Since I purchased my 2013 KIA SORENTO I have had at least 3 recalls. My vehicle AIR BAG LIGHT is still ON. I have been waiting since last year (2023)to get this recall item repaired and the local dealership has informed me that the part is on ORDER but never received( I have the work order from dealership stating that).. My Anti- thief system won't allow my vehicle to start upon demand I have to wait and turn the key over and let panel lights come on before it starts I have to do this 3x always. I've tried different approach's to rectify this issue, still dealing with it today( March 1, 2024). My speed control sensors had too be replaced. ABS lights would come on and stay illuminated. A lot is going on with my KIA SORENTO. I really enjoy my vehicle until all these recalls started. Now, I'm afraid to drive it as much, due too this FIRE RECALL!!!!!! I have documentation of these recalls.
2013 Kia Sorento acceleration problems
25 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 30,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 30,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Sorento acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the federal safety agency received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. the federal safety agency's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in the federal safety agency's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agency?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
DP21003
What 2013 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car shuts down in the middle of driving and cannot idle. Had transmission 1x lat year and battery replaced 2x. Even after repairs car randomly does this. I have taken it to shops several times but no one knows what the problem is.... When it randomly chooses to do it, I cannot accelerate, and the car power will go out in the middle of driving decreasing the speed dramatically. Right after it does it the car will stop and turn off like it has a dead battery, except it turns right back on. All of the check engine lights on the inside start to going on.... check engine, battery, oil, tire traction etc....
I was driving down the road when I noticed that all my warning lights on the dashboard were coming on. All of them were lit up red and not going off. The navigation and radio screen went completely black. I noticed I was losing speed and tried to accelerate and I had no power to accelerate the car. I was on the inside lane of the four lane road and coasted to the middle median on the four lane road to safely get my truck out of oncoming traffic. With no capability to accelerate my truck to get it out of traffic this option deemed to be the safest maneuver to do. When the truck finally stopped I had to use the emergency brake to keep truck from rolling. At this time I could not take the truck out of drive mode and put into park mode. With assistance my truck battery was temporarily charged so I could have the ability to place the truck in park mode. When battery charger was disconnected the truck would not start. My 2013 kia sorento sx was towed to joey griffin kia in rocky mount nc. Talking with [xxx] in service department he advised that the alternator, battery and 1 belt needed to be replaced. This will be a $1000.00 repair. I was wondering if the recall listed in the federal safety agency 17v224000 could be associated with this. The truck is at the kia dealership now so I have no records at this time. My 84 yr mother was with me at this time and I am grateful that we were not on the interstate at the time this happened. The outcome of this could have been a lot more tragic with multiple traffic fatalities or injuries. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have taken my 2013 kia sorento to my local dealership after the latest engine recall. They upgraded software but gave no further explanation. Everytime I get my oil change its almost empty. The past 2 oil changes there has been almost no oil. Yesterday, I was driving, on the highway and check engine, oil, battery, light came on flashing and the car stalled in the middle lane of the highway. I was able to pull over and call a tow truck. I turned the vehicle off and 15 min later while waiting for tow truck I tried to turn it on and it came one. I canceled the tow and I am at the dealership today . My car is not leaking oil anywhere and I know there has been a engine recall on my make, model and year. I am afraid of the cost of the repair and the safety of a vehicle that stops in the middle of the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. While driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power, including power steering, braking, and acceleration. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road to a stop. The vehicle restarted on the first attempt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred once. The dealer and manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Vehicle stops / cuts off while driving. Very dangerous. Have nearly been ran over by other vehicles on highway. Also sometimes while at a red light or idling while in park the car while just cut off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. While driving unknown speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (sunset kia of venice, 1179 us highway 41 byp s, venice, fl 34285) where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The check engine indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body part was installed incorrectly. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The check engine indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to kia of venice (1179 us highway 41 byp s, venice, fl 34285) where it was diagnosed that the power control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, the failure recurred, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to sunset kia of venice where it was diagnosed that the o2 sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sunset kia of venice where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, the failure recurred, and the check engine indicator flashed. The vehicle was taken to sunset kia of venice where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 13658651. The failure mileage was 48,899.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact maneuver to the side of the road and waited approximately ten minutes. The vehicle was turned off and the contact waited approximately thirty more minutes. The vehicle restarted normally, but could not exceed 40 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle actuator control failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 42,800.
Questions about the 2013 Kia Sorento acceleration
Does the 2013 Kia Sorento have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the acceleration of the 2013 Kia Sorento, 3% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 30,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Kia Sorento acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Sorento have the most acceleration problems?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (63 complaints), 2016 (62 complaints) and 2014 (31 complaints).
Other 2013 Kia Sorento problems
Engine 516Electrical 116Body 91Brakes 88Lights 70Transmission 69Airbags 60Fuel system 38Seats 33Visibility 31Steering 22Driver assistance 11Suspension 11Seat belts 8Wheels 8Tires 7Locks 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 Kia Sorento?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history