Body problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

My car paint is peeling very bad the color is snow white pear the hole car.

Delamination of paint.

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.

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 one is losing their paint to peeling and delamination. Just driving across California you can see that this is a manufacturing issue that has effected most all their customers who bought a white kia from 2013 - 2018. After reading this question I am making an appointment to go into an official kia dealership to address this issue and get their feedback and hopefully a resolution on their end. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have not had anyone inspect it to date, but intend on getting an appointment with kia at their next available opening. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? there were no precursors. Car was perfect when I purchased.

Kia sorrento 2013 white paint peeling off all over my car. At first I thought it was my fault, but I take great care of my car and this has never happened before. Large sections of the paint are peeling off on the drivers side door as of most recent (11/23) and the top began peeling off around (10/21)and only solution is to strip and repaint the entire car which is extremely costly. According to my research many kia owners with this paint have the same issue and it should not be ignored.

The paint has peeled and I see every white 2013 kia sorrento with the same problem. The paint is defective and should be compensated for it. There are many blogs with people having the same issue.

White paint is peeling off on hood and roof.

The inside paneling on the driver side rear door is detaching from the frame and catching on the rubber seal. It is causing the door to be inoperable and unable to open from the inside causing a safety concern in the event of an immediate need to evacuate.

Around June 11, 2023, I took my car to the dealership for a recall item. They washed the car and a large section of the paint came off around the windshield. The kia dealership said that kia corporate is aware of the problem but is not paying to have it fixed. I had to pay the dealership to have it repainted. I now see other small areas on the hood that are starting to chip as well.

I took my Sorento to an automotive center because the paint is peeling off on 2 areas and I wanted to have it painted. I was told there’s a problem with the primer that was used by kia. They said the same problem is happening with other manufacturers such as Toyota and possibly Hyundai and those companies have a recall on their vehicles. He told me to check for a recall but I see there isn’t one yet. I checked some kia Sorento reviews and there are several kia owners who are having the same issue. So I wanted to make you aware of the problem and hopefully with enough vehicles with the same problem a recall will be issued. I attached photos. Thank you!.

The paint started peeling from the hood in my field of vision.

When driving on the highway, paint unexpectedly peels off in large (hand size or larger) sections mainly from the roof. Although it doesn't hurt cars behind you, the shock of being hit and/or the obstruction of view for drivers behind you can lead to a pile up if the driver swerves or freaks out. (similar risk to a sheet of paper suddenly covering the wind shield on the driver's side).

Yesterday I drove home from work and this morning when leaving I notice paint missing from my car near the passenger side of the windshield. There is no reason this should be happening. My car is kept in a garage. This is a paint defect and I would like this taken care of. I will be calling kia in the morning and will be getting a lawyer.

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. . . .

The door handel broke off and the backup camera, radio system stop working no viewing for rear camera.

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.

My 2013 pearl white kia’s paint is chipping all over it started about two years ago with a little spot and now it’s all over. Seems like every time I drive move comes off.

My car is painted pearl white and has peeled and exposed the metal for a few years. We have patched it the best we can but it happens at another spot. I have included a picture. There has been a recall on Toyota and I believe 2014 kia with the same issue regarding white paint problems.

I have a 2013 kia Sorento, I am the only owner and purchased the vehicle new from the dealership. I have kept this vehicle part and housed in a covered garage for the entire duration of owning the vehicle keeping it from being exposed to extreme elements any kind of horrible storms it's always been protected in the garage. Even though I've taken good care of the vehicle and housed it in a covered and closed garage for all the years I've owned it I still have the entire paint job starting to peel off in sheets of paint on the side front panels next to the windshield the roof and the hood in large sheet light pieces are coming straight off of my car it's as if it was never adhered to the metal of the vehicle very well or I guess detailing chops are calling it delamination but what it is is ridiculous that my car now looks like it's 10 years older than it is because the paint is peeling off like it's not been taking care of and that's a load of c***even though I've taken good care of the vehicle and housed it in a covered and closed garage for all the years I've owned it I still have the entire paint job starting to peel off in sheets of paint on the side front panels next to the windshield the roof and the hood in large sheet light pieces are coming straight off of my car it's as if it was never adhered to the metal of the vehicle very well or I guess detailing chops are calling it delamination but what it is is ridiculous that my car now looks like it's 10 years older than it is because the paint is peeling off like it's not been taken care of when that is clearly not the case. I have seen so many other kia Sorentos that are pearl white like mine, same year, with the same issue. They are having sheets of paint peeling right off the vehicle so there's obviously an issue kia's paint jobs on that year make and model because there is nothing more I could have done on my end to prevent this from happening, so kia needs to recognize their faulty work and get it handled.

Paint peeling on roof and right front pillar.

My car is white pearl and my paint is pilling really bad.

White pearl style paint is peeling off car. Peeling off roof and side door panel. Electrical does not work in steering wheel to control radio volume etc. Electrical doesn’t work to control automatic seat adjustment option.

Paint has been peeling in multiple areas of exterior of car. I have seen other kia Sorentos of my year and color (snow pearl white) that are peeling as well. Paint is defective, it’s a latent defect.

I own a 2013 kia Sorento with 39,000 miles on it. It has pearl white paint that is rapidly peeling off. It started peeling around a year and half ago when mileage was around 34,000 miles. I have contacted kia consumer assistance center and they asked for 2 estimates to repair the paint problem. When received they the estimates they said it’s out of warranty and refused any responsibility for the defective paint. Kia has sent me extended warranties on the engine, air bags and other items. I assume the only reason for extra warranties is that the car was built with unreliable parts. The paint is a big item that kia should stand behind with some type of warranty. It too is defective to where it just peels off. This makes the car worthless.

I have a pearl white 2013 kia Sorento and the paint keeps peeling off. I had the roof repaired and now it is on the top of the doors.

The paint is peeling off of the roof as well as on the hood. Was told by a body shop that the primer used by kia is incorrect and will cause the paint to not adhere properly.

Dear kia, 1st of all I love my kia sorrento. The only problem I have is that the original paint is peeling off the vehicle. Now my car is 8 yrs old and the original paint is starting to peel and the metal is showing, on the passenger side of the front windshield. Now to me it seems that the original paint that was used for my car must have a defect. When, have you heard of the original paint peeling from the vehicle to where the metal is showing, that does not happened unless the paint is faulty I have 2002 Dodge caravan (white) and that has never happened, I also have a 2004 Ford truck 150 (white) and that has never happened. As you can see how old these vehicles are and their original paint of the automobiles is still there. Now I know it’s the original paint, but if you need for me to take it to a kia expert I will so they can analyze it. I have had a lot of great compliments on my kia sorrento the people think is a brand-new car because the color looks well treated. When I tell them that it’s a 2013 they complement me on how well the color is kept and what it is equipped with. Now what am I going to tell them when they that ask me about my kia, that the car is great but the paint they use is not of good quality, that after a couple of years it starts to peel down to the metal. Now I could tell you my car’s paint is not warned out or faded it still looks new. I have attached photos of my cars so you can see what I am talking about.

Exterior paint is rapidly falling off the car, to the degree that the outer paint will completely delaminate. It appears to be a serious manufacturing defect, as the car has been properly cared for, and the peeling has nothing to do with scratches, dents or other abrasions. The peeling paint is accessible to children, including my own, who could easily get it on their hands and ingest, making it a major hazard. I've taken it to two auto body shops, who refuse to touch up the peeling areas, because they insist that the only fix is a complete paint strip and repainting of the entire car.

I have a 2013 kia Sorento sx snow white pearl. This vehicle has been garage kept its entire life. In spite of this, the paint has begun delaminating above the windshield (just yesterday 08/17/21). Many spots are down to the bare metal. I have never heard of paint doing this on a car. . . . My 20-year-old truck paint is in great condition. I now must get this vehicle painted to avoid rust.

Pearl white paint is peeling bad especially above windshield. Now it’s starting to rust. Several other spots on car body. Started out small now it has gotten worse.

Paint peeling and chipping off my car and my insurance stated they will not cover a manufacture defect….

My 2013 kia Sorento sx (paint color: pearl white) began to to peel pain around August 2021 with around 90,000 miles on the car. I am the original owner and it has been kept in the garage most of the time. The paint peeling happened rapidly on the painted section between the windshield and sunroof. I googled the issue and apparently it is widespread since 2011 on a lot of kia and Hyundai models especially with pear white paint. I took it to a kia dealer who referred me to their paint contractor (dent magic) CO-located with them. I spoke with the team and asked for an estimated. As soon as the estimator saw it he said "OH yes the is paint delamination, it was pretty wide spread on the vehicles a few years back. I am surprised yours took so long to peel. It was likely because you have garage kept it and it looks like you keep it in great condition. There was a manufacturing defect when they painted these cars and essentially the factory forgot to prime certain panels of the vehicles so the paint is not sticking properly. Unfortunately, kia has not recalled this most likely because it is not a safety issue and the government has not forced them. However, if you leave it and it rusts it could cause lots of issues down the road. " the gentleman then provided me with an estimate of $725. 63. I then got 2 other estimates that were both over $1000. I ended up going with the kia recommendation of dent magic for $725. I am hoping none of the other panels start to peel, I feel it is inevitable.

I own a 2013 kia Sorento with pearl white paint. It started peeling huge chunks of paint off of the top of my car. There is no reason the paint should just be peeling off, often in huge peeling strips. I am aware of other makes and models with this paint around my production year that have had recalls to fix this defective paint. I believe kia should be included in this recall. I have included pictures, the last picture is of three average size paint chunks that are coming off daily.

The paint on my roof is chipping and peeling. I purchased the vehicle used with ±65k miles. After about a year, ±12k miles I noticed some small chipping just above the windshield. I assumed it was normal road debris causing it. Then the paint started to peel back. Just recently a patch about 8" x 6" peeled off. There are other concerned kia owners suffering the same issues. Now small areas of where the paint chipped/peeled off is starting to rust. The color of the vehicle is pearl white, which is the most common kia paint to chip or peel. I purchased a 3 year extended warranty when I bought the car. The dealer I purchased the vehicle from was not a kia dealer so may not have known about the peeling paint issue with the Sorento and pearl white paint.

When attempting to open the driver's side passenger door, the door handle came completely off the car. I therefore could not get my grandchild out of the car from that side and had to crawl over through the passenger side rear door to get her out. Apparently, this is a common problem because when I called a repair shop to ask what it would cost to replace, they told me they do these all the time and yes, it's a common problem. Found many complaints on line also. This is a dangerous situation. If there was an emergency to get someone out of a car on that side quickly you could not do it. Very disappointed in this cheap plastic handle.