2013 Kia Sorento problems and complaints

Owners have filed 981 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento. The most-reported areas: Engine (496), Electrical System (116), Structure (91).

Key takeaways

  • 981 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 23 involve a crash, 44 a fire, 33 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine49651%
Electrical System11612%
Structure919%
Unknown Or Other899%
Service Brakes899%
Exterior Lighting707%
Power Train697%
Air Bags606%
Hydraulic546%
Fuel/Propulsion System343%
Seats333%
Vehicle Speed Control253%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Kia Sorento SUV AWD4/54/55/54/5
2013 Kia Sorento SUV FWD4/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Structure - filed 2026-09-01

The paint is peeling really bad .It's been peeling and rusting horribly.

Structure - filed 2026-08-18

The paint on the car is peeling off down to the metal of the car.

Engine - filed 2026-07-30

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 knock sensor needed t...

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More for the 2013 Kia Sorento

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.