2013 Kia Sorento Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 2%of 983 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2013 Kia Sorento, 2% of the 983 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car stalls intermittently. I got the Kia Sorento 7/6/12. I stalls three times without warning but will restart after placing to neutral and restarting the engine. Twice while going downhill. Carmd code reader indicates no problem found. Just wanted to add into the numerous same issue complaints. 08/30/13 9682 miles 05/06/14 16717 miles 09/12/14 20052 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10632817, filed 2014-09, 9,682 miles“When I bought this vehicle I did not realize that it would have so many issues. I think it started in march of 2013. I started smelling a bad odor when I start my truck up and realized it was coming from the AC unit. Had it checked out and was informed that it was the cabin filter and I would have to pay to have it fixed. Later went back for another mater and was told at first that it was under warranty, but once I got to the dealership I was told it could not be fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543825, filed 2013-09, 5,000 miles“Engine went to idle at a traffic light and would not respond when light changed to green, check engine light came on. I idled to the side of the road , shut off engine and restarted it. It seemed to be ok but check engine light was still on. Check engine light went out the next day . I took it to dealer for repairs ( a week later was the soonest they could get me in) they did an software update and cleaned the etc motor per technical service bulletin #133 rev. 11/27/2013 I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this fixed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10639198, filed 2014-09, 16,040 miles“Engine cooling system failure on my second engine after it being replaced ounce already still the same thing overheating millions of recalls on 2013 kia serento with cooling system failures why am I have to buy another engine with 2 years of replacing my original with the same problem my vehicle vin need to be added with the rest of the same year make an model”
NHTSA complaint #11553912, filed 2023-11“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated, and the temperature gauge became elevated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11593856, filed 2024-06, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V224000Mar 31, 2017Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine…Covers: Kia Sorento 2012–2014, Optima 2011–2014, Sportage 2011–2013
Related service bulletins
- 10252086Mar 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 10219692Sep 13, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BEARING CLEARANCE TESTER (BCT) PROCEDURES - This bulletin provides information regarding test procedure of the Bearing Clearance Tester (BCT) Special…
- 10210431Apr 20, 2022PITSTOP: INJECTOR HARNESS ROUTING FOR PI1802Y/Z AND PI1803Y/Z ENGINE REPLACEMENTS - This bulletin provides information to address a no-start or hard start with poor running…
- 10209438Mar 1, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10206642Jan 6, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10205866Dec 23, 2021PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections…
- 10205426Dec 21, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10203695Nov 4, 2021This bulletin provides information regarding test procedure of the Bearing Clearance Tester (BCT) Special Service Tool (SST). The SST comes pre-calibrated from the supplier…
- 10203659Nov 4, 2021PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections…
- 10201615Sep 23, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 27 | 3% |
| 2016 | 31 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 22 | 2% |
| 2013 | 19 | 2% |
| 2012 | 15 | 2% |
| 2011 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 44 | 14% |
| 2004 | 46 | 21% |
| 2003 | 81 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2013 Kia Sorento
498 complaintsElectrical system
116 complaintsBody and structure
91 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsExterior lighting
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsSeats
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology