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2013 Kia Sorento: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Sorento: three for the engine (filed 2017–2020), one for brakes (filed 2023) and one for the powertrain (filed 2015). Owners have filed 981 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and the electrical system. For comparison, owners filed 880 for the 2012 and 987 for the 2014 Sorento. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall, with a 17.8% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 3 engine · 1 brake · 1 power train Source: NHTSA Complaints 981filed Owner reports, 2009–2018 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 4★overall ★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 24mpg combined $2,721/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 7 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Sorento. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V652000 Filed Sep 25, 2023

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
32.4% repairedof 1,730,192 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V652000
Listed for 2013 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V750000 Filed Dec 2, 2020

Engine Damage May Cause Fire

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
72.5% repairedof 294,756 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V750000
Listed for 2013 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V907000 Filed Dec 19, 2018

High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
65.5% repairedof 71,653 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V907000
Listed for 2013 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V224000 Filed Mar 31, 2017

Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Consequence
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
67.5% repairedof 618,160 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V224000
Listed for 2013 Kia Sorento. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V626000 Filed Oct 6, 2015

Brake-Shift Interlock Mechanism Can Chip or Crack

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
69.3% repairedof 377,062 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V626000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Sorento years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Kia SorentoAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (981)

981 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

23involved a crash
44involved a fire
33injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Sorento, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 981.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other Sorento years

Best and worst Sorento years →
55 3 1,518 880 981 987 750 1,253 804 254
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 17.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2013 Kia Sorento suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined

24
mpg combined
21
city
30
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,800
CO₂ tailpipe
372 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,721per year
$227per month
625gallons a year

Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 Kia Sorento configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24$2,800372
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24$2,800374
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900388
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050403
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22$3,050404
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050406
3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350437

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 Sorento for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sorento years

Where to next

Which Sorento years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2014 Kia Sorento report987 complaints · 6 campaigns →2012 Kia Sorento report880 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2013 Kia Sorento FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 23V652000 (brake), 20V750000 (engine), 18V907000 (engine), 17V224000 (engine), 15V626000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2013 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 981 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (496), Electrical system (116), Structure (91) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 Kia Sorento get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 21 city, 30 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2013 Kia Sorento get?

NHTSA rated the 2013 Kia Sorento suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2013 Sorento compare with other years?

Among the 2009–2018 Kia Sorento model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2011 the most (1,518). The 2013 drew 981. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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