Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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....
Hit my brakes going roughly 30mpg (I was in heavy traffic on the tollway with lots of braking and going for several minutes already), the ABS was triggered as the car was making the jerking/thumping (however you describe feel of ABS), I should have had enough space to stop, but my car was accelerating it seemed at the same time, I hit a car in front of me, and it continued, lurched forward and hit the car a second time all while the brake (only) was being depressed. That finally stopped the car. The other driver thought I was hit from behind too since there were two hits...but I felt the lurching and also there is no damage to the back of my car, proving it was my car. This is dangerous!!! After reading online I see many complaints of Kia's lurching and accelerating when the brakes are applied. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving at 35 MPH, the instrument panel lighting illuminated and the vehicle stalled. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated, crashed into a concrete wall, and flipped over. As a result, the contact sustained lacerations and contusions that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
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. …
We have owned our Kia for 9 months, it has been in the shop at least 4 times and now its in the shop again. The vehicle will come to a complete stop when going full speed, we were going 45mph for the last incident and the Kia came to a complete stop out of no where and the engine shut was still on but idle high and would not go anywhere until you turned the Kia off, waited for 15-20mins for it to "reprogram" and then it had enough power to move slowly out of the road. After getting it home my husband called the dealership the first time and they had no idea what was wrong so they sent us to another dealership who said they couldn't find anything wrong at the time but if it happens again to bring it back, well 9 months later we are still having issues and are not able to drive it without fear that it will just randomly shut down in the roadway. …
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 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.
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 investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 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.
Acceleration complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Kia Sorento, 3% of the model year's 982 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Kia Sorento acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Kia Sorento, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.