What 977 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

I own a 2013 Kia Sorento LX FWD AUTO, granted I bought it USED in June 2020. But every since I've owned my vehicle I've had a problem with my Engine Light being on, the Driver Side Break light keeps going out and the USB and Cigarette Lighter keep Blowing the FUSES. I Love my Truck and I need to know how KIA can help to fix these problems.

NHTSA ODI 11450338

Headlight wiring seems to be coming loose. Replaced bulbs, no change. Lights will go out while driving on both sides. Cannot get them set back to remain on.

NHTSA ODI 11436558

ABS Traction System and Wheel Speed Sensor - My Sorento has driven only around 37000 miles and has been maintained well on a regular basis. Recently, I noticed tpms sensor light on, and took it for oil change while also asked the service provider to check the tire pressure. The service center personnel identified two tires on the passenger side having lower tire pressure and refilled air, which addressed the tpms sensor light. However, the following day while I was getting ready to take my daughter for a doctor visit, I noticed the abs, traction light and slope align assist sensors being on. While running an OBD2 scanner test on it, it turned out to be an issue with left rear wheel speed sensor. Though my car has gone past the warranty, I have not driven much as can be seen by the miles. Moreover, I also know a close member in my network purchasing a very similar car around the same time, but has driven a lot more miles. However, that car still has not shown any issue with the sensors. While digging further, I noticed that many others have seen a similar issue with these sensors, even after two or three years since the release, that were shared in Kia based forums. Being a safety concern, I would appreciate your department to look into this matter to see whether there is a manufacturing issue with these sensors.

NHTSA ODI 11434160

I have submitted multiple complaints with NHTSA on this vehicle, as well as the dealership. 0n 4/14/2014 I complained that the key won't turn in ignition at intermittent times. Just today (8/17/2021) is the latest time in which pulling into my garage and turning off the vehicle the ignition key would not fully turn off and come out of the ignition. Had to restart the car, put in drive, back up and pull forward, turn steering wheel, place in park and turn vehicle off, then I was finally able to turn ignition and remove key. I've made multiple attempts with the dealership to investigate this problem and the service on Jan. 25, 2021 they verbally recommended replacing the ignition at my expense because it's probably a tooth broken off in the ignition tumbler; however, they could duplicate and are not sure if that would fix problem. My concern is that I'll get stranded somewhere and won't be able to get the key removed from the vehicle or get the vehicle started.

NHTSA ODI 11429389

The Sorento truck start off by self went I drive more the hour went I brake the truck sout off .

NHTSA ODI 11420358

OVER A PERIOD OF A MONTH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, ONLY ALLOWING ENOUGH DRIVE ABILITY AT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED POWER AND SPEED TO PULL OVER. IN EACH OF THOSE INSTANCES, THE POWER WAS RESTORED TO NORMAL AFTER A SMALL PERIOD OF REST. AN OVERLAPPING CONDITION EXISTED DURING THAT SAME PERIOD, IN WHICH ALL POWER WAS LOST TO THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING, AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. IN EACH OF THOSE CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER UNTIL AFTER A PERIOD OF REST OF AT LEAST 20 MINUTES. THERE WAS NEVER AN ENGINE WARNING TO INDICATE AN ISSUE. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND ASSESSED BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED. DURING ONE SUCH INSPECTION WITH AAMCO OF REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA, THE CAR LOST POWER DURING THEIR FINAL TEST DRIVE FOLLOWING A RIGOROUS INSPECTION IN WHICH NO ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED, AND NEVER REGAINED POWER AGAIN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD CEASED WITH 141,335 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ANOTHER ISSUE REVOLVED AROUND AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP AND TURN SIGNAL. IT CEASED TO WORK WHILE WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED WITHOUT COST. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTERWARDS AND WAS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES AT PERSONAL EXPENSE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR HALF THE LIFE OF THE CAR, AND IS STILL ON AT THIS TIME, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE DESPITE A RECALL ON THAT LIGHT. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE LIGHT WAS TRIPPED DUE TO SOME EMPTY SODA CANS THEY DISCOVERED UNDER THE CHAIR AND WHICH WERE PROBABLY ROLLING AROUND ACCORDING TO THEIR OPINION. THEY STATED THAT THE TRIPPED AIRBAG LIGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11399457

THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2017 FOR THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE REAR WHEELS. THE SENSORS FAILED REPEATEDLY AND KIA, ON THE RECALL JUST SPRAYED SILICONE ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THE SENSORS CONTINUED TO FAIL AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CONTINUED TO STAY ON. AFTER THE SO CALLED RECALL FIX, I PAID $326.00 TWICE FOR THE LEFT REAR SENSOR, AND $326.00 FOR THE RIGHT REAR. HOWEVER, KIA IS NOT PLACING ANYTHING ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO FURTHER PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE SENSORS. IN AUGUST 2020, I PAID KIA TO REPLACE THE SENSOR ON THE REAR AND DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL JANUARY 28, 2021. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS STAYED ON WHICH THE DEALER STATES THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD. I EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE IT WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2020. AGAIN, I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS THE DEALER SAID. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I ASKED FOR THE OLD PART, AND WAS TOLD THEY THREW IT AWAY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REFUSED TO LOOK INTO THE TRASH TO FIND THE OLD PART. I CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR SYSTEM WAS DOWN AND THEY COULD NOT TAKE MY COMPLAINT. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO PAY KIA MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING THE SENSOR, OF WHICH I CANNOT ACCESS, AND THEY KNOW THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1200 SINCE THE RECALL WAS FIRST ISSUED ON THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A PERMANENT FIX TO THIS. THESE WIRES ARE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND EXPOSED TO WATER FROM RAIN ON THE STREETS AS YOU ARE DRIVING. WHY KIA DO NOT FIND A WAY TO COVER THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IS WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE DONE, AND NOT HAVE ME TO PAY $300 EVERYTIME IT FAILS. THE RECALL FIX IS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11397090

MY HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THEM ALL TWICE IN A YEAR. ON TOP OF THAT, EVERY TIME I'VE HAD TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHTS, I'VE ALSO HAD TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS THAT THE LIGHT GOES INTO. IT'S LIKE THE IT EXPLODES AND MELTS THE PIECE THAT THE LIGHT SNAPS INTO.

NHTSA ODI 11396551

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL AND AN ELECTRICAL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE OIL BE TOPPED OFF TO FIX THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE THE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390227

FIRST, THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. FINALLY FOUND A LOOSE WIRE. THEN, THE ABS, DOWNHILL, SKID LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. FOUND ONE WHEEL WHERE IT IS NOT READING SPEED. NEXT, THE GAS COVER DOES NOT OPEN NOW. THERE HAS BEEN ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR. I GET IT SERVICED, MONTHLY. IT IS UP TO DATE ON OIL CHANGES, INSPECTIONS, FLUID AND I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE ALL BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS AND TIRES. I FEEL LIKE THIS CARE, WHICH I HAVE ONLY HAD FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, IS DONE.

NHTSA ODI 11374661

ONE HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I HAD IT FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE EVERYTIME THEY CHANGE THE BULB IT IS MELTED INSIDE. IT WILL STAY LIT FOR A DAY AND THEN GO OUT AGAIN. ALSO, MY HEATED SEATS STOPPED WORKING AND OUTLERS TO PLUG IN MY CAR CHARGER IN THE FRONT UNDER THE RADIO HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WHEN WE THINK ITS FIXED IT IMMEDIATELY STOPS WORKING. THIS IS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11373652

I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN 2019. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST STOP WORKING WHEN I'M DRIVING. EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. THE CONNECTORS THAT GO TO THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP MELTING AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. SOMETIMES THE CONNECTORS WILL LAST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE MELTED WITHIN DAYS. IF BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING SOMETIMES MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER AND BEEN GIVEN WARNINGS FOR BOTH, HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BEING OUT. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT A LOT OF KIA OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. NOW I'M HAVING AN ISSUE OF MY CAR RADIO, BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN AND LIGHTER PLUG AND USB PLUG NOT WORKING. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE GOING ON WITH THESE CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE TRYING TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11364012

THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND VANITY LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. IT IS NOT A FUSE AND NOT A BULB. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS TOO MANY TIMES TO SPEAK OF.

NHTSA ODI 11360622

B1764 OCS MAT DEFECT. IT'S BEEN REPORTED TO US BY CENTURY KIA (TAMPA, FL) THAT THEY CANNOT FIX MY AIR BAG SENSOR FORCING US TO PAY A TOTAL $2,400.00. WE DON'T FEEL WE SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR A PART THAT REQUIRES ZERO MAINTENANCE. I'D LIKE FOR KIA TO RESOLVE THIS OR FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.

NHTSA ODI 11352808

THIS AS HAPPENED 3 TIMES..WHILE DRIVING CAR IT WILL MYSTERIOUSLY STAUL..LAST TIME ON INTERSTATE THEN AFTER HOURS OF SITTING IT WILL START WITH NO CODES AND BE FINE TIL NEXT TIME

NHTSA ODI 11351785

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OIL LAMP LIGHTS AND SINCE I WAS LESS THAN 2000 YARDS FROM HOME, I COSTED INTO DRIVEWAY. ENGINE OFF, I LIFTED HOOD AND CHECKED OIL AND IT SHOWED NOTHING. LOOKING BEHIND CAR, I NOTICE OIL ALL OVER BACK OF CAR REAR AND SOME ON ROAD AND DRIVEWAY. FILLED OIL AND RESTARTED ONLY TO SEE OIL BEING PUMPED SEEMINGLY OUT OF REAR MAIN AND FRONT OF TRANS. TOOK TO NEAREST DEALER WHO FIXED PROBLEM UNDER 50K WARRETEE. IT WAS OIL SENDING SWITCH LOCATED UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. SEAL BETWEEN METAL BODY OF SWITCH AND ELECTRIC CONNECTION OF SAME BLOW OUT. SEEMS LIKE EPOXY DID NOT HOLD. LESS THAN 17 K MILES LATER, SAME THING HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP HAD TOWED 85 MILES BACK TO LOCAL AREA SINCE KIA COULDN'T FIND MECHANIC TO WORK ON IT DURING HUNTING SEASON. 1500 DOLLARS LATER AFTER SHOWING MECHANIC LINKS TO THE OIL LEAK FIX... THEY FIX AGAIN THE SAME OIL SENDING SWITCH. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT REPLACED 3 TO 4 TIMES. CANADA HAS THIS PART AS A RECALL. WHY NOT THE USA YES I PAID FOR IT AS WARRANTEE EXPIRED DUE TO 5 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11329808

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 NHTSA 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). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323922

ON 02/04/2020 DROVE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE, PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE KEY WAS STILL IN IGNITION AND COULDN'T GET KEY TO RELEASE. HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TOOK SHIFTER OUT OF PARK AND THEN PUT BACK INTO PARK, STRAIGHTENED STEERING WHEEL AND TURN OFF VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE IGNITION KEY. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 15 OR MORE TIMES SINCE OWNING VEHICLE AND I HAVE ASKED LOCAL DEALER WHO PERFORMS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO CHECK FOR PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11307041

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT 70 MPH I HAD SUDDEN POWER FAILURE AND THE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES IT STARTED UP JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GO A HALF A MILE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. 10 HRS LATER IT STARTED UP AGAIN AND WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC READING DONE WHICH SHOWED NOTHING. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED AND ARE BOTH WORKING COMPLETELY FINE. LATER ON IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN SUDDENLY DID THE SAME THING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11301760

THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND DOWN HILL. I TOOK IT TO PRECISION TUNE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD I NEED A PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI 11292259

THE REAR TAILLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AND MAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT GO OUT TOO SO IT MAKING THE REAR OF THE CAR UNVIABLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE CAN REPLACE THE BULBS AND THEN THEY GO OUT AGAIN

NHTSA ODI 11290637

LIGHTING HAS WENT OUT MULTIPLE TIMES, BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND NOW TURN SIGNALS. WHEN HEADLIGHT GO OUT, IT OFTEN MELTS THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET AND BURNS WIRES. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT, THE BULB BURNING OUT CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT, BY DESIGN ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, OFTEN FLICKERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING BUMPS.

NHTSA ODI 11290192

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.

NHTSA ODI 11281270

I PURCHASED MY 2013 KIA SORENTO IN MARCH 2013...I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP MAINTENANCE. I STARTED HAVING ISSUES ( EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS/TAILLIGHTS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HAVING TO REPLACE, CAR STALLING/STOPPING IN TRAFFIC, ABS//TRACTION CONTROL & DOWNHILL ASSIT LIGHTS COMING ON, AIR CONDITIONER, FUEL SYSTEM). I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE UNDER NHTSA, AND IT APPEARS THAT I AM HAVING MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS. MY VEHICLE IS NEARING 100,000 MILES (98,800), AND I HOPE THAT ALL THESE ISSUES I AND OTHERS HAVE HAD CAN BE RESOLVED BY KIA. I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED TWO RECALLS ON MY VIN #- ONE BEING THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS DATED 4-22-2019. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS?? THE OTHER ONE WAS DATED AUGUST 14, 2019 REGARDING AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY EXTENDING WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 15 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THANKS FOR CHECKING INTO MY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11280699

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 ODI 11268232