Service bulletins for the 2013 Kia Sorento
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.
228 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| TT046 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. TECH TIP: Passenger seat not as warm as the driver?s seat - There will be a difference in temperature between the RH and LH cushions. The same heaters are used in the cushions of both seats, but the RH cushion has a body sensor mat applied over the heater, resulting in less heat reaching the front passenger. |
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| TSB-ENG140R1 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE. TSB: 3.5 L MPI - COLD ENGINE START-UP CHATTER - This bulletin provides information related to some 2011-2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, equipped with the 3.5 L engine and produced from October 26, 2009 to July 14, 2012, which may exhibit a concern related to unusually loud engine chatter during initial start-up after sitting for several hours. |
| TT038 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. TECH TIP: Oil Leak in Rear Main Seal Area - Most oil leaks on this engine are found in the top of the engine, under the intake manifold. In some cases, oil may leak from the filter housings where they mate with the block, or from the oil pressure switch. |
| TT036 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. TECH TIP: Finding the correct wiring diagram for reverse input into audio head unit - If this vehicle is equipped with Navigation, then see wiring diagram for ?Back-Up Lamps? and you will see the Back-Up input into the audio unit. Also verify the reverse lamps operate as one of your first checks. |
| TT035 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TECH TIP: DTC P200A returns after VCMA replacement and reflash procedure - Test the vehicle battery with the GR8. If the battery fails the test then it should be replaced and the VCMA relearn procedure should be performed with the GDS. |
| TSB-ENG133R2 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. 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. |
| TSB-FUE026 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 - DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - This bulletin provides information related to some Optima (TF/QF), Sportage (SL), Sorento (XM) and Cadenza (VG) vehicles, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the ECM (Electronic Control Module) system-related DTC P0087. |
| TSB-ENG139R1 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. TSB: VCMA DIAGNOSIS - MIL ON WITH DTC P200A - This bulletin provides information for some 2011-2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L MPI engine, which may exhibit a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) with DTC P200A, |
| TSB-ENG160 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. 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. |
| PS327 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. PITSTOP: RESETTING CYLINDER BALANCE ADAPTATION VALUES - When addressing a cylinder balance concern on a vehicle equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine, it is important to note that the DTC may recur after replacement of any faulty component(s) and resetting adaptive values. See this Article for information on resetting cylinder balance adaptation values. |
| PS235R1 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. PITSTOP: HORN ANSWER BACK OR PARKING LAMPS INOP WHEN LOCKING DOORS WITH RKE/SMK FOB - When addressing a customer complaint related to an inoperative parking light confirmation flash, and/or audible answer back when locking the vehicle with the RKE/SMK fob, ensure each door lock position switch (viewable in BCM > Current Data) is displaying the appropriate status and the pad-lid switch (hood switch depressor) is in place on the hood. |
| TSB-CLI024 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TSB: TESTING A/C COMPRESSOR FUNCTION USING GDS - This bulletin provides information on a new procedure to test A/C compressor function using the GDS. |
| SC106QA | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Q AND A - SC106 - 2011-2013 MY SORENTO ECM LOGIC UPGRADE VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN |
| SC106OWNER | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER: Dear Kia Sorento Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to reprogram the Engine Control Module in certain 2011-2013 model year Sorento vehicles. |
| SC106DSM | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to upgrade the Engine Control Module (?ECM?) logic on certain 2011-2013 MY Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.5 liter engine and an alternator supplied by Remy. |
| SC106DP | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: ATTENTION: KIA DEALER PRINCIPALS - Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2011-2013 MY Sorento vehicles with the 3.5 liter engine, to upgrade the Engine Control Module (?ECM?) Logic. |
| PS315 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS. PIT STOP: GDI INJECTOR SPRAY TIP DEPOSITS - A design feature of vehicles equipped with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system is the placement of each fuel injector directly into the engine cylinder head assembly. Therefore, it is completely normal for the combustion process to create deposits on the injector spray tip surfaces. |
| TSB-TRA051 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT ? DTC P0741 - This bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of the Damper Clutch (D/C) Solenoid on 6-speed automatic transaxles with DTC P0741 (active or history), instead of replacing the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed with the transaxle installed in the vehicle. |
| TSB-SC106 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - ECM LOGIC UPGRADE ? SORENTO (XMA) 3.5L MPI (SC106) - This bulletin provides information related to an upgrade of the ECM software on some 2011~2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from July 12, 2010 through January 31, 2013. During a specific set of operating conditions, it is possible under rare circumstances when braking and bringing the vehicle to a stop, for the engine to also stop. |
| TSB-CHA044 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STEERING. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped. This condition may be caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the MDPS. |
| TT059 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECH TIP: Difficulty Programming SMK - Process to troubleshoot difficulty programming SMK because the vehicle won?t power up. |
| TSB-SST033 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL FOR HOOD RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL - This bulletin provides information related to the introduction of a new Special Service Tool (SST) (A) developed to prevent the hood release lever pivot point (B) from being damaged when removing the hood release lever. Follow the instructions included in this bulletin to properly remove the hood release lever using the new SST. |
| TSB-CHA041 | 2017-08-02. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT. TSB: FRONT STRUT AND DUST COVER REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure for replacing the front struts and dust covers on some 2011-2013MY Sorento (XM) vehicles, produced from October 26, 2009 through January 21, 2013, which may exhibit a condition related to oil leakage and/or noise emanating from the front struts. |
| WTY003QA | 2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. Q AND A: WTY003 - 2011-2015 MY SORENTO DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION Q & A |
| WTY003OWNER | 2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. OWNER LETTER: WTY003 - DEAR KIA SORENTO OWNER: KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY TO 15 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. THE CLOCKSPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. KIA’S SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE INCREASES, WHICH CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BY USAGE PATTERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, ADVISES YOU TO HAVE THE SYSTEM INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IF CONTINUED TO BE USED WITHOUT REPAIR, THE DRIVER’S AIRBAG MAY EVENTUALLY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.