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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FORT MYER KIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,478. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS
NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE IS FROZEN AT THE STARTUP SCREEN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS ONLY 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE NAV DISPLAY UNIT. IN MY CASE THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE.
ON 12/27 THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER WITH A COST OF ALMOST $300. THE HANDLE WAS IN HER HAND. YESTERDAY THE REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT WITHOUT THE HANDLE YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND AS SUCH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE REAR PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. WE HAVE CANALS NEXT TO THE ROAD IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THUS I AM REPORTING THIS. TWO DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLES IN TWO WEEKS. VERY DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 90 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AND DECREASED IN ACCELERATION UNTIL THE CONTACT REACHED THE DEALER. CATHEDRAL CITY KIA OF CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA REPLACED THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
I NOTICED THAT UPON STARTING , MY KIA LET OUT BLUE SMOKE. I SAW NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO OIL ON THE GROUND, NO INDICATION OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE SMOKE. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 95,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE THE CAR AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE AND DRIVING FINE. THREE DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NO OTHER INDICATORS WERE PRESENT. I DROVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND IT SEIZED UP WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I CHANGED THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS & DID THE NORMAL SERVICE WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND REAR END. THE REAR END WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT. I DID NOT HAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES. I AM TRYING TO GET KIA TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THEY WILL COVER THE REAR END BUT NOT THE ENGINE AT THIS POINT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, ATTEMPTED TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR
CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, STATIONARY, ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER OWNING IT FOR 10 MONTHS. 104,000 MILES, OIL CHANGES REGULAR, METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, NO OIL LIGHTS OR ENGINE LIGHTS ON. *TR
WHEN ME AND MY HUSBAND PURCHASED THE SUV USED IN 2016 FROM A HUYNDAI DEALER THAT IS LOCAL, THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SENSOR LIT THAT WE HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT WAS. WE WERE NEVER TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THEY TOLD US THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION THAT IT WAS INSPECTED AND EVERYTHING. WE TOOK THE SUV TO KIA IN 2019 TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED, AND HAD THEM CHECK THE MOTOR TO SEE IF THEY COULD EXPLAIN WHY WE WERE GOING THRU OIL WEEKLY. WHILE WE WERE THERE THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD US THAT THE OCS MAT DOES NOT FUNCTION THAT IT NEEDS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHAT THAT SENSOR IS FOR WHICH WE WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN AND THE DEALER THAT SOLD IT TO US NEVER TOLD US ANYTHING. I FIGURED IT WAS A WEIGHT SENSOR FOR A CHILD AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON THE SAFETY OF VEHICLES.... ALSO, WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN THE DEALER SOLD US THE VEHICLE AS IS THAT THEY NEVER HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION DONE PRIOR TO PUT IT ON THE LOT. THE LAST DOCUMENTED SAFETY INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE WAS DONE WHEN IT WAS SOLD BRAND NEW WHEN THE FIRST ORIGINAL OWNER BOUGHT IT FROM THE KIA LOT I BELIEVE IN ANOTHER STATE. KIA TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO DO THE SAFETY INSPECTION BEFORE SELLING IT ON THE LOT BECAUSE A NON KIA DEALER SOLD US THE VEHICLE. I DID CONTACT CALIFORNIA STATE ABOUT MY COMPLAINTS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO PROVE I DIDN'T CAUSE IT BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT IN THE SUV THAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF..... I AM DRIVING DAILY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITHOUT WORKING AIRBAGS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE OCS MAT AND I BELIEVE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. ALSO, WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH OUR GASKET THAT WE HAD TO GET FIXED, WE ARE CONSTANTLY GOING THRU OIL AND WE ONLY DRIVE IT AROUND TOWN. WE ARE HAVING TO ADD OIL IN IT EVERY WEEK SO THE ENGINE DOES NOT BLOW. WE NOW HAVE A VACUUM LEAK IN THE GASKET.
DRIVING ON A CITY HIGHWAY AT APPROX 40MPH, ENGINE DIED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST POWER STEERING ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO CALL TOWING COMPANY TO GET IT TO KIA MAIN DEALER. ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED (SPUN MAIN BEARING). IT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE USING MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC OIL. ENGINE WAS AT 111,000 MILES AND IS BEING REPLACED UNDER KIA 120K MILE EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 50 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE LOCATED IN THE OIL, AND THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
THE ENGINE STARTED BURNING OIL, THE ENGINE HAD 65,707 MILES WHEN WE NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP PEOPLE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE AND THEY ONLY REBUILD IT. WE'RE SO UPSET AND NOT SUPPORTED SINCE WE ARE STILL PAYING A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NOT HAVING GUARANTEE O HOW LONG THIS FIX WILL WORK. *TR
A LITTLE AFTER 100,000 MILES, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON. I SIMPLY BOUGHT MORE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THEM UNTIL ONE DAY I FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. I WAS ABLE TO BUY A NEW HARNESS AND HAVE IT WIRED IN. THEN, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE CONNECTOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS STARTING TO COME APART, WITH THE LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILING ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME NOW - SO I ASSUME THAT THIS ONE IS ALSO ON THE WAY TO MELTING AS IT IS FOLLOWING THE SAME MANNERS AS THE DRIVER SIDE HAD PRIOR TO MELTING.
WITHIN THE WEEK BEFORE WEDNESDAY, 10/12/16, BOTH MY WIFE AND I HEARD A "CLICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE NOTIFIED OUR LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC AND THEY, TOO, HEARD THE NOISE BUT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MAKE ANY DIAGNOSIS. THEN, ON THE DATE NOTED, AFTER ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC ON A 4-LANE HWY (HWY 101, SOUTH TOWARD SANTA ROSA, CA), AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ALARMING KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE / QUIT, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO BRAKE AND PULL OFF IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT WE COULD NOT PROCEED SAFELY, SO WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE US BACK TO LAKEPORT. THERE OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US OF THE NEED OF AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
10/09/2016 DRIVING HOME FROM BEING EVACUATED BECAUSE OF HURRICANE MATTHEW, WITH MY DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW AND GRANDBABY. WHILE GOING DOWN THE HWY 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I FELT A THUMP UNDER MY FOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE LATER LEARNED IT WAS THE ROD THAT WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THANK GOD MY HUSBAND COSTED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE, IT WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED FOR HELP FROM A FRIEND THEY PICKED US UP. TOWED THE CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN MYRTLE BEACH. WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THEY ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR A NEW MOTOR. THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT!! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?? WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS. WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE?
ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEAR A LOUD POP. THEN AFTER THAT I COULD HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR AT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A ROD KNOCKING, IF I COULD PROVIDE PROOF OF OIL CHANGES EVERY 7500 MILES THEY WOULD SEE IF KIA WOULD COVER THIS. MY OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 5000 BUT DONE AT HOME NOT A DEALERSHIP OR LUBE PLACE. I DID NOT KEEP MY RECEIPTS OF OIL AND FILTER BOUGHT. THEREFORE I WAS OUT OF LUCK. THEY COULD GET A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $6100 WITH A YEAR WARRANTY. BUT, THEY COULD NOT FIND A USED MOTOR. THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS SO RUDE TO ME ON THE PHONE AND EVEN USED FOUL LANGUAGE. HE SAID THAT I HAD NEVER SERVICED MY CAR WHICH IS NOWHERE NEAR THE TRUTH.
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. NO ACCIDENTS OR SUCH. CHECKED FUSES AND THEY ARE FINE. PLEASE HAVE KIA COMPLETE A RECALL. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH ALL KIA'S
CAR CAN SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT BREAKS BEING ENGAGED. I CAN MOVE MY GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE WITHOUT PUSHING MY BREAK. THIS INCLUDES WITH MY CAR RUNNING OR NOT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE, THICK WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE AROUND THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWITCH TO THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO GET HOME. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER UTILIZED THE WRONG SIZE WIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE THIS MONTH AND THE HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500.
TOOK THE CAR 6 WEEKS LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. STARTING COLD, ENGINE MAKING NOISE ( LIKE TAPPATS, LOUD} THE SERVICE MAN AND KIA TECH. HEARD THE SOUND AGREED BUT THE WORK ORDER STATED LIKE SIMULAR ENGINE. NOW NO WARRANTY. EXPIRED . KIA REP. STATED MUST BRING THE CAR TO DEALER ( 70 MILES EACH WAY} AND HAVE $300 FOR TAKEN THE ENGINE APART AND DRIVE ROD IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY IF NEEDED. TRANPORTATION I ON MY OWN.
I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 KIA SORENTO AND WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE 10 YR / 100,000 MILES WARRANTY ( A BIG PART IN THE DECISION ) TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. IN SEPTEMBER 2016 THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO START , THE MECHANIC STATED THE STARTER WAS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR EVALUATION, AND FURTHER MORE THE STARTER WAS NOT COVERED, EVEN. THOUGH THERE IS A LIST OF ITEMS NOT COVERED AND THE STARTER IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, THE RODS CAME APART, AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
2012 KIA SORENTOS ARE JUNK!! IN OCT I WILL HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS, MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE OR AT LEAST IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, FEEL TOTALLY SHAFTED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME A MORE EXPENSIVE OLDER CAR WITH LOADS OF MILES BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. ANYWAY THE THE CAR IS JUNK, AFTER PAYING $85 A DOOR TO CHANGE 3 DOORS I JUST SUPERGLUED THEM THINGS BACK ON AND TADA NO MORE HANDLES POPPING OFF. DRIVING MY CAR TODAY NORMAL JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY, SPEND A COUPLE HOURS IN THE OFFICE, COME OUT TO GO HOME AND NOTICE THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, IT MUST BE A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG! SO NOW I GET TO DRIVE AROUND AND WORRY ABOUT MY AIRBAG GOING OFF BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED OR EVEN LOOKED AT. HOW DOES A 4 YEAR OLD CAR HAVE AIRBAG ISSUES?? THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY PULL A RECALL, ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT ONE COMPANY HAD METAL SHRAPNEL SHOOTING OUT OF THEIR AIRBAGS AND KILLING AN INJURING PEOPLE! I AM TERRIFIED, I DRIVE WITH MY DAUGHTER ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY AT THE LEAST. THIS CAR HAS AIRBAGS EVERYWHERE, WHAT IF THEY GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY? AND THE DOOR HANDLES!?!? PLASTIC!! WHAT A JOKE! TRYING TESTING THEM IN A CONSTANTLY SUNNY STATE LIKE FLORIDA!!! RIDICULOUS JUNK!!
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. WE HAD A NEAR MISS WITH THE PERSON BEHIND US BUT WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, IT NOW HAS A LOUD CLANK COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND STILL NO POWER. WE WERE STRANDED UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE MOTOR, SAID HE HAS HAD TO FIX MANY OF THESE ISSUES ON THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR, GDI 2.4 L AND THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE NOTHING WE DID. THE CAUSE WAS FROM METAL SHAVINGS BLOCKING OIL PASSAGE TO THE RODS AND THE ROD BEARINGS WENT OUT CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING.
THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN ACCELERATE TO SPEED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE YONKERS KIA DEALERSHIP ON CENTRAL PARK AVENUE IN YONKERS NY ON AUGUST 5TH, 2016 TO LOOK INTO A PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS RUINED DO TO SLUG BUILD UP. I WAS TOLD THAT A REPLACEMENT WOULD COAST ABOUT $10,000. ODD FOR ME BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND NO INDICATION OF ENGINE ISSUES DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SPEAKING TO A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HE STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SUPPORT PROOF OF MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR WHICH WOULD ALLOW MY REPAIRS DONE UNDER OUR WARRANTY. I BECAME EXTREMELY DISILLUSIONED AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO KIA DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE TIED TO THE MANUFACTURER. WE WERE DENIED SERVICE UNDER THE WARRANTY WHICH WE ARE STILL UNDER. OUR CAR IS FAIRLY NEW WITH LESS THAN 25K MILES. WE CARRIED OUT ALL OF THE STEPS THUS FAR INCLUDING TAKING CARE OF OUR INVESTMENT, PROVING OUR CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF INCLUDING KEEPING METICULOUS ANNOTATIONS (KEPT IN THE LOG PROVIDED BY KIA) AND RECEIPTS TO DATE. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BIG COMPANIES LOOKING FOR LOOPHOLES AND USING TACTICS TO SWINDLE PEOPLE OF THEIR HARD EARNED PAYCHECKS. HOWEVER, KIA DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR US. OUR PAPERWORK/LOG/RECEIPTS ARE BEING TAKEN APART WITH PREJUDICE IN ORDER TO NOT PROVIDE SERVICES AND RECTIFY THIS ISSUE THAT IS PROVEN TO BE A DEFECT. WE ARE CONCLUDING THAT BASED ON THE POOR HANDLING OF OUR CASE AND MANY OTHERS LIKE OURS, KIA AND ITS AFFILIATES /DEALERS AND CORPORATE, ARE NOT ABOUT SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ALL WE ASK IS THAT KIA HONORS ITS WARRANTY RATHER THAN FINAGLE USE ON THE FABRICATED NOTION THAT WE ARE AT FAULT RATHER THAN POOR ENGINEERING.
CAN NOT MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR IS STARTED. CAN NOT SHIFT CAR OUT OF SELECTED GEAR WHEN MOTOR IS RUNNING. ESC LITE IS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND BRAKE LITES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THESE DEFECTS OCCUR. SYMPTONS EXPERIENCED ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000. KIA DEALER REPLACED BRAKE LITE SWITCH-SAYS SUV DOES NOT FALL WITHIN POPULATION OF VEHICLES IDENTIFIED UNDER KIA SC098 RECALL. I AM OF THE OPINION MY SUV SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THIS KIA RECALL AND I SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. MY 2012 SUV SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000 / KIA SC098.
JULY 2016, WHILE HWY DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO (V6) (@69,000 MILEAGE) THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED & SMOLDERED (POLICE CALLED FIRE DEPT). CAR WAS INOPERABLE, TOWED TO SHOP & THEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THAT RADIATOR CAP MELTED & THEY FOUND "METAL IN COOLANT & THE ENGINE" (AS NOTED ON THE KIA DEALERHSHIP DOCUMENTATION). HE SAID HE NEVER SAW SUCH A THING. DEALER SAID ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF THE METAL FOUND IN ENGINE & METAL LIKELY CAUSED OVERHEATING WHICH MELTED RAD CAP. KIA DEALER INSTALLED NEW RADIATOR & A USED ENGINE (W/43K MILEAGE), COSTING ME $14,000. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND RECENTLY 7/2019, @122K MILES AGAIN SMOLDERED & LOST POWER. RADIATOR CAP AGAIN "MELTED" REQUIRING A 3RD RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. GAUGES/DASH SHOWED NO INDICATION OF CAR OVERHEATING. I FEAR PROBLEM IS RECURRING WITH 2ND ENGINE (SAME DEFECT). LEARNED OF 2012 SORENTO RECALLS FOR EXACT ISSUES (METAL IN ENGINE, OVERHEATING/FIRE, KNOCKING & POWER LOSS). KIA DEALER (8/2019) INFORMED ME ONLY 4 CYL UNITS WERE RECALLED FOR METAL IN ENGINE & MY 6 CYL UNIT WITH THE SAME ENGINE-METAL ISSUES WAS NOT COVERED BY KIA RECALL. I ASKED IF ANYTHING RELATED TO CAR USE OR MAINTENANCE WOULD HAVE CAUSED METAL TO CONTAMINATE AN ENGINE; DEALER SAID NO, PROBLEM IS UNRELATED TO CAR USE OR MAINTENANCE AND A MFG PROBLEM WAS THE ONLY WAY THE METAL WOULD SHOW UP IT. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 6 CYL MODELS REPAIR COSTS WERE MINE. THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT KIA. MY VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE 4 CYL MODELS & IT'S A UNIQUE DEFECT KNOWN ON NUMEROUS KIA MODELS. KIA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED MY IMPECCABLE PM & SERVICE REORD. THEY ADMIT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE DUE TO VEHICLE CARE OR USE, & KNOW THE PROBLEMS W/ MY 6 CYL ARE IDENTICAL TO 4CYLS. I BELIEVE KIA MAY BE UNDERREPORTING THE PROBLEM & FAILED DUE DILIGENCE TO IDENTIFY SAME DEFECTS IN 6 CYL MODELS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE RODS WERE TWISTING AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE. STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN STOPPED. HAD IT TOWED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE BEARINGS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CRANKSHAFT. 114,000 MILES SO OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AT COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000.
DRIVING 80MPH ON HIGHWAY, HEARD PINGING NOISE FROM ENGINE, CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 60MPH. CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS SUDDEN STALL EVENT. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.
I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL ON A CITY STREET AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CAR JUST SHUT-OFF. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST TELLS ME TO KEEP BRINGING IT IN. THEY CAN NEVER FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FRACTURED AND FRAGMENTS ENTERED INTO OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 09/23/16*LJ *TR
THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE MPG GOING UP AND DOWN LIKE A ROLLER COASTER. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I'VE INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT IT MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY STATE THEY DO NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM.
WRITING TO YOU AND FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA FOR THEIR LACK OF RESOLVING HIS PROBLEM WITH HIS KIA SORENTO; ASKING FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THAT CAN GET HIM IN HAVING HIS MONIES REFUNDED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS MAILED TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT RESPOND TO THE REQUEST. UPDATED 09/21/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTOR SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY AND PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MEDVED KIA (11201 W INTERSTATE 70 FRONTAGE RD N, WHEAT RIDGE, CO 80033, (303) 421-0100). THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE TWO RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RESPOND, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE REPAIRS SINCE JUNE OF 2016. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
ENGINE FAILURE ENGINE STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH STRAIGHT HIGHWAYPUT FAMILY IN DANGER 2016 JUNE OIL LEAKING ALL OVER GROUND AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE PUSHED CAR TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY .140000 MILE PAST WARRANTY KIA REFUSE TO FIX.
KIA OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BUTTON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME IN LAUREL MD ON 5/9/16. ON 5/10/16 I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING WILE RADDLING. ON 5/10/16 & 5/11/16 I MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE KIA HAVING ENGINE ISSUES. ON 5/13/2016 THE CAR STARTED DRAGGING AND WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 60MPH. THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF 95N GOING TOWARDS EX 43. THIS WAS VERY SCARY, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR LOST POWER SO I ENDED UP DRIFTING OUT OF CONTROL TO THE RIGHTS SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC... I'M SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE TODAY...THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY... IT SAD TO KNOW THAT MARYLAND INSPECTED AND PASSED THAT DEATH TRAP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RANDOM PROGRESSING FAILURE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
ON MAY 6TH, 2016 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (BACK ROADS WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 OR LESS), JUST A FEW MILES FROM MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN I HEARD A TICKING/CLICKING TYPE OF NOISE. EACH TIME I PRESSED THE GAS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE GOT SLUGGISH. I STOPPED AT ONE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH WITH LITTLE PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE SOUND GETTING LOUDER. AS I STOPPED AT ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER AND AGAIN GOT THROUGH THE LIGHT BUT THE POWER WAS EVEN MORE SLUGGISH AS I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE NOISE GOT EVEN LOUDER. THE VEHICLE FINALLY DIED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS CEASED BECAUSE A ROD BROKE AN DROVE ITSELF INTO THE OIL PUMP RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ENGINE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY THUS THEY HAD TO FIND A SECOND ENGINE TO REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THE WARRANTEE DID NOT TRANSFER WITH THE VEHICLE, THE REPLACEMENT AND ALL RELATED EXPENSES COST ME OVER $8,000. AS I HAVE FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS HERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST KIA MOTORS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (CITY.) NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CHECK OIL LIGHT...NOTHING. I COULD NOT STEER IT NOR RESTART IT. MY LIGHTS ALL DIMMED. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY'VE HAD 3 OF THE SAME CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT , BUT NO LEAK. THEY PUT OIL IN IT AND JUMPED IT, THEN TOOK IT FOR A TEST RUN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE OIL BECAME THICK AND DIRTY, WITH METAL IN IT AS WELL. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT AND THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A 150 MILE DRIVE IN A FEW WEEKS. CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED DOCUMENTATION OF ALL OIL CHANGES...FINE, I CAN GET THAT. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THOUGH I DON'T FEEL KIA WILL PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, PLAGUED MANY OWNERS. I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN 2011. IT HASN'T EVEN HIT THE 5 YEAR MARK YET, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A TRACTOR-TRAILER BEHIND ME? TOO SCARY. CONSIDERING ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE...WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, ROUGH IDLING BETWEEN GEARS THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, COULDN'T TURN ONTO SIDE STREET UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SO I WAS DRIVING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR STALLS AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN ON. VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AFTER STALLING. HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART VEHICLE. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS, RAN DIAGNOSTICS, CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG
LAST YEAR MY CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATER (WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME) MY CAR SINCE THEN HAS HAD OFF AND ON TIMES WHERE IT WOULD START TO STALL BUT NOT SHUT OFF AND IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THERE IS A RECALL FROM KIA COMING OUT IN MID MAY FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH HAS CAUSED SERVERAL ACCIDENTS IN OTHER CARS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE RECALL TO COME OUT BEFORE ANYTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM WHILE IT HAS BEEN IN THERE POSSESSION MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE KNOCKING THAT CAN BE BARELY HEARD IS "WITHIN REASON". I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE KIA CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT IF MY ENGINE DIED BEFORE THE RECALL THEN THEY WOULD REPLACED IT. I TOLD THEM MY MAIN CONCERN IS I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN THAT I DRIVE AROUND WITH AND DON'T WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY ENGINE DYING WHILE DRIVING AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT, WHICH I WILL BUT I AM PUTTING THIS IN IN THE MEAN TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALOHA KIA OF MAUI (89 E WAKEA AVE, KAHULUI, HI 96732) AND REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEIGHT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,250.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH DOWN 269 HIGHWAY WHEN ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE SOUND AND THEN SMOKE STARTED GOING OUT THE TAIL PIPE AND THEN UNDER THE HOOD THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND RASISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE . LUCKELY SOMEONE ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND HAD A FIRE EXSTINQUER AND PUT IT OUT. CALLED POLICE THEY WOULD NOT COME OUT CALLED INSURANCE AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011 AND ALWAYS KELPT IT SERVICED, THEY TOOK IT TO THE KIA LOT WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND SAID IT WAS A FIRE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD COST $10,000 TO FIX IT WE WERE STILL PAYING ON IT. SO THE INSURANCE CALLED IT A LOSS. NOW WE ARE OUT CAR AND NO MONEY TO BOOT. I HAD JUST TOOK MY GRANDBABY HOME IT COULD OF BEEN REALLY BAD. I GOT ON THE ENTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER 2012 KIA SORENTOS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.
MY PAINT COLOR IS PEARL WHITE. I HAVE AT LEAST 2 SPOTS OF RUST ONE ON THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. AND ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR. NEITHER ONE IS DENTED OR SCRATCHED BUT THE PAINT IS PEALED AND RUST IS SHOWING THROUGH.