MyCarTSB

2013 Kia Sorento Transmission Problems

61 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

61
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2026Dec 2015
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Transmission Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #15V626000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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."

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.

Owner Complaints (61)

mediumPOWER TRAIN,WHEELS
Filed: Jan 2026

Your wheel speed sensor and hub assembly failed twice within a few years, well before the typical 80,000-100,000 mile lifespan — first in 2021 and again in 2025. Both times, dashboard warning lights appeared after an oil change, and you had to push back with Kia customer service to get the warranty to cover the first replacement. You're questioning whether this repeated early failure suggests a quality problem and whether you should be reimbursed for the inconvenience. The fix will involve replacing the wheel speed sensor and hub assembly.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11708249
mediumPOWER TRAIN
FireFiled: Oct 2023

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 #: 11552699
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2023

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 #: 11551646
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

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 #: 11450267
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2021

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

NHTSA #: 11420358
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 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 #: 11395966
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2020

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 #: 11351850
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2020

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 #: 11348571
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2020

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 #: 11348370
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2020

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 #: 11331164
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2020

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 #: 11322470
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2020

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 #: 11312154
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2020

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 #: 11301760
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2019

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 #: 11269355
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Oct 2019

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 #: 11268232
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2019

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 #: 11265588
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2019

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 #: 11254076
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2019

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 #: 11233878
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2019

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 #: 11233453
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

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 #: 11219454
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

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 #: 11217893
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2019

CAR SLOWS AND STALLS AND RPMS DROP TO ZERO WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WILL RESTART AT SOME POINT BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY EACH TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE JANUARY 2019. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES. ALL EVIDENCE POINTS TO SC106, BUT MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA #: 11204088
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT LOST ELECTRICAL POWER. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V240000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA STORE (5325 PRESTON HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40213, (866) 627-6887) TO HAVE THE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA #: 11184762
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2018

THE WHEN IS IN MOTION OR DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE DRAGGING AND LOOKS LIKE IT WANTS TO CHANGE GEARS BUT IT DON'T WHEN IT NEEDS TOO . I AM SCARED THIS CAN BE ONE OF THOSE CARS THAT ARE GETTING IN FIRE I AM ALWAYS HAVING THE KIDS IN THIS CAR WHAT CAN I DO .,.. AND IS AN ONGOING JUST VERY WORRY

NHTSA #: 11140098
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2018

RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL POWER TRAIN

NHTSA #: 11124412
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2018

PCM RECALL. VEHICLE STALLS AT STOPS AND SLOWING OF VEHICLE. AUGUST 6 TURNED OFF ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER PARKING IN DRIVEWAY AND TURNING ENGINE OFF. AUGUST 4 AND 5, 2018 VEHICLE STALLED WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP ON THE ROAD IN TOWN.

NHTSA #: 11119533
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2018

WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE IT MAKES THIS BARING GRIND NOISE EVEN WHEN I AM GOING INTO REVERSE. IT CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS NOISE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO SOMETIMES IT WILL STOP BUT THEN START AGAIN WHEN I MAKE A TURN AND CONTINUE MAKING THE GRIND OR BARING NOISE. ALSO IF I AM AT A STOP LIGHT AND I PRESS THE GAS PADDLE IT MAKES THIS GRIND NOISE. WHEN I LOOKED UP RECALL FOR THIS I HAD FOUND EXACTLY WHAT IT COULD BE AND MY VIN NUMBER SAID IT WASNT FOR RECALL. ALSO. I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD PUT MY PARK IN THE PARK GEAR POSITION IT WONT SOMETIMES LOCK ALL THE WAY. AS I HAD READ ALSO FOR MY CAR. IT DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER HOW LOUD IT MAKES THE NOISE . WHEN IT'S HOT ITS LOUD THEN COLD ITS OFF AND ON. THIS HAPPENS ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. MY DATE OF HAPPENING IS AN EDUCATIONAL GUESS. I KNOW IT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING WHEN I GOT A RECALL FOR THE OIL PANEL THING AND SOMETHING ELSE.

NHTSA #: 11105190
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERCHASE KIA (2200 US-31, PELHAM, AL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE MECHANISMS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED AND SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA #: 11101171
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2018

I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE KIA MANUFACTURING CORP. ONLY TO HERE ABOUT THEM ON THE TV NEWS.

NHTSA #: 11098206
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2018

PURCHASED THE SORENTO FEBRUARY 2017, AND HAD NOTICED A MISS IN IT IN NOVEMBER. SOMETIME IN MARCH, THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN TO ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS AND IT STARTED JERKING VERY BADLY AND LOSING POWER.

NHTSA #: 11089865
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2017

AROUND 4:30AM (STILL DARK OUTSIDE) I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, MY ENGINE WAS MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS AND I STARTED TO GET OFF ON AN EXIT, ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT SEEMED AS IF EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, THE OIL CHANGE LIGHT AND SOME SIGNS I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE LIGHTED UP, THE CAR WENT DEAD AND CAME BACK ON INSTANTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. I TURNED MY HAZARDS ON AND REMAINED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXIT UNTIL HELP ARRIVED AND WAS ABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH MY VEHICLE BUMPER TO BUMPER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA #: 11056995
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2017

MY 2013 SORRENTO HAS STALLED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKSON THE FREEWAY. WHEN BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER THERE ARE NO EBNGINE CODES. I SEE THAT FROM 2011 TO 2013 THERE HAS BEEN A PCM UPDATE FOR THIS ISSUE SC106. AND DEALER STATES MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THO IT FALLS INTO THE YEAR CATAGORY. I WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO THE DEALER.THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN YOU LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA #: 11030651
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2017

VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH IN TRAFFIC, THRUSTS ME OVER STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RIGHT LANE. PUZZLED FOUND OUT TIRES ARE FINE. UPON RETURNED TO HWY, VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 60 MPH. TOWED CAR. MECHANICS RUNS CODE AND FIND NO INCIDENTS. THEY DRIVE CAR AND FIND NOTHING. TEN DAYS, LATER CAR MIMICS SAME BEHAVIORS. VERY DANGEROUS AS I AM IN TRAFFIC AND CARS ARE BEHIND ME. TOWS CAR AGAIN. MECHANIC RUNS CODE AND FIND NOTHING. THEY DECIDES IT IS SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION. THEY RELEASE IT ME. I AM DAYS LATE PICKING IT UP. THEY CONTINUE TO TEST DRIVE IT. CAR MIMICS SAME PUZZLING BEHAVIORS HOURS BEFORE I PICK IT UP. I HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF VEHICLE STALL IN HWY BEFORE IT WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO SMOKING, NO SPILLING LIQUIDS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO SMELLS, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A "THUMP" NOISE AND STOP. THIS IS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA #: 11005319
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PETE KIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 11000877
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
FireFiled: Mar 2017

THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND CAUGHT FIRE ON RURAL ROADS ABOUT 50MPH.THE DOG AND MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MY S.O.'S QUICK THINKING...SNOW IN THE ENGINE HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A GAME WARDEN ARRIVED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE FREE OF COST.

NHTSA #: 10958524
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2016

IN LATE JUNE MY ENGINE STARTED S KNOCKING NOISE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND THE ENGINE JUST KEPT MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE LET ME KNOW THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN SEPTEMBER, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA DATED AUGUST 29,2016, STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING MY WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD WITH MY ENGINE IN JUNE. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR MY VEHCLE TO BE FIXED, BUT IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA #: 10909518
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2016

BOUGHT MY KIA ON 6/17/2016 AND TODAY 3 DAYS LATER I AM DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTS POWERING DOWN WHILE I AM AT 70MPH. SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. THERE IS ALSO A JERKING FORWARD MOVEMENT THAT I GET, BUT TODAY WAS THE SCARIEST, THE CAR ACTUALLY STOPPED WITH NO POWER WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL ASIDE AND RESTART THE CAR. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS. M DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR. THIS IS CRAZY A 2013 CAR SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE ON THE ROAD. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA #: 10875330
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2016

THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 67,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS BAD. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE 2014 VERSION HAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON. WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES WHERE THE "GAS FULL" SENSOR CLICKS REPEATEDLY WHEN PUMPING THE GAS, EVEN AFTER JUST STARTING TO FILL A TANK LESS THAN 1/4 OF THE WAY FULL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA #: 10874435
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA #: 10849932
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2015

FRONT WHEEL, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE GROSSLY UNDER POWERED. MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN FROM STOP, THE ENGINE HESITATED ALMOST TO THE POINT OF STALLING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HEAD-ON COLLISION EVEN ON A MODERATELY BUSY ROAD. KIA DEALER CLAIMS NO DEFECT IN VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA #: 10817053
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10779189
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Dec 2014

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED MY WIFE WITH 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN CAR HAD ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THE CAR BECAME SLUGGISH AND WAS HARD TO DRIVE. I ADVISED HE VIA MOBILE PHONE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I TOLD HE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND TRY TO RESTART IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AGAIN AND THE CAR MADE A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SHE TRIED THIS 5 TIMES AND SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR $946.14 ON 12/23/2014 AT DULLES KIA IN LEESBURG, VA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10668431
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2014

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW 2.5 YEARS AGO AND FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR MORE NOW I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 50 INCIDENCES OF MY CAR STALLING MOSTLY WHEN AT A STOP (EITHER STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN) BUT NOW IT'S EVEN STALLING WHEN I DECELERATE TO MAKE TURNS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND I'M LUCKY I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET BECAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR FLIPS INTO "LIMP MODE" AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I'VE HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER MANY, MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY DID SOME TYPE OF SYSTEMS LOGIC UPDATE AND THE CAR SHOULD BE OK, BUT SOMETIMES THE DAY OF OR DAY AFTER GETTING THE UPDATE, MY CAR WILL STALL AGAIN. THE SERVICE GUYS ALSO SAY THEY DON'T SEE ANY MESSAGE ON MY CAR COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT ANY STALLING HAS OCCURRED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10663030
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2014

WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WENT TO IDLE AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDDLE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR DROVE OK. TOOK CAR FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND CLEANED MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE. (THIS IS A "FLY BY WIRE" SYSTEM.) *TR

NHTSA #: 10658621
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2014

THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ABOUT TEN TIMES AND SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR POWERTRAIN. I'LL BE IN PARK AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND WHEN I LET UP ON THE BRAKE TO IDLE AND PROCEED SLOWLY THERE IS A LOUD BANG/CLUNK (ALMOST AS IF SOMETHING INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL IS SLAMMING THE CAR WITH A RAMMING ROD) AND THE CAR LURCHES UNTIL I BRAKE. THIS IS VERY WORRISOME AS I FEEL THAT IT CAN INJURY PEDESTRIANS NEARBY OR EVEN THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE IF THE CAR LOSES CONTROL. ALSO, I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE GOOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OR POWERTRAIN. SINCE THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, THE DEALERS SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE IT AND DENY A PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT RECOURSE I MIGHT HAVE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA #: 10648644
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2014

WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE THE ENGINE LOST POWER ALL TOGETHER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY! *TR

NHTSA #: 10620902
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2014

WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW FROM KIA DEALER WITH 8000 MILE IN MARCH 2013 AND WE DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE AS PRESCRIBED . V6 3.6L 4X4 AFTER 14 MONTHS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 20 - 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN 4 DAYS IN SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. THE MIL CAME ON FRIDAY 20 JUNE AND STAY ON UNTIL SATURDAY 21 JUNE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON SUNDAY 22 JUNE AT ALMOST THE SAME SPEED. WE TAKE IT AT ONE CLOSE SHOP AND THEY READ THE CODES P2110; P2106; P0638 WHICH ARE POWER TRAIN RELATED AND THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL RANGE /PERFORMANCE. THEY DIDNT ERASE THE CODES. I DONT KNOW THE REASON BUT ON MONDAY 23 JUNE THE MIL WENT OFF AGAIN. THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING NORMAL NOW BUT I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO I WONDER IF THE CODES ARE STORED IN THE ECM. THIS SEEM TO BE VERRY DANGEROUS IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME AND I WONDER WHY KIA DIDN'T MAKE A RECALL CAUSE I SEE A LOT A COMPLAINTS AS MINE. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND KEEP YOU INFORMED, I HOPE THEY WILL FIX IT UNDER WARANTY. ANYWAY THIS WILL BE MY LAST KIA!!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10605591
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA #: 10598031
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2014

FIRST INCIDENT : AFTER A FULL STOP AT RED LIGHT, AS CAR TOOK OFF, ENGINE STALLED OUT. HAD TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTED, THE CAR DROVE FINE. SECOND INCIDENT : AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE CAR TO ABOUT 3MPH AND REACCELERATING, ENGINE STALLED OUT. AFTER A FEW TRIES TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10585106
mediumPOWER TRAIN,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2013

WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AND BREAKING THE ENGINE STOPPED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. TOOK MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED. TOOK IN TO DICK HANNAH DEALER TO CHECK CODES, AFTER 2 HOURS THEY COULD FIND NOTHING AND HAD NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS WHERE THIS NHTSA SITE REPORTS 14, NOW 15, OF THE SAME INSTANCES. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION & THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT........REALLY. THIS IS OUR FIRST AND PROBABLY LAST KIA. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, FAULTY BACK SEAT LATCH, LEAKY POWER STEERING FITTING DRAINING MOST OF THE FLUID OUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10553282
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2013

2013 KIA SORENTO LX - V6 AWD PURCHASED 3/2013. ON 10/19 AT 11.5K MILES ON VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THEN LOST MOST FUNCTION AT 45 MPH . CAR LIMPED HOME WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND SPEWING FLUID.HE NEXT MORNING (SAT)CALLED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED ME LATER IN THE DAY TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AND ORDERED ON MONDAY. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED WITH NEW TRANS AND CAR WOULD BE READY ON WED. THE DEALER CALLED ME A SAID THE WATER PUMP WAS CORRODED AND WAS OUT OF COOLANT. A WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND TRANS. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON THURS AND NOTICED FLUID UNDER THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING, HE STATED THEY OVERFILLED AND NOW THE PROBLEM SOLVED (FRI) Y CONFIDENCE SHAKEN AND NOT FEELING SAFE, I TRADED IN THE VEHICLE (GOT FAIR MARKET VALUE) ,FOR A LEASED NEWER MODEL. I HAVE LOST $7,000 FOR OWNING THE VEHICLE 7.5 MONTHS, WITH 11.5K MILES. I AM ARGUING WITH KIA MOTORS FOURSOME COMPENSATION, BUT THEIR ATTITUDE IS THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, SUGGESTED DEALER DISCUSSION. I AM CONTINUING A DIALOGUEWITH KIA, THEY NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10550425
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: May 2013

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 5/25/13. WE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 HOURS AND WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN HOLDING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THE RPM'S DIDN'T MOVE EITHER. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AND PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, THE RPM'S MOVED AND WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR, THE CAR MOVED DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. MY HUSBAND THEN TOOK OVER DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENED TO HIM FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME THAT IT DID THIS, IT TOOK TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT THREE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD EVEN GO DOWN THE ROAD. WE ARE HOPING TO RETURN THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GET OUR TRADE IN BACK AND WILL NOT GET A KIA EVER AGAIN . *TR

NHTSA #: 10513573
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SEATS
Filed: May 2013

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MAY 8, 2012. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS LATER, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH A LOUD THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS THUMPING WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON SATURDAY, JULY 21, 2012. I CALLED ON TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2012 AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE STILL TESTING MY VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG. I FINALLY HEARD FROM THE DEALER ON THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY NEW CAR REQUIRED A NEW TRANSMISSION, THAT IT WAS ON ORDER AND MY CAR WOULD BE READY BY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012. MY VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK UP ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I HAD A REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK AT 5,477 MILES, OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, ETC., ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2012. ON MONDAY, MARCH 4 2013, I AGAIN BEGAN TO HEAR THE THUMPING NOISE, NOT LOUD, BUT IT BECAME LOUDER AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2013, INFORMED MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE THUMPING NOISE WAS BACK, AND THAT THE LUMBAR WAS NOT WORKING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR, SO THAT THE TECHNICIAN CAN LOOK AT IT ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. I RECEIVED A CALL ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WOULD NEED A TRANSFER CASE, WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED AND THAT MY CAR WOULD BE READY IN ONE WEEK. I RECEIVED A FROM THE DEALER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013 INFORMING ME THAT MY CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP, AND THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LUMBAR SUPPORT, AS THE TECHNICIAN TESTED IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, AND THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DUE AT THE TIME WAS ALSO PERFORMED HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE WITH THE LUMBAR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE MOTOR WORKS, BUT THE LUMBAR BAR DOES NOT EXPAND OR CONTRACT FOR SUPPORT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10512117
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 480. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511910
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2013

AFTER 10 DAYS AND 500 MILES OF USE THIS NEW VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE NOTICED LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING ON TAKEOFF AND SIGNIFICANT NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER TRAIN WHILE DRIVING; THIS AFFECTED THE DRIVABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE FACT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE IT WAS FAULTY. FOR SOME REASON THEY DID NOT PUT A NEW ONE IN THE CAR BUT RATHER A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. (A REAL MYSTERY IF YOU ASK ME) THEY SAID IT WAS INDUSTRY STANDARD. BUT IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING.I HOPE SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS BECAUSE WHILE WE ARE GLAD NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY FOR US SINCE WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511022
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

AT AN IDLE, THIS VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND SHAKES. IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING WITH A NEW CAR. I TOLD THE MECHANIC AT MY FIRST MAINTENANCE CHECK, AND HE ACTED AS IF IT WOULD GET BETTER WITH AN OIL CHANGE. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I COMMUTE 120 MILES A DAY FOR WORK, AND I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS, IT HAS 9000 MILES NOW. NOW THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON? THIS CONCERNS ME THAT MAYBE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10507184
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2013

ON 9-3-12 BOUGHT A NEW 2013 KIA SORENTO WITH THE BASE 4 ENGINE. NEXT DAY NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE. THE CAR SHAKES. NOTIFIED DEALER IMMEDIATELY. DEALER NOTICED CONCERN BUT COULD NOT ADDRESS. NO APPLICABLE SERVICE BULLETIN. IN DECEMBER DEALER NOTIFIED ME OF A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. DEALER INSTALLED A NEW TENSIONER AND ALTERNATOR PULLEY. CHANGES DID LESSON THE VIBRATIONS. BUT AN UNACCEPTABLE VIBRATION STILL EXISTS WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE. THE VIBRATION DISAPPEARS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN N WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10503364
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2012

2013 KIA SORENTO 4 CYLINDER. WHILE AT STOP LIGHT ENGINE REVVED UP AND LUNGED FORWARD. APPLIED HARDER BRAKE UNTIL STOP LIGHT TURNED GREEN. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR TWO DAYS SO FAR WAITING ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR BEFORE AND NOT IN STOCK, WAITING FOR OVERNIGHT SHIPPING FOR TWO DAYS. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER DEFECTIVE PARTS, BUT WILL FIX AND SERVICE VEHICLE WHEN PARTS ARRIVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10489234
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2012

I PURCHASED 2013 KIA SORENTO 2.4 GDI LAST MONTH. IT VIBRATES AND SHAKES AT IDLE SPEED FROM DAY ONE. I WAS TOLD BY SALES PERSON THAT IT WILL STOP AFTER DRIVING FOR FEW MILES. NOW I HAVE 1500 MILES ON IT BUT IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT IDLE SPEED WHETHER IN GEAR OR IN PARK POSITION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THERE WAS SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR CERTAIN MANUFACTURE DATES BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT APPLIES TO ME BASED ON MY PURCHASE DATE. BUT THEY SAY BRING IT IN AND WE WILL CHECK IT. I AM PLANNING TO GO THIS WEEK. SEARCHING THE WEB, IT LOOKS LIKE LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE. I HOPE IT BRINGS ATTENTION TO KIA MOTORS AND THEY PROVIDE SOME FIX. *TR

NHTSA #: 10481516
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHENEVER IT'S IDLING IN DRIVE AND WHILE YOUR BRAKED. . I TOOK TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM TO BRING IT IN. I BROUGHT IT IN THEY HAD IT FOR 20 MINUTES AND SAID ITS ALL SET. WELL LET ME TELL YOU IT'S NOT FIXED! I CALLED AND OLD HE DEALERSHIP AND NOW I HAVE TO BRING IT IN AGAIN. THE VIBRATION ONLY GOES AWAY IF WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND PUT THE SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10481159
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2012

WE LEASED A 2013 KIA SORRENTO ON 8/11/2012. VEHICLE HAD 4 MILES WHEN PAPERWORK WAS DONE. ON 8/25/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON 8/26/2012 THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6,500 RPM WHEN WE WERE GOING 20 MPH. THERE WAS A LARGE BANG. I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER ON 8/27/2012. I WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AFTER 2 DAYS OF "DIAGNOSTICS". WE NOW HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST AS LONG AS WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. I AM TOLD IT WILL NOT BE READY UNTIL AT LEAST THIS WEDNESDAY. I FRANKLY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE IN TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK IN THIS CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES THAT I WOULD BE RECEIVING A CALL FROM THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK AT KIA. NO CALL HAS EVER COME. WE HAVE RECEIVED NO CALLS FROM KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS GROUP THOUGH TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT SUCH WOULD OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10473691

Other 2013 Kia Sorento Issues