FRONT WHEEL, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE GROSSLY UNDER POWERED. MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN FROM STOP, THE ENGINE HESITATED ALMOST TO THE POINT OF STALLING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HEAD-ON COLLISION EVEN ON A MODERATELY BUSY ROAD. KIA DEALER CLAIMS NO DEFECT IN VEHICLE. *JS
2013 kia Sorento powertrain problems
moderate 61 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
AROUND 4:30AM (STILL DARK OUTSIDE) I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, MY ENGINE WAS MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS AND I STARTED TO GET OFF ON AN EXIT, ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT SEEMED AS IF EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, THE OIL CHANGE LIGHT AND SOME SIGNS I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE LIGHTED UP, THE CAR WENT DEAD AND CAME BACK ON INSTANTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE ALMOST CAUSING A …
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED MY WIFE WITH 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN CAR HAD ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THE CAR BECAME SLUGGISH AND WAS HARD TO DRIVE. I ADVISED HE VIA MOBILE PHONE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I TOLD HE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND TRY TO RESTART IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AGAIN AND THE CAR MADE A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUN…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 61 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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