NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Sorento. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE ENGINE SPRAYED OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA (9929 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (844) 755-6461). THE DEALER WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO DETERMINE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAULTY ENGINES THAT WERE SHIPPED FROM KOREA; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,337.
ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO, WHILE CRUISING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF APPX 55 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, TOTALLY LOST POWER. DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS OPERABLE. ON THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, I MANAGED TO STEER CAR ONTO SHOULDER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, CAR RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT. LATER ON THE EVENING OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, SOMETIME IN 2016, I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN THE FOB AND THOUGHT THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AFTER SECOND INCIDENT (3/5/17), I TOOK CAR TO HERSON'S KIA IN ROCKVILLE, MD. THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT (12/12/18), I TOOK IT BACK TO HERSON'S KIA. THEY CHECKED AND SAW THAT A RECALL PROCEDURE (SC 106) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON AN EARLIER VISIT. THEY AGAIN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH AGAIN REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IF THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS THIRD INCIDENT WAS PRETTY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE CENTER LANE OF A FIVE-LANE HIGHWAY, SO I COULDN'T PULL OVER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SITUATION THAT COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING. ALTHOUGH MY WEB RESEARCH FINDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER 2010--2013 KIA SORENTOS,, KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.
ENGINE OIL USE EVERY 1.000 MILES GIVE OR TAKE CAR IS USING 1 TO 1 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL. I HAVE TAKING MY CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER THEY HAVE DONE A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND HAVE VERIFIED THAT CAR IS USING OIL.I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK 3 TIME FOR THEM TO CHECK OIL LEVEL AND FOR THEM TO SAY YEP ITS USING OIL .AND WENTON TO TELL ME THAT KIA CORP WILL NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE.SO EVERY 1.000 MILES I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT TILL IT BLOWS UP.THIE IS SO SAD I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND KIA WILL NOT STAND BY REPAIRS.IM A DIESEL TRUCK SERVICE MANAGER AT A NAVASTAR DEALER.AND WE WOULD NOT TREAT ARE CUST THIS WAY.WE HAVE REPLACED $30.000 MOTORS CAUSE OF OIL USE.CAN YOU PLEASE HELP THANKS FOR YOUR TIME JOEL B [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, AIR BAG LIGHT IS TURNED ON AFTER REPLACING BATTERY IN CAR, AND CAR WON'T PASS SMOG BECAUSE O2 SENSOR READINESS AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORS WON'T SHOW READY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND CAR IS NOT PULLING ANY ERROR CODES, BOTH UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AIR FILTERS CHANGED, AND FUEL SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AND STILL DID NOTHING TO MAKE THE MONITORS SHOW READY
FIRST TIME IN 2017 STARTED CAR AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, AS I DROVE IT GOT LOUDER, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DROVE IT TO KIA DEALER AND MOTOR HAD THROWN A ROD, KIA HONORED THEIR RECALL AND SUPPOSED NEW MOTOR WAS INSTALLED WITH 60 DAYS. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY, 15,000 MILES ON NEW MOTOR, AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I PULLED OVER WITHIN A MINUTE AND CALLED TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO KIA DEALER. THEY WERE HOPING IT WAS JUST A COIL, BUT TODAY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE MOTOR AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID KIA SAID I MUST HAVE DROVE IT A LOT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER MOTOR ??? I HAD BOUGHT THE EXTRA 20,000 MILE GUARANTEE, SO EVEN THOUGH THIS SUPPOSED NEW MOTOR ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES RUNNING TIME ON IT, MY MILEAGE IS AT 111,000 SINCE THE FIRST ONE BLEW AT 95,000. SO I SHOULD STILL BE GETTING ANOTHER MOTOR, BUT, AFTER READING ALL OF THESE ACCOUNTS, LOOKS LIKE I WAS SO LUCKY FOR IT NOT TO HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE, EVEN IF I GET IT BACK, I DON'T THINK I CAN PUT MY GRANDKIDS IN IT AGAIN, AND ITS ALMOST PAID OFF, LOVE MY CAR, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, SOON.
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 11-26-18, ABOUT A MILE OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY CAR MADE A REALLY HIGH PITCH SQUEAL SOUND FOLLOWED BY A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, PULLED IN TO THE CLOSEST BUSINESS TO IT KNOCKING AND IT HAD STALLED RIGHT WHERE IT WAS PARKED, HAVE I NOT PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT IT WOULD HAVE STALLED ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. HAD IT TOWED IN TO A DEALERSHIP ON THE MORNING OF 11-27-18, THEY SAID IT IS ENGINE FAILURE. THE 2012 KIA SORENTO DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT YET AND GETS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES SO THERE REALLY IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED. IT WAS A PERFECT RUNNING VEHICLE WITHOUT EVER HAVING ANY ISSUE WITH IT WHAT SO EVER, NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING GOING OUT EITHER, NOT EVEN A DASH INDICATOR LIGHT! HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE INTERNET, THERE'S A RECALL OUT FOR THIS TYPE OF THING BUT MY CAR ISN'T IN THE BATCH THAT WAS RECALLED???!!! I THINK THIS IS ABSURD!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A LACK OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MURRAY KIA (LOCATED AT 1402 WEST RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 279-3020) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS KIA (LOCATED AT 4955 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 206-4284) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE ENGINE CONSUMED OIL, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,276. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front headlight had stopped working. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the wiring harness in the headlight was melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The headlight assembly was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, MY CAR SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN PARTICULARLY WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. THOUGHT IT COULD BE SHOCK ABSORBERS. A LOCAL CAR REPAIR PLACE REPLACED STRUT MOUNTS, BRAKE PADS AND NEW SHOCKS AT A COST OVER $3000. AFTER PAYING FOR THIS, MY CAR MADE THE SAME SOUND WHICH I CAPTURED ON VIDEO. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL KIA SORENTO. I PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION TO REPAIR SHOP AND RETURNED FOR PROPER FIX. THEY DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS CAR #SA178. THEY MADE THIS CORRECTION AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT KIA FOR REIMBURSEMENT. KIA REFUSED SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT REPAIRED AT A KIA DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NO HELP ME. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SORENTOS, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I AM OUT OF POCKET OVER $3K. NOT HAPPY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS FELL ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PETE'S CAR SMART KIA (4701 S SONCY ROAD, AMARILLO, TX 79119) FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TURNED ON AND MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I HEAR THE ENGINE TURN OFF WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA GOING DOWN HILL AND SPEED LIMIT WAS 25 MPH SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE GEARS WERE STUCK AS WELL, IT WOULD NOT LET ME PARK THE CAR. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN CAR OFF AND IT WORKED. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING. I THEN WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN CAR ON LIGHTS ON AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICE ROUTINELY AND NO WARNING OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CARS ENGINE SEIZED UP. I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE BREAKS AND POWER STEARING AND IT WAS SMOKING AS I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SEATS OUT OF THE BACK AND LET IT COOL DOWN SOME BUT THE ELECTRIC IN IT WAS NOT WORKING SO IT WOULDNT TURN OVER. IT LEFT ME STRANDED A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM MY HOUSE WITH 2 INFANTS. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND CHANGED THE BATTERY IN IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD TURN OVER AND IT DID. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN THERE WAS A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND THE CAR WOULD STALL IF I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND PRESS THE GAS. WHEN I CALLED KIA THEY TOLD ME MY VIN WASNT COVERED IN THE ENGINE RECALL SO IM FILING A COMPLAINT.
UPON EXITING THE FREEWAY ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP, MY ELDERLY FATHER, 9 YEAR OLD SON AND I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF AN ISSUE AND WE JUST TRAVELLED ABOUT 250 MILES. I TYPICALLY DRIVE ALOT IN THE CITY AS WELL. IN THIS CASE, I PULLED INTO THE HOTEL PARKING LOT (RIGHT OFF THE FREEWAY) AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THIS OCCURRED ON SATURDAY EVENING AND WE WERE COMING INTO TOWN FOR AN EVENT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO CONTACT WARRANTY FOREVER UNTIL MONDAY. FEARFUL, BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD OF THE MANY SPONTANEOUS FIRES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON MY VEHICLE TYPE, WE HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE IT TOWED AND INSPECTED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE IN MY VEHICLE, UNDER RECALL, JUST LAST YEAR. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, VERY SCARY. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO UPLOAD ANY NEEDED DOCUMENTATION AFTER AN INSPECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
ENGINE BEARING FAILURE VERY SIMILAR TO ENGINE RECALL FOR THE OTHER TYPES OF KIA 2.4 SORENTO ENGINES. THIS ENGINE IS A 2.4L DOHC CVVT 4-CYL. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE NEEDS NEW ENGINE.
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHTS PREVIOUS TO THE STALL. ON THE HIGHWAYS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN MANY WARNING LIGHTS ALL APPEARED AT THE SAME TIME OF THE STALL. UPON TOWING THE CAR TO A NEARBY SHOP WE WERE INITIAL INFORMED IT APPEARS THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED.
THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. WE HAVE MADE REGULAR OIL CHANGES ON THE CAR. THERE WAS FOUND TO BE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT IS 2012 WITH 88,861 MILES ON IT. IT WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD TO TOWED TO LIBERTYVILLE KIA DEALER. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN WITH THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO TURN ONLY LANE HEADED FOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR JUST SEIZED UP AND STALLED OUT. I GLIDED TO STOP AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED IT BACK ON. I ACCELERATED ONTO ON RAMP OF HIGHWAY AND IT SEIZED UP AGAIN COMPLETELY STALLING. WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVELS THERE WAS HAD NONE, MY HUSBAND BROUGHT ME 4 QUARTS OF OIL (ALWAYS FOLLOWED DEALERSHIP PROTOCOL ON OIL CHANGES), TRIED ENGINE AGAIN NOTHING. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY REMOVED AND DISSEMBLED THE ENGINE TO FIND POINT OF FAILURE. FOUND #1 AND #4 CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS TO HAVE SPUN AND WELDED THEM SELF TO THE CRANK SHAFT, ALSO FOUND #2 AND #3 TO BE WORN DOWN/CHEWED UP, FOUND BEARING DEBRIS IN THE OIL PAN AND THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND ALL NEEDED SEALS AND GASKETS.
TAKATA RECALL: I PURCHASED MY CALL FEB. 11, 2017 AND STARTING MAY I STARTED HAVING ALL KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FUSED KEPT BLOWING OPEN EVERY OTHER DAY. NOW FAST FORWARD TO 2018 I GO IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FIND THAT MY ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL. THE MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ASAP. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE PASSED TWO WEEKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT MADE A TICKING SOUND, BUT DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE OIL WAS CHANGED RECENTLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED REGARDING AN OIL SHORTAGE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ENGINE LEAKS; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE SHOP THAT PERFORMED THE RECENT OIL CHANGE, BUT THEY HAD INCOMPLETE RECORDS OF THE OIL CHANGE, EVEN WITH THE CONTACT HAVING A RECEIPT. THE DEALER (GRIECO KIA OF DELRAY BEACH, 2255 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, (866) 858-7513) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN ENGINE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TURNING ONTO AN INTERSECTION AT NIGHT , BURST INTO FLAMES, POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AS WELL , VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES INSTANTLY AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT ADDED A QUART OF OIL EVERY FIVE HUNDRED MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK KIA OF MANCHESTER (1300 S PORTER ST, MANCHESTER, NH 03103, (603) 836-7600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13113751. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
OUR 80,000 MILE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE OUT OF THE BLUE, NO WARNING. WE HAD TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT PART OF THE GDI ENGINE RECALL, WE HAVE A DUAL OVERHEAD CAM (DOHC) ENGINE. THE DEALER SHIP REFUSED ASSISTANCE AS IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, THOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.
SUNROOF RANDOMLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. JUST THE FRONT PORTION THAT OPENS UP HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. LOCAL KIA DEALER CLOSING SO NOT TAKING APPOINTMENTS. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH RECOMMENDED CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. THEIR COMPUTER SAID HIGH RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG. LIGHT IS ON WHETHER SITTING IN THE CAR OR NOT SITTING IN IT BUT IGNITION ON. AS LONG AS CAR IS ON LIGHT IS ON. IT HAS ABOUT 79,000 MILES.
FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED, UPON INSPECTION THE HARNESS WIRE TO HEADLIGHT BURNED AND MELTED AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE BURNED. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO COMPUTER AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO KIA OWNERS OF NUMEROUS MODELS. APPARENTLY KIA INSTALLED A ODD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS HEADLIGHTS AND BURNS OUT WIRING . VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE CAUSING TO VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE LIGHTS AS WELL. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WON'T REPAIR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM CREATING A EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNER FOR A BADLY DESIGNED ARRANGEMENT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON I 95 IN DELAWARE THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET HAPPENING ONLY ON KIA VECHICLES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNION CITY AUTO MALL (4080 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 964-3825) AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,892.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A JUMPSTART. THE ENGINE MADE CLICKING NOISES BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BUT EVENTUALLY STALLED AGAIN AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STARTED CLICKING BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME AT 10 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (VIVA KIA BASSETT PLACE, 5800 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925 (915) 834-2300) WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.
HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL WORK ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT THEY WON'T. OFTEN TIMES, WE'VE HAD TO PULL OVER, LIFT THE HOOD, MESS WITH THE WIRING AND THEN IT WILL WORK FOR EITHER 3 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. EACH TIME WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANT TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A FEE AND THEN CHARGE A FEE TO REPAIR.
MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE BUT YET NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. WHY IS THIS? WHAT ARE WE DOING TO FIX THIS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE "ENGINE THREW A ROD". THE DEALER (STOKES KIA, 202 S. GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD, SOUTH GOOSE CREEK SC, 29445, (843)-572-7300) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,700.
THIS KIA SORENTO CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE DRIVER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND SHE COULD SEE SMOKE AND A FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE UNHARMED HOWEVER THE EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM DALLAS AUTO AUCTION BY MAS MOTORS IN DALLAS TX. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS KIA OF ARLINGTON.
MY HEADLIGHT PIGTAIL CAUGHT ON FIRE...I HAD IT REPLACED ...REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS IN IT AND NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE PIG TAIL CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN...THEY SAID IT MUST NE A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL START AT 200$ TO LOOK AT IT TO FIX....MU CAR ISNT THAT OLD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE.
ENGINE IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL - A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MI. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY NEAREST KIA DEALER WHO ON THE FIRST VISIT A MONTH AGO TOLD ME I NEEDED A TUNE-UP (NEW PLUGS, PCV VALVE, ETC. I JUST HAD A TUNE-UP AT MY REGULAR SVC RPR SHOP IN MAY. KIA DLR TOLD ME THEY DID NOT USE OEM ARTS, SO I OK'ED THE TUNE-UP AND SUGGESTED WORK TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP. PER THEIR ADVICE, I BROUGHT IT BSCK THIS WK AFTER PUTTING ON 1000 MI. AND IT WAS AGAIN A QT. LOW. THEY HAD A TECH LINE CASE OPEN WITH KIA FACTORY ON FIRT VISIT AND WORKED WITH THEM AGAIN THIS WK. KIA'S ANSWER IS THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE UNTIL TI THROWS A ROD. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE AND I SAFETY. WE LIVE IN A HIGH TRAFFICE CITY (ATLANTA) AND WHEN THE ENGINE BLOWS, WE COULD BE INJURED BADLY OR EVEN KILLED. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. NOTE: ENGINE RECALL WAS DONE LAST YEAR OR SO, SO I AM TOLD THE ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED FOR LIFE ANY TIME IT FAILS STILL UNACCEPTABLE DUE TO THE THREAT OF INJURY OR DEATH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE OIL WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL INSIDE THE ENGINE. FOUR QUARTS OF OIL WERE ADDED TO THE ENGINE. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE AT SONS KIA (100 SONS DR, MCDONOUGH, GA) FOR SERVICE, THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
ENGINE SHUT OFF GOING DOWN INTERSTATE, MECHINCE SAY IT SHOT LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES TOWED IN ENGINE GONE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE JENKINS AUTO GARAGE IN TENNESSEE
I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE A FIRE GUN THAN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY ON FIRE, I GOT MY TWO DAUGHTERS OUT OF THE TRUCK AND FIVE MINUTES LATER THE WHOLE TRUCK EXPLOTED
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that coolant was leaking onto the ground of the garage. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that while attempting to replace the head gasket, the thread had pulled out from the block. The contact was informed that the engine short block and additional parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the engine was not the engine included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 118,871.
ON 8/18/18 THE ENGINE OF MY KIA SORENTO BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND OUR DOG. I HAD MY SIX YEAR OLD AND ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS AND MY 9 YEAR OLD PUG IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. THE ENTIRE ENGINE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES WITH THEM SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE HOOD AT ALL SIDES. I YELLED FOR MY 6 YEAR OLD TO GET OUT BUT SHE FROZE AND WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING, SAYING "I CAN'T, I CAN'T GET OUT". I FIRST GOT MY ONE YEAR OLD OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND RAN AROUND AND PULLED MY 6 YEAR OLD OUT. I GOT THEM AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN WENT BACK AND GOT MY DOG OUT OF THE FRONT SEAT. THE FIRE SPREAD WITH SUCH SPEED AND THE THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS SO STRONG. THANK GOD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FAMILY OUT AS THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT MY VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS, MELTING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR THAT WE WERE SITTING IN JUST MINUTES PRIOR. NOTHING IN THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGEABLE. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT OF CHUCK OLSON KIA IN SHORELINE, WA. I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I SMELLED GAS AND WANTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT IT. THEY HAD REPLACED MY ENGINE ABOUT SIX WEEKS PRIOR UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WAS THE INSTILLATION OF THE ENGINE OR IF THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF KIA ENGINES BURSTING INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON, MY CAR HAD A FULL GAS TANK AND DID NOT NEED AN OIL CHANGE. I SMELLED GAS AS I DROVE MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND HOME AND CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO SAID TO TAKE IT IN. I WAS LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS I WAS DRIVING THERE. AS I PULLED UP I SAW THE SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED AND I BEGAN TO TURN AROUND WHEN THE FIRE STARTED.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF A FEW MONTHS AGO. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IS WAS A SHORT BECAUSE IT WENT OFF ANYTIME I MOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AROUND. I HAD MY SERVICE TECH CHECK IT A FEW TIMES, AND HE RESET IT. HE EVENTUALLY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO KIA. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE OCS MAT WAS BAD. IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. I WAS QUOTED $2601.29 FOR JUST THE PART! THEY SAID I NEEDED THE WHOLE CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. IMO, THEY SHOULD PUT A BACKUP SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THIS IF THEY'RE GOING TO PUT FAULTY PARTS IN THEIR SEATS. OR, THEY SHOULD CONSTRUCT A BETTER WAY TO REPAIR THESE WITHOUT A COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT. IT BASICALLY MEANS, IF I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WOULDN'T THINK ANYONE IS PRESENT IN THE SEAT. SO, IT WOULDN'T TRIGGER THE AIRBAG ON THAT SIDE. I'VE CONTEMPLATED BUILDING A BYPASS TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF EVEN IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT DURING A COLLISION. IT WAS SO BAD FOR THE 2009 VERSION, THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BYPASS FOR $50. BUT, THERE'S NO GOOD DOCUMENTATION ON THE 2012 MODEL. I DO HAVE 142,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BUT, I WOULD BET THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS BEEN USED ABOUT 30% OF THAT. SO, THIS IS A CASE OF A BAD PART. I HAVE PAMPERED THIS CAR. IT STILL LOOKS NEW. I PAID IT OFF AND HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT BLEW UP. NOW, I'M CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF IT AND BUYING A NEW CAR. I'D PREFER TO DRIVE FREE FOR AWHILE. BUT, I'M CERTAINLY NOT PAYING $3000 TO FIX THIS. I KNEW THEY HAD A RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS FOR THIS EXACT SAME THING. I'M NOT CONVINCED THEY CHANGED ANYTHING FOR THE 2012 MODEL. BUT, THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS AS NEEDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BLACK SMOKE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED MY SORENTO WAS MAKING A LOUD TICKING SOUND AND WAS STRUGGLING TO CHANGE GEARS. I PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY AS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND CAR TURNED OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THIS DESCRIPTION FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE ENGINE RECALLS ON 2012 SORENTO'S, BUT KIA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 80,989 MILES ON IT. MY MECHANIC REACHED OUT TO KIA TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE SEIZED, AND BELIEVED IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE AND THEY HUNG UP ON HIM.
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TURNING SIGNAL KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT'LL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN IT WILL STOP WORKING AGAIN.
SUN ROOF SHATTERED
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOW KNOCKING NOISE THEN IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND WOULDN'T TURN OVER ANYMORE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR. I DIDN'T GET ANY WARNING OTHER THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND LIGHTS WENT ON MY DASH, THEN STOPPED. I CALLED KIA SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE, SHE SAID THAT MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY. SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND NO CAR.
TAMARA RECALL: WHILE DRIVING ON BRIARCLIFF WAY IN ATLANTA, GA 30345 ON 8/5/18 GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH MY ENGINE MADE A LOUD POP SOUND AND BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART CAR; CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TOW CAR TO ED VOYLES KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHAMBLEE GA. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS DUE TO 'BROKEN TONE WHEEL INSIDE ENGINE CAME APART' ; ALLEGEDLY FIXED IT BY REPLACING ENGINE; SINCE SERVICE I HAVE BROUGHT 2012 SORENTO BACK TO ED VOYLES DUE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMING BACK ON IN WHICH ED VOYLES JUST TURNS IT OFF STATING; 'WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FRANK FLETCHER KIA, 2901 SE MOBERLY LN, BENTONVILLE, AR 72712, (479) 845-4343), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,109.
HEADLAMP OUT AND UPON INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED. SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A FAILURE OF THE SOCKET AS THE WIRING CHECKED OUT FINE. HAD TO REPLACE WITH NEW SOCKET. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART PER EVERY 600 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF LAUREL (14921 BALTIMORE AVE, LAUREL, MARYLAND), BUT NO FAILURE WAS LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE) IN 2016 AND THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE ABS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF WEST CHESTER (LOCATED AT 326 WESTTOWN RD, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382, (610) 429-3500) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026