2013 Kia Sorento Powertrain (other) 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

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 smoke entering the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that he was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to shift into park. After some time, the contact observed the vehicle engulfed in flames originating from an unknown location. Local emergency services were called and were able to extinguish the flames. A fire and police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11552699

Incident

Oct 30, 2023

Mileage

133,000 mi

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 functionality. However, the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact investigated the failure and related the failure to a Manufacturer’s Security software update that the vehicle had received prior to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11551646

Incident

Oct 15, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

Yesterday, when I went to start my car, it barely turned over. Today it started fine but while I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection during rush hour, my car shook violently for about 3 seconds and then stalled. It didn’t lose battery power but was completely off. I attempted to restart it 5 times. First, it wanted to turn over but didn’t. Second, the engine just clicked a couple times. Third through fifth, it didn’t even attempt to start. There was absolutely no warning that this was going to happen and no check engine lights. After waiting a couple more minutes, it finally turned over, still with no check engine light, and I was able to get myself home safely. We weren’t able to replicate the issue. We Checked the fuel pump, battery power, the starter and checked for any codes even though there isn’t a check engine light on. All of which were fine. I bought this car used and it was apart of the engine recall a few years back. I’ve looked up other peoples description of what happened to them before they had there engines replaced and more than 10 of them were similar to what happened to me today. I have a one year old and am now terrified to even drive my car with her in it because I don’t know if or when this is going to happen again or if it is going to happen while driving next time.

NHTSA ID

11515879

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

Engine keeps shutting off at 50 miles per hr no warning lights or engine codes, this keeps happening every two or 6 days. Mechanic replicated the issue but no engine codes were presented, so no solution. This vehicle is no save to drive. When vehicles shuts off you lose control of the steering wheel. And you can’t start the vehicle back up until you get to a full stop.

NHTSA ID

11506910

Incident

Feb 8, 2023

On 4/29/22 @ 215 pm whilst deselorating for an off ramp from I-57 in Mattoon IL to enter onto RTE 16. The car made a huge search and a loud knocking near could be heard from the engine compartment. The cabin began to have smoke enter from the air vents. No warning lights where illuminated on the driver's control panel. The noise stopped and the car resumed it regular forward motion. Yet large amounts of smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the car. A min or two later the car smoke got more intense and the cabin and all the drivers warning light illuminated. The car stalled and engine and steering and breaks failed to function. The car coasted to a bit and then had to be pushed off the the busy highway. A security guard from the hospital has seen the smoke coming from the car and when I opened the lock on the hood a huge cloud of smoke rose up he yelled for me to get out of the car as it was going to catch fire. I exited the car and stepped way back from it as he told me to do. He got the smoke to stop. And then looked at the cars engine compartment and said this smells very bad. He pulled the oil dip stick to check it and it smelled of gasoline. He said not to stay in the car but to await the tow truck on a lawn many feet away as he was worried it might catch fire again. The car was towed at my expence ($282.00) to a mechanic who looked at it an said we got very lucky had it not been for that officer the whole car would have caught fire. He stated the engine is seized up and needs a total long block replacement. Total cost to fix it about $5000.00 rough estimate.

NHTSA ID

11462899

Incident

Apr 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into PARK, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V626000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer but no repairs were performed on the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to rattle with several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11452724

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

37,000 mi

I purchased the 2013 Kia in February, 2019. In August, 2020 the "check engine" light came on and had it diagnosed as "Throttle body error"(not exact terms). I had the throttle body actuator and gasket replaced. When I questioned one of the service personnel about having to "re-learn" it, he stated "No". 1 year later (8/23/21), engine light again came on and the intake manifold was the issue. The intake manifold was replaced and I was under the belief that this would be the end of the issue. On 9/3/21 the same part (Throttle body) needed to be replaced a second time at Kia. When I questioned the service manager if the part had to be "re-learned", he said yes it does or it won't function properly and could affect the intake manifold. On 1/30/22, the check engine light again came on and this time the code was "Intake manifold Runner Performance (Bank1). This is a Motor Module-VCM which is associated with the Intake Manifold. After this was installed on 2/2/22, the car was driven home and the "check engine light" came on again(less than 15 minutes after it was taken out of the dealership. A scan check revealed that the part that controls the throttle body is now defective and needs to be replaced. This all has created unsafe road conditions due to the vehicle going into "Limp Mode", as is designed to do, however, this was experienced while driving on the Interstate. This seams to be a recurring issue with this car and I have only owned it for less than 3 years. All work was done by certified Kia technicians at the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11450267

Incident

Aug 11, 2020

The Sorento truck start off by self went I drive more the hour went I brake the truck sout off .

NHTSA ID

11420358

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA CHULA VISTA (540 AUTO PARK DR, CHULA VISTA, CA 91911, (619) 656-2700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,500.

NHTSA ID

11395966

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

99,500 mi

2013 KIA SORENTO, 2.4L. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR, AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM ARE THIS, AFTER DRIVING TO ACHIEVE FULL OPERATING TEMP, LET THE CAR IDLE FOR 15 MINUTES, PULL OUT AND GET ON HIGHWAY, SLOW ACCELERATION, AND AT 2000 RPMS, THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKS ABOUT 3 TIMES, TACH GOES TO 1000 RPM, ACCELERATOR IS NON RESPONSIVE BUT ENGINE DOES NOT DIE, AFTER ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS, THE ENGINE BEGINS TO RESPOND NORMALLY, NO CODES ARE CAPTURED, NO INDICATION TO WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I DID BRING MY CAR IN NOT LONG AGO AND THEY RE-FLASHED THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, AND THIS NEW SOFTWARE MAY BE AT FAULT. IT IS NON REPRODUCIBLE TO DEMO TO THE KIA MECHANIC. BUT CAN HAPPEN AS SAID ABOVE BUT NOT RELIABLY. I PLAN TO GET A FULL ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC OF THE MAIN COMPUTER, THE BODY CONTROLLER, AND TRANSMISSION CONTROLLERS TO SEE WHERE THE FAULT IS. I QUESTION THE HEALTH OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AS NO CODES ARE RECORDED.....SAMPLING RATE SEEMS TO BE IN QUESTION. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT 60 MPH OR 30 MPH, AT LOWER SPEEDS SEEMS LIKE THE ENGINE WILL TOTALLY QUITE ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE TIME, OTHER TIMES THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN BUT IN "LIMP MODE" AND NON RESPONSIVE. I SEE THIS AS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE, YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL DIE. IT ALSO SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS COMMANDED TO A LOWER GEAR AT HIGH SPEED AND AFTER THE JERKS, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN SO DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR TO TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE. IF ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT DOWN FULLY, IT SEEMS LIKE IT TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS FOR THE COMPUTER(S) TO RESET AND RESUME "NORMAL" OPERATIONS. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION, NEVER STATIONARY ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY AT 60 +MPH.

NHTSA ID

11351850

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, OR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TROPHY KIA OF CARSON (22020 RECREATION RD, CARSON, CA 90745) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, EACH TIME, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. The vehicle shut off randomly. RPM Gauge will go to zero while driving streets or Freeway. Consumer would have to pull over and shut off. our and restart to reset car to run properly.

NHTSA ID

11348571

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER STIFFENED UPON SHIFTING GEARS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND THAT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL FORWARD ONCE PLACED IN PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROWE KIA AUBURN (699 CENTER ST #4, AUBURN, ME 04210) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO MENTIONED THAT SINCE OTHER REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE WERE PERFORMED BY A THIRD PARTY, THEY COULD NO LONGER OFFER ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11348370

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

138,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I70 WEST IN MISSOURI I GOT TO MILE MARKER 83.8 AND I HEAR TINK THINK AND AS I'M PULLING OVER I SEE MY CONTROL STEERING LIGHT FLASHING AND ALL SUDDEN BOOM AND THEN NOTHING. WON'T START, WON'T TURN OVER. NOTHING. I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA SORENTO DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 72 MILES AN HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11331164

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

130,761 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SEIZED AND WOULD NOT MOVE.LUCKILY THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF TRAFFIC LATELY BECAUSE OF THE COVID -19.I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11322470

Incident

Apr 24, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAR BACK TO DRIVE WAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME CAM PHASER GEAR WAS LOCKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REASON CAM PHASER LOCKED WAS A BAD BEARING ON CYLINDER 3. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT A RECALL LIST AND THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT 3-5000 DOLLARS TO FIX A CAR ENGINE WIH FAILED BEARINGS ON CYLINDER 3.. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 78K MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11312154

Incident

Feb 24, 2020

Mileage

78,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT 70 MPH I HAD SUDDEN POWER FAILURE AND THE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES IT STARTED UP JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GO A HALF A MILE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. 10 HRS LATER IT STARTED UP AGAIN AND WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC READING DONE WHICH SHOWED NOTHING. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED AND ARE BOTH WORKING COMPLETELY FINE. LATER ON IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN SUDDENLY DID THE SAME THING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11301760

Incident

Jan 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE TRAVELING AND ALSO QUICKLY SURGED FORWARD AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER. SPRADLEY KIA (2145 HWY 50 WEST, PUEBLO, CO 81008, (719) 543-6710) PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO CODES WERE FOUND. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR NEXT WEEK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11269355

Incident

Sep 17, 2019

Mileage

103,000 mi

I HAD A POWER TRAIN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK TO A KIA REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND I'M VERY DISTRAUGHT ABOUT IT. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO ACCELERATE. THEY SAID IT WAS A REA SAFETY PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. IM READY TO TAKE WHOM EVER TO COURT TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11268232

Incident

Feb 2, 2018

Mileage

126,000 mi

INCORRECT FLYWHEEL WAS INSTALLED ON MY KIA SORRENTO, MOST LIKELY BY THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. IT HAS CAUSED PREMATURE FAILURE OF MY STARTER MOTOR AND VARIOUS OTHER REPAIRS. THE INCORRECT PART BELONGS TO A KIA SEDONA OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ID

11265588

Incident

Nov 28, 2012

THE VEHICLE HAS HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, ROUGHLY ONE QUART OF OIL PER ONE THOUSAND MILES DRIVEN. QUICK SEARCHES ONLINE HAVE REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11254076

Incident

Sep 9, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

I HAVE A SORENTO THAT DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 60K MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS A 2013, I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN 1 YR AGO AND AFTER HAVING IT FOR 7 MONTHS, I BEING TOLD BY THE MECHANICS AT THE FACILITY THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK.

NHTSA ID

11233878

Incident

Jul 17, 2019

Mileage

55,536 mi

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN-TOWN, THE VEHICLE LUNGES BACK AND DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING. THEN AT A LIGHT, THIS VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND DIES AT THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR ALSO KNOCKS VERY LOUD AT FIRST STARTUP. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE REPORTING THIS ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SEEM TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE TO HAVE. MY DISABLED DAUGHTER RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WE COULD HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW AND THE LATEST WAS TODAY.

NHTSA ID

11233453

Incident

Jul 19, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

INITIAL ISSUE-VEHICLE WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY AND WE HAD JUST GOTTEN BACK FROM THE STORE. NO INDICATION OF ISSUES. WE WERE GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE AND NOTICED KEY FOB NOT WORKING. WE UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY AND WHEN WE WENT TO START IT HORN STARTED GOING OFF AND CAR WOULD NOT START. WE READ INTO ISSUES AND WE DECIDED TO TAKE BATTERY IN TO GET CHECKED AND IT WAS FULL CHARGED. WE CLEANED BATTERY CABLES AND GOT CAR STARTED BUT THIS TIME RADIO NOT WORKING AND KEY FOB NOT WORKING. CAR DRIVING GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND COMING HOME LAST NIGHT, WHILE ON HIGHWAY, ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON -ON DASHBOARD, VEHICLE LOST POWER, IT SPUTTERED ALL THE WAY HOME. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WEAK AND IT WAS RAINING. POWER WINDOWS BARELY WORKS AND COULD NOT PUSH ON GAS! WE BARELY MADE IT BACK HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE BUT GEAR SHIFT WOULD ONLY GO UP TO NEUTRAL GEAR. WON'T LET US PUT INTO PARK AND CAR IS DEAD. VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING THERE NOW

NHTSA ID

11219454

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOW CLICKING NOISE. WE GOT OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. NO SIGNALS OR LIGHTS TURNED ON. AFTER INSPECTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE ROD BEARING HAD BLOWN OUT AND MADE A HOLE ON THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 72K MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN. RECALLS FOR OTHER KIA SORENTO HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT NOT MY 2013 KIA. FOR THIS REASON THE ENGINE AND PARTS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. ENGINE WAS BACKORDERED FROM NOVEMBER AND CAME IN AT THE END OF MARCH.

NHTSA ID

11217893

Incident

Nov 27, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi