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2013 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Sorento.

Body SUV

As an SUV requiring 5.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API engine oil, the 2013 Kia Sorento carries a reliability record marked by 977 total owner complaints, five recalls, and the engine as the top complaint area. Within the model's broader complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026, this year sits well below the troubled 2011 peak of 1,516 complaints but far above the 2010 low of just three. For researchers, this positions the 2013 model as a middling chapter in the Sorento lineage—avoiding the nameplate's worst documented extremes but demanding specific attention to its prevalent engine concerns.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 700 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.9 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	67.3 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3796 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2011 SX V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2014	SX V6 3.3L V6	7.00 sec	15.60 sec	290 hp	AWD
2014	SX V6 3.3L V6	7.20 sec	15.90 sec	290 hp	AWD
2014	SX V6 3.3L V6	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	290 hp	AWD
2011	SX V6 3.5L V6	6.90 sec	15.30 sec	276 hp	AWD
2011	SX V6 3.5L V6	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	276 hp	AWD
2011	EX V6 3.5L V6	7.60 sec	15.90 sec	276 hp	AWD
2011	EX 2.4L I-4	9.00 sec	16.90 sec	175 hp	FWD
2011	EX 2.4L I-4	9.60 sec	17.20 sec	175 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.2
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	29-33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing	5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	10 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	700 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	55.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47.0-53.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	1.18-1.31 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	164-185 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	47-54 ft-lbs / 58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.001 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.039 in / 0.37 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., 90

13–16 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

13–16 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

tighten bolts in sequence 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7

2.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-125

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Kia Sorento sits squarely in the middle of the second-generation model’s troubled run (2011–2016), which saw a massive spike in complaints compared to the first generation. With 977 complaints, 5 recalls, and 10 investigations, the 2013 is nearly identical to the 2014 (978 complaints, 6 recalls) and slightly worse than the 2012 (875 complaints, 5 recalls), but far above the 2009 model (55 complaints, 3 recalls). The top complaint area is the engine (360 reports), and the data shows 44 fire complaints and 23 crash complaints, though the root causes are not specified. This year falls in the high-complaint arc of the generation, meaning it carries elevated risk of engine and brake issues. **Given the persistent high complaint volume and multiple recalls, the 2013 Sorento is a poor choice for a used buy; earlier first-generation models or later post-2016 refreshes are far more reliable.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

228

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

977

Owner complaints

23 involved a crash · 44 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 977 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine360

Structure69

Unknown Or Other47

Service Brakes, Hydraulic45

Air Bags45

Exterior Lighting36

Electrical System,Engine25

Seats22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

20V750000EngineReported 02/12/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 228 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR	2025-12-17	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…
PS797	2025-12-09	Back Over Prevention	PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 124R battery Vehicles taking 5.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Sorento take?

5.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.