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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
69about this part
Share
7%of 983 total for the year
Median mileage
55,768miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Kia Sorento, 7% of the 983 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,768 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11331164, filed 2020-06, 130,761 miles

“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 complaint #11268232, filed 2019-10, 126,000 miles

“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 complaint #11233878, filed 2019-07, 55,536 miles

“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 complaint #10958524, filed 2017-03, 56,000 miles

“As I was trying to park I put the car in reverse and apply the break and put it down into drive as I dropped it to drive I heard a loud bang. Once the bang happen the front left driver's tire seized up car started accelerated but we're not going anywhere the right tire facing forward the left tire facing 45 to the west. After further examination it looks like the axle had been ripped ripped from the transmission as there was noticeably transmission fluid on the axle”

NHTSA complaint #11140113, filed 2018-10, 115,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232217%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Sorento

Engine
498 complaintsElectrical system
116 complaintsBody and structure
91 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsExterior lighting
70 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsSeats
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSteering
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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