2013 Kia Sorento Service and Repair Manual
Kia published a distinct set of specifications for the 2013 Sorento, and this factory service and repair manual carries exactly that set, matched to your year, engine and trim, so the figures you work to were written for this vehicle rather than borrowed from the model years on either side of it.
Engines covered
- 3.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- EX
- EX Luxury
- LX
- SX
Known issues on the 2013 Sorento. Four recalls are on federal record for this model year. One concerns the engine and follows machining errors during the engine manufacturing process; bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. A follow-on recall covers the fuel delivery hoses, lines and fittings on Sorentos that previously received an engine replacement under that campaign, where a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. A third involves the antilock brake and traction control system, where an engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. The fourth covers the automatic transmission on vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009 to January 31, 2013, where the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park without requiring the brake to be pressed. Owners have filed 1,290 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 181 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
From checking engine bearing condition to inspecting the fuel delivery lines, the antilock brake system or the automatic transmission, it keeps you on Kia's own procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2013 Sorento.
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been m
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-202
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) SENSOR PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provid
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th
Showing the 8 most recent of 228 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
KIA REPLACED MY ENGINE TWICE, DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION. A MONTH AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE REPLACEMENT, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.. SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING AND OIL CONSUMPTION. I WAS IN AND OUT OF KIA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG! I MOVED FROM CO TO NE, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO ADD OIL EVERY 100 MILES, WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND STALLING. LINCOLN NE KIA FOUND AN OIL LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RIGHT AWAY! KIA INSTRUCTS THEN TO REPLACE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED STERNUM, NECK AND BACK PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT FOUR ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS TH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ITS REAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND LOWER BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. THE DEALER
I'VE HAD MY 2013 KIA SORENTO FOR JUST OVER 3 YEARS. I WAS IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT AND MY SEATBELT DIDN'T RETRACT AND MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I BROKE MY STERNUM AND HAVE BACK PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH MY SORENTO ARE REPLACING HEADLIGHTS, I HAD TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND BRAKES AFTER ONE YEAR. MY AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T GO OFF RIGHT AWAY. BEFORE MY ACCIDENT IT WAS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. NOW I HAVE NO POWER ALL MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE A
MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN I HIT A PERSON IN THE REAR AFTER SEVERELY DAMAGED FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AND PARTS BEING SHOVED INTO THE MOTOR AND THE MOTOR RECEIVED A CRACK IN THE BLOCK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 7 MPH, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY REVVED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER CHEST, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MAN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL, AND FLIPPED OVER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY RIGHT SOME THING TORE THRU RIGHT SIDE CAUSING 2ED BURNS ON RIGHT REST AND CUT ON RIGHT FOREARM
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the vehicle began to violently shake and vibrate causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. During the crash both the driver and passenger side and curtain air bags deployed. The driver sustained a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was later towed to the
MY WAS REMOVING GROCERIES FROM HER NEW KIA WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WE CHECK KIA DEALER WE WERE ALL WAS ON WITH THE CAR THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE DIVER ERROR. THEN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 20, 2015 WE RECEIVED A RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT ALLOW THE KIA TO SLIDE OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE WITH THE BREAK PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIA
INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY.SOMEONE HIT ME VERY HARD LOST CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL.
My 2013 Kia sorento got recalled for an engine filling/Engine knocking. Back in 2019 so i toke it to the dealer and there's was not issues at the moment until 2021, i was driving on the highway and the car turned off. I lost power to the brakes and the steering was very hard to turn. The engine light started flashing so i pulled over and called the tow truck to take it to the kia dealership. Next day they called me and the engine was valid for the recall but they told me since it's a rebuilt ca
HIT MY BRAKES GOING ROUGHLY 30MPG (I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE TOLLWAY WITH LOTS OF BRAKING AND GOING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES ALREADY), THE ABS WAS TRIGGERED AS THE CAR WAS MAKING THE JERKING/THUMPING (HOWEVER YOU DESCRIBE FEEL OF ABS), I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, BUT MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING IT SEEMED AT THE SAME TIME, I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND IT CONTINUED, LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME ALL WHILE THE BRAKE (ONLY) WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THAT FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR
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.
Showing the 15 most serious of 980 complaints filed with NHTSA.
