Problems · by component

2013 Kia Sorento structure problems

91 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento cite structure, 9% of all 983 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
91
9% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Purchased the car in 2020 paint above windshield was beginning to peel, within months the a-pillars were peeling off, the hood is peeling off and now the section above the windshield is beginning to rust due to the peeling. Additional Cases Snow White Pearl paint! Complaint #11700960, 11663682, 11636915, 11630983, 11521467, 11498038.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2025StructureODI 11705354
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint all over the car had begun to delaminate and its only a 2013. The entire front of the hood, the side bar of the windshield on both the passenger and driver sides, and the roof along the windshield are flaking off manufacturers paint in large sheets. The back side has begun to develop small chips that will eventually match the front. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the loss of the protective paint on my car can and has been leading to rust issues on the metal underneath the paint. This is known to weaken the vehicle's body structure. This is especially problematic in potential areas of the car that are prone to collision, thereby compromising the vehicles safety over time, if allowed to continue to delaminate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? All across the internet people are posting their pictures of their white Kia Sorento having the exact issue mine has. Also in the small town I live in there are at least 10 people who drive a white Kia Sorento like mine and each…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2025Electrical system, Structure, SeatsODI 11645681
“I have a 2013 Kia Sorento with severe paint delamination. The paint is chipping across multiple areas of the vehicle, and I need assistance resolving this issue with Kia to secure coverage for a complete repaint.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2025StructureODI 11633492
“The snow white pearl paint on my 2013 Kia Sorento is chipping and peeling off due to a latent effect .. starting at the front bumper .. grill assembly..a pillars .. hood ..roof and is now starting to chip on back latch.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2024StructureODI 11621617
“Kia sorento pearl white paint peeling off the car leading to rust and corrosion. Started around May of 2021 at about 120000 miles has continued to progress around the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2024StructureODI 11603362
“Color pearl white. Abnormal peeling of paint despite not having any damage to initiate. Along the front and all edges where the doors curve to meet the windows. When there is damage from a rock from the road whole sheets will lift and peel off. This was a defective paint job and should be remedied by Kia.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2024StructureODI 11566607

Showing 6 of 91 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.