Is the 2013 Kia SORENTO reliable?

The 2013 Kia SORENTO has 1292 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Kia SORENTO?

Top problems: ENGINE (512 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (116 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (90 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Kia SORENTO?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Kia SORENTO?

The 2013 Kia SORENTO gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Kia SORENTO often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Kia SORENTO: high. HLDI insurance loss data suggests higher-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Kia SORENTO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Kia SORENTO is approximately $1,822/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Kia SORENTO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Kia SORENTO has 1292 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 613. The most common issue is engine problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: i test drove the vehicle which had only 5 miles on it and had not been test driven prior to me. i noticed a very slight vibration from 0mpg to 10mpg, and asked the sales associate if that was normal. he said it was fine and was nothing to be concerned about. i did not notice any further issues while. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 61 fire reports filed.

61 fire reports 27 crash reports 32 injuries

1292

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

512 complaints

40%

• I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD ONLY 5 MILES ON IT AND HAD NOT BEEN TEST DRIVEN PRIOR TO ME. I NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT VIBRATION FROM 0MPG TO 10MPG, AND ASKED THE SALES ASSOCIATE IF THAT WAS NORMAL. HE SAID IT WAS FINE AND WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY FURTHER ISSUES WHILE
• DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN SLOW TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DIED WITH NO WARNING. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR. IT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY START, BUT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE ENGINE KICKED OVER. I DROVE IT OFF THE FREEWAY AND HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO THE DE
• WHILE ON VACATION (JUNE 15) WE WERE TO STOP BY THE DEALER AND GET OUR NEW TAGS. ON I77 AT MILEAGE MARKER 33 IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT (NOBODY WOULD LET US GET OU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 34 fire reports💥 7 crashes

“I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD ONLY 5 MILES ON IT AND HAD NOT BEEN TEST DRIVEN PRIOR TO ME. I NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT VIBRATION FROM 0MPG TO 10MPG, AND ASKED THE SALES ASSOCIATE IF THAT WAS NORMAL. HE SAID IT WAS FINE AND WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY FURTHER ISSUES WHILE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Kia SORENTO

Based on 866 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 79K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

176

30-60K

138

60-100K

238

100-150K

268

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 56K mi · 56 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 30K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 94K mi · 44 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 85K mi · 42 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS19/12/2018

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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

High theft risk

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Kia SORENTO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Kia SORENTO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,822

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1822

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SORENTO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2013 SORENTO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1292 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD ONLY 5 MILES ON IT AND HAD NOT BEEN TEST DRIVEN PRIOR TO ME. I NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT VIBRATION FROM 0MPG TO 10MPG, AND ASKED THE SALES ASSOCIATE IF THAT WAS NORMAL. HE SAID IT WAS FINE AND WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY FURTHER ISSUES WHILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD ONLY 5 MILES ON IT AND HAD NOT BEEN TEST DRIVEN PRIOR TO ME. I NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT VIBRATION FROM 0MPG TO 10MPG, AND ASKED THE SALES ASSOCIATE IF THAT WAS NORMAL. HE SAID IT WAS FINE AND WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY FURTHER ISSUES WHILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: REAR RIGHT DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART WHEN MY WIFE WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO PLACE GROCERIES ON REAR SEAT. THIS INCIDENT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME ON THE DIFFERENT CARS I HAVE OWNED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE VEHICLE IS A FEW MONTHS OLD. TODAY 6/9/13 TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS SPUTTERING AND SHUTTING OFF. KIA IN CHARLOTTE, NC PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG? A VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS OLD THAT SPUTTERS AND SHUTS OFF HAS A PROBLEM! I DO NOT CARE WHAT T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)