Service bulletin TSB-133

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10053737
Published by NHTSA	2013-11-20
Manufacturer's number	TSB-133
Manufacturer's date	2013-11-27
Replaces	TSB-133 REV 2
NHTSA component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE

NHTSA's summary

KIA: INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATING WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM WHICH NEEDS TO HAVE SOFTWARE UPGRADED TO CORRECT OR PREVENT THIS CONDITION. MODELS 2011-2013 SORENTO, 2011-2012 AND 2014 SEDONA. *PE UPDATED 2/25/14. *PE

The document

No address for NHTSA's copy can be built for this communication. Ask the dealer for it by the manufacturer's number.

Components

Electrical system, Engine, Software

Vehicles listed
KIA SEDONA	2011, 2012
KIA SORENTO	2011, 2012, 2013

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
PI1803_TSB_R6	2021-08-02. Service bulletin. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN PI1803_TSB_R6: KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU - LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1803) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
PI2101_DSM	2021-02-02. Service bulletin. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - DEALER SERVICE MANAGER LETTER - This document is notice to the Dealer Service Managers advising them of the Product Improvement Campaign.
TSB_PI1803_R2	2019-06-04. Service bulletin. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1803) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
PI1803_OWN#2_SOR	2019-04-30. Service bulletin. OWNER LETTER: Dear Kia Sorento Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2012-2014 MY Sorento vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ("GDI") engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit ("ECU").
VPI1803_DP	2018-11-13. Service bulletin. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - DEALER PRINCIPAL LETTER - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals, Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
TSBELE091R3	2017-12-22. Service bulletin. TSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.
TSB-ELE091R1	2017-08-31. Service bulletin. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - Identifying Head Unit Software Version For Direct Exchange (ELE091) (Rev 1) - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the Direct Exchange Program (see Parts Bulletin 91-961-0005).
TSB-ENG160R1	2017-08-02. Service bulletin. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from September 30, 2013 to November 16, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system-related DTC(s): P0420 and possibly P0171. This concern occurs most commonly during prolonged engine braking while descending a steep grade.
TSB-SC105R1	2017-08-02. Service bulletin. TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN - ECM/TCM SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SC105) - This bulletin provides information related to an inspection of the current ECM ROM ID and, if necessary, an upgrade of the ECM/TCM software on some 2011MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles, produced from March 3, 2010 through February 14, 2011 and some 2012MY Sedona (VQ) vehicles, produced from February 7, 2011 through August 14, 2012, which may not be in compliance with EPA and/or CARB emissions regulations.
TSB-ENG133R2	2017-08-02. Service bulletin. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: ECM UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC P0638 AND ETC MOTOR CLEANING (SA153) - This bulletin provides information related to the ECM software upgrade for some 2011-2013MY Sorento 3.5L MPI vehicles, produced from October 25, 2009 through January 31, 2013, and 2011, 2012 & 2014MY Sedona 3.5L MPI vehicles, produced from March 03, 2010 through July 12, 2013, which may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminated with the ECM (Electronic Control Module) system-related DTC P0638.