehicle. We (hit) slid onlong the concrete highway which prevented the car from flipping and entering oncoming traffic. Our terrifying experience lasted about 8 seconds until we came to a stop. We were fortunate that we were not crashed into by nearby traffic. The original manufacturer alloy rear left wheel shattered. I have pictures of the wheel. The wheel totally separated from the hub. The tire was in good condition and we didn't hit any bumps or pothole. I notified KIA about this issue with reference # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11611361

Incident

Aug 19, 2024

Drove approximately 6 miles from home to grocery store, parked car, did shopping and on way home 3 lights lite up on dash, ABS - ESC-TPMS. Just had serviced on 8/1/2022 with 111279 miles, currently has 111,378 miles on it. Vehicle is garage kept and I'm retired. I have had the car serviced at the dealership where vehicle was purchased.

NHTSA ID

11486484

Incident

Sep 26, 2022

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact noticed there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact inspected underneath the hood and saw there were flames coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the contact had not yet received notification. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11481998

Incident

Apr 16, 2016

Mileage

70,000 mi

ABS Traction System and Wheel Speed Sensor - My Sorento has driven only around 37000 miles and has been maintained well on a regular basis. Recently, I noticed tpms sensor light on, and took it for oil change while also asked the service provider to check the tire pressure. The service center personnel identified two tires on the passenger side having lower tire pressure and refilled air, which addressed the tpms sensor light. However, the following day while I was getting ready to take my daughter for a doctor visit, I noticed the abs, traction light and slope align assist sensors being on. While running an OBD2 scanner test on it, it turned out to be an issue with left rear wheel speed sensor. Though my car has gone past the warranty, I have not driven much as can be seen by the miles. Moreover, I also know a close member in my network purchasing a very similar car around the same time, but has driven a lot more miles. However, that car still has not shown any issue with the sensors. While digging further, I noticed that many others have seen a similar issue with these sensors, even after two or three years since the release, that were shared in Kia based forums. Being a safety concern, I would appreciate your department to look into this matter to see whether there is a manufacturing issue with these sensors.

NHTSA ID

11434160

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

FIRST, THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. FINALLY FOUND A LOOSE WIRE. THEN, THE ABS, DOWNHILL, SKID LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. FOUND ONE WHEEL WHERE IT IS NOT READING SPEED. NEXT, THE GAS COVER DOES NOT OPEN NOW. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR. I GET IT SERVICED, MONTHLY. IT IS UP TO DATE ON OIL CHANGES, INSPECTIONS, FLUID AND I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE ALL BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS AND TIRES. I FEEL LIKE THIS CARE, WHICH I HAVE ONLY HAD FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, IS DONE.

NHTSA ID

11374661

Incident

Nov 14, 2020

Mileage

118,153 mi

THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND DOWN HILL. I TOOK IT TO PRECISION TUNE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD I NEED A PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11292259

Incident

Jun 29, 2019

Mileage

105,000 mi

ALL 4 TIRES (KUMHO SOLUS KL21 P235/65R17 103T M+S) ON MY 2103 KIA SORENTO ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TREAD DEPTH ON THE TIRES IS STILL GOOD. THE CRACKING IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682711

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

51,000 mi

WHILE DRIVE AT SLOW SPEEDS OF ABOUT 5 TO 10 MPH THERE IS A TICKING/SQUEAKING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT. IT GOES AWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN IN TO THE DEALER 4 TIME, REPORTED IT TO KIA CORP. AND THE REGIONAL OFFICE CALLED TO TELL ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NOISE, IT IS A PART ISSUE, THAT OVER 30% OF THIS MODEL MADE IN 2013 HAVE THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. THAT WAS SEVERAL DAYS AGO. IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THE PARTS IN QUESTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511802

Incident

Nov 7, 2012

Mileage

982 mi