2013 Kia Sorento: engine overheating

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Engine · CA

While driving, my vehicle developed engine knocking, lost power, overheated, and produced smoke from the engine compartment. Shortly after, the engine seized and the vehicle will not start. An authorized dealership diagnosed the failure and recommended a complete engine (long-block) replacement, indicating catastrophic internal engine damage. This failure appears consistent with known Theta II engine bearing defects. The manufacturer is refusing coverage by stating the owner did not bring in the car for the recalls. The recall was preventive monitoring software (KSDS) and did not repair or prevent the underlying mechanical defect that caused the failure. This is a safety concern, as the failure caused loss of power and overheating, creating risk of fire or accident.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Engine · GA · fire

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

Filed May 10, 2023 · Engine · NH

Like many Kia owners my engine had catastrophic failure. Without warning it overheated. The dealership said it was a cracked engine block. There are hundreds of stories like mine on a Kia owners Facebook page. One family had the engine catch for on the side of the road. This is a known issue for Kia. There needs to be a recall and not just extended warranty band aids.

Filed Jul 31, 2022 · Engine · NY

A week ago my fiancée and I were driving down the highway when I noticed the vehicle overheating…the thermostat was at H and fluctuating. We pulled over let the engine cool and read that if you turn the heat on this will pull heat away from the engine to allow you to get somewhere safe. No warning lights were illuminated and no reason to know that my engine had overheated…I only noticed by happenstance when I was checking my speed. As we were headed to the nearest exit driving approximately 60-65 mph the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. All warning lights were on and a ticking/knocking noise could be heard. I lost my brake and power steering and rapidly began to decelerate. We were lucky I was able to cost to the nearest exit and pull into a gas station. The car stopped on its own barely hitting a fence. I check underneath the car and it was pissing fluid of some sort. I checked the oil and it was completely bone dry. It should be noted I still had 2000 miles before my next oil change. I never received any indication I was low on oil or that anything else was wrong. This is a 2013 with 100,000 miles on it. If my understanding is correct the engine is seized and will need to be towed to a dealership to have it looked at. I am baffled that I had no indication something was wrong. No engine light illuminated to notify me of an issue.

Filed Mar 31, 2022 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a clicking and bubbling sound coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over safely and checked under the hood and discovered that the engine was overheating. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel. The contact added coolant to the reservoir; however, the engine was still overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed May 28, 2021 · Engine · CO

On May 5, 2021 our Sorento started smoking/steaming so we had it towed to our Kia service center who told us we needed a new engine due to bolts being stripped and warping the cylinder head. The vehicle is currently at our local mechanic and can be made available for inspections. I believe the engine could have done a lot more damage to us and others around if the engine had caused the vehicle to seize and cause an accident. The vehicle has only been seen by the Kia service center and my local mechanic. No other personnel has inspected the vehicle. The vehicle started to overheat about a week or two prior to the final incident. We took it to a mechanic (not my local mechanic) stating the vehicle was overheating, though they were unable to recreate the overheating. It is unknown why they couldn't replicate the issue.

Filed Jan 11, 2021 · Engine · 126,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia sorento. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the oil sensor was not operable and the check engine light wa illuminated while operating the vehicle. The failure was caused by an oil leak next to the engine main seal. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was concerned that the engine would overheat and catch on fire. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Fuel system · NV

Engine light, overheating, and battery illuminates on the on ignition. After turning on the engine, engine light illuminates and the others are not illuminating. Vehicle was running but tends to shut down on the middle of the freeway but I managed to step on the gas pedal to keep it running but gives a late shift. They are times it shut down and the engine light, overheating, and battery illuminates again. Brand new battery and it's a week old. I saw some recalls online and it best describes the vehicle problem. Called the dealer service area and said they are no recall for vehicle VIN. Please have this problem resolve. Vehicle was bought on 10/01/2020

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Seats · 77,000 miles · NE

2 front heated seats overheating. Started over 1 year ago. Taken in to kia for check, no problem found. Overheating continued while driving over the past year. Taken for kia service this week. Corrosion in wiring of passenger seat. Several repairs made to drivers seat. No fire, but was a constant concern.

Filed May 28, 2020 · Engine · 100,006 miles · FL

I purchased the vehicle in 2017 with 60,000 miles. The truck just hit 100,000 miles not to long ago. While leaving the bank, I accelerated, and while doing so the truck just shut off on me, no warning lights and it did not overheat. I managed to get to the side of the road (thank god because it was a busy road and I had my two kids with me) and tried to start the car again and nothing. I had the car towed to the dealership that I bought it from where they stated the engine was locked. I still owed money on the car, so I had to get a brand new car with my negative equity and am now stuck with extremely high payment. After the incident I researched about the kia sorento s and see that many people have this same problem. I had routine oil changes, but because they weren't at the dealership they stated there was nothing they could do. Something has to be done about this. Me and my children could have been involved in a very serious accident by the truck just shutting down. I would like to open a small claims case, as I was put in a bad predicament.

Filed Oct 18, 2019 · Engine · 56,000 miles · PA

Per the mechanic, metal chips in the oil, radiator over heated and cracked the engine this sounds exactly what was recalled for the 2.5 engine. .while driving car started overheating