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
2012 KIA SERENTO 2/25/2017& KIA HAD A "ANTI-CORROSION"RECALL AND WE HAD IT SERVICED AT MIKE SMITH KIA IN PADUCAH,KY-4/14/17,WE WILL CALL THIS DOCUMENT1.THEN WE WE RECEIVED MAJOR ENGINE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 20,2017 ABOUT 2012 KIA SERENTO'S STALLING,DOCUMENT 2.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WYATT JOHNSON KIA OF TN. OCTOBER 7,2017 & WE WERE TOLD IF IT DID NOT PASS THEIR TESTS THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE.OK,WELL THEY SAID IT PASSED,AND CHANGED THE OIL,&SUPPOSEDLY PUT AN "MIL" SENSOR AND"MIL" DASH LIGHT TO DETECT ONCOMING ENGINE FAILURE AND SEND THE CAR INTO WHAT THEY CALL A 'LIMP" MODE. WHICH IS NOT DOCUMENTED ON DOCUMENT #3 WHICH TO OUR SURPRISE IT PASSED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN MAKING AN KNOCKING SOUND AND EXPERIENCING SOME ATTEMPT'S OF THE VEHICLE STALLING.YES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE RAN SOME WHAT SMOOTHER,BUT STILL EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WOULD GET AN OCCASIONAL THROTTLE SPIKE,OR AN ATTEMPT TO STALL.GOT AN RECALL TO DO A LOGICUPGRADE,& TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO WYATT J. KIA DEC.12,2018,DIAGN. DID NOT DETECT CODE FROM KNOK SENSOR BUT CAUTIONED,ON PERFORM FUEL INJECTION/THROTTLE BODY SERVICE FOR $199.95 DOCUMENTS #4&5 THE WE HEAR ABOUT THIS FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE RECALL IN MICHIGAN ON 68,000 VEHICLES IN OUR YEAR,MAKE AND MODEL,WHICH RAISED A RED FLAG TO WHY OUR VEHICLE WAS CONTINUING TO THROTTLE SPIKE'S AND MORE APPARENT ATTEMPTS TO STALL.HOWEVER NO RECALL ON OUR'S?HAVE GOTTEN 2 MORE RECALL'S SINCE ON OUR VEHICLE,ONE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR WARRANTY EXTENSION,&TWO AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING,CALLED KIA TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINT. FOR REPLACEMENT AND ASKED ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE AND IT POSSIBLY BEING THE REASON FOR THE THROTTLE SPIKES & STALL ATTEMPTS ALL THIS TIME,BUT NO RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLE,AND WANT TO CHARGE$120+$199.FOR DIAG.AND THROTTLE BODY/FUEL INJECTION,BUT FREE REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAG SPRING ASS.?HAVE TO KEEP OIL CHANGED,BECAUSE START'S TO RUN REALLY ROUGH.THIS IS GETTING OLD!
THE REAR BREAK LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS FAIL CONSISTENTLY. THEY HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. ON OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT POWERS BACK ON AFTER THE REAR HOUSING HAS BEEN MOVED. IN INCIDENTS WHEN THE LIGHT HAS FAILED, THERE IS A BURN MARK ON THE OUTER CONTACT PORTION OF THE BULB. THIS AFFECTS ALL LEVELS OF DRIVING AS YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF NEARLY INVISIBLE AND GIVE ZERO INDICATION OF STOPPING TO VEHICLES AROUND YOU.
AT APPROXIMATELY 123K MILES, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A KIA SERVICE DIAGNOSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEED AN OCS MAT REPLACEMENT, PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THE COST IS $2,700. AFTER REVIEWING MANY CONSUMER WEBSITES, I SEE THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS STARTING THE CAR AND NEVER WENT OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A NATIONWIDE ISSUE WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING. (I HAVE A RECALL LETTER, BUT IT IS FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING.)
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES , NO BEEPING WHEN PASSENGER SITTING AND CAR MOVING,
VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 88000 MILES AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DEALER SAYS WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM 1500 TO 2600 DOLLARS TO FIND AND REPLACE ISSUE. OTHER SORRENTO OWNERS COMPLAINING ONLINE ABOUT SAME ISSUE. ON INITIAL START FOR THE DAY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OUT
I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND I FEEL A "KLUNK". AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, MY RPMS WERE RAPIDLY DROPPING, THEN I FELT THE ENGINE CUT. I POPPED IT INTO N AND HAD TO MAKE MY WAY ACROSS THE 3 LANE HIGHWAY. COASTED TO A STOP ON SHOULDER AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON POPPING THE HOOD, THERE WAS A SMALL ENGINE FIRE WHICH I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH. THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE. BEHIND THE ENGINE, ON THE SERPENTINE BELT, ON THE RADIATOR. IT WOULDNT CRANK SO I HAD IT TOWED. AUTO SHOP CALLED AND STATED "WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVELS AND IT WAS AT THE L LINE ON THE DIP STICK. TRIED TO CRANK IT TO NO AVAIL, THEN TRIED TO MANUALLY CRANK IT AS WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, WITH A PIECE OF THE ENGINE MISSING. YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE." SPECIFICS, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE.
UNDER THE RECALL, A FUEL LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THE SAME LEAK IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN WITHIN 7 MONTHS. DEALER SLOW TO CALL BACK AND ARRANGE AN INSPECTION. CANNOT DRIVE CAR AS IT IS UNSAFE.
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING STRANGE INTERMITTENT ENGINE TROUBLES & SYMPTOMS. (THE FIRST SYMPTOMS APPEARED IN SEPTEMBER 2019) IT STARTED WITH THE ACCELERATER GOING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OVER ABOUT 50 MPH ONCE OR TWICE RANDOMLY. ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. AND THEN THIS TIME IT ALSO STALLED AT A STOP SIGN. OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR ENGINE HICCUPS. IT WILL LOSE POWER AND COME BACK ON WITHIN A HALF SECOND. AND THEN CONTINUE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ANOTHER MONTH. RECENTLY THE SYMPTOMS ARE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. IT IS TERRIFYING. I CAN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I AM SO SCARED. AT THIS POINT, THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE NOW TAKEN PLACE NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED - WHEN IN MOTION UP TO 60-70 MPH, AROUND 30 MPH, AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT, ETC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST SYMPTOM. AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A KIA SERVICE LOCATION. ALL HAVE SAID THE CAR SEEMS TO BE RUNNING GREAT AND THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING UP OR ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON. THEY CANNOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR UNLESS THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR. I HAVE SEEN SOME ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT A RECALL FOR KIA'S OF MY YEAR WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT THIS RECALL IS NOT ON MY VIN? I AM HONESTLY SO UPSET BECAUSE I LOVED THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR, BUT I REALLY JUST WANTED TO GET THIS FIXED. I DO BELIEVE MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY THE OTHER RECALL, BUT WHY ISNT IT SHOWING UP? WHAT DO I DO? THIS CAR IS PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHER PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE A LOT OF TRAVEL COMING UP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I NEED A SAFE CAR AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
SOMETIME WHEN YOU START THE CAR THE RPM'S WILL NOT MOVE. THE CAR WILL GO FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN YOU GIVE IT GAS AND IT WILL NOT GO. YOU HAVE TO STOP..TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. IT HAS DONE THIS A NUMBER OF TIME LATELY.
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA MOTORS STATING THAT I NEED TO BRING IN MY 2012 SORENTO IN TO HAVE THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" CHECKED AS MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS ILLUMINATED. I BROUGHT IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NOT THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" BUT THE OCS MAT THAT IS DEFECTIVE ( CODE B1764 ) AND WOULD COST ME $2640 TO REPLACE...I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM "MIGHT NOT" FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED...WHY IS THE OCS MAT NOT A RECALL MATTER AS IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY ARE FAILING MISERABLY...VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON CONTINUALLY...
THE MOTOR SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. I WAS DRIVING WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS AT A CONSISTENT 40-45 MPH AND WHEN I TOOK ONE OF THE CURVES, THE MOTOR SEIZED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO ALSO FAIL. WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AWAY FROM THE CLIFF ADJACENT TO THE ROAD. MY MECHANICS REPLACED MY MOTOR BUT SAID THE ORIGINAL MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY SEIZED TO THE POINT THAT HE COULDN'T WORK ON IT.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UPHILL THEN HIT THE BRAKES AND ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH AND CAR DIED. HAD CAR TOWED AND 2 MECHANIC'S TOLD ME THAT MOTOR HAD LOCKED.
THE ENGINE ON MY 2012 KIA SORENTO RAN OUT OF OIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT OR OTHER INDICATION OF PROBLEM. WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ACCELERATED TO GET AROUND AN 18 WHEELER AND THE ACCELERATION CUT OUT, CAUSING CARS BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLOW TO AVOID RUNNING INTO MY REAR. THE SORENTO QUICKLY BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND PROGRESSIVELY SLOWED DOWN. I CHANGED LANES TO THE RIGHT WHEN SAFE TO DO SO AND STOPPED THE CAR. I LOOKED FOR PROBLEMS UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON AND I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE MOTOR IS BLOWN AND MUST BE REPLACED.
I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HWY. WHEN WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY DASH LIGHT WARNINGS MY ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT FELL APART AND I LOST POWER PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CALLED KIA THEY HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 2 DAYS LATER DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE ENGINE SPUN A BEARING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON ON THIS BUT THEY SAID ITS NOT ON MY VIN. # AND IT WILL COST $9,500.00 TO GET AND INSTALL A USED 78,000 MILE ENGINE IN IT, WHY WOULD I PUT A SIMILAR USED ENGINE IN IT TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. MY ENGINE IS 1000 MILES OVER ITS WARRANTY. VERY FRUSTRATING.....I LOOKED ON THIS SITE AND I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M GLAD I WAS JUST ENTERING THE HWY WHEN IT HAPPENED NOT DOING THE 70MPH SPEED CAUSE IT MAY OF HAD A MUCH WORSE OUTCOME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS THANKS FOR READING MY REPORT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
MY SUV HAS NOT ENCOUNTERED ANY INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. YESTERDAY WHILE LEAVING WORK THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT STILL HAS NOT TURNED OFF. LOOKING AT RECENT COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT KIA HAS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NATIONWIDE.
PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED / SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. *DT CUTS TO HAND ON STEERING WHEEL FROM FALLING GLASS. *JB
LAST JULY MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED MY BRAKES AND THEN WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. WELL, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. CALLED KIA AND HAD IT TOWED THERE(UNREIMBURSED) REPLACED ENGINE TOLD THEM THAT SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. KIA SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW, A YEAR LATER STILL TRANS PROBLEM. TOOK TO MASTER MECHANIC THAT HAS A TRANS SHOP AND THAT HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS. HE SAID IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM KIA FOR A HARD TRANSMISSIKN SHIFT. CALLED KIA THEY SAID THEY HAD TO "RESEARCH PROBLEM", BUT HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. ALSO, MY CAR SHUTS OFF IF I HAVE TO DO A HARD BRAKE EVEN AFTER MY ENGINE BEING REPLACED. ALSO, MY GAS LID WONT OPEN, MY MIRRORS HAD STOPPED MOVING AND MY WINDOWS ALL STOPPED WORKING. HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH FUSE BOX. APPARENTLY SOMETHING IS NOT GROUNDED CORRECTLY KIA AND IS SHORTING OUT ALL MY FUSES. BUT I HAVE TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY TO HAVE A CAR THAT IS BARELY THAT OLD HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. IF I COULD SUE THEM FOR DAMAGES UNDER LEMON LAW I WOULD. VERY UPSET AND SCARED TO DRIVE CAR AND I HAVE A TEN YEAR THAT IS ALWAYS IN THE CAR WITH ME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HART KIA (1361 E MAIN ST, SALEM, VA 24153, 540-444-4444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED. *TR
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY GOES DEAD, NO WARNING NO ENGINE LIGHT. NO POWER, NO BRAKES NO POWER STEERING. DID GLIDE TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH A NEAR MISS, CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA DEALER.
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN TOWN, I LOSE ALL POWER WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN A JERK THAT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THEN IT GOES DEAD. I CRANK IT BACK UP AND IT RUNS FOR A WHILE THEN REPEATS. I TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT TODAY, BUT THEY ARE SAYING IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL, AFTER KIA CORP. TOLD MY FATHER LAST WEEK THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. IT IS THERE NOW TO BE CHECKED 1ST THING IN THE MORNING.
AIR BAG LIGHT ON. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING TO SET IT OFF. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND THIS IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE. SO UNSAFE!!!
FOLLOWING AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT THE KIA TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ON MY KIA 2012 SORENTO IS LEAKING AND LOOSING GREASE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM TENDED TO OCCUR AFTER A NUMBER OF MILES HAD BEEN INCURRED ON KIA SORENTOS.
MY KIA SORENTO IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. I HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP 6/2019 FOR A RECALL TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL EVALUATION WAS COMPLETED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN 07/2019 DUE TO LOSS OF OIL ABOUT 800 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AT MINEKE. THEY TOPPED IT OFF AND HAD ME COME BACK IN AFTER 1000 MILES AND TOLD ME I HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE AND TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO FOLLOW UP. I WENT TO AN OFFICIAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DOCUMENTED BY THEM AND THEY DID THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AGAIN. THEY SAID AT THE TIME THE SPARK PLUGS AND ENGINE LOOKED OK AND THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT MINE WOULD NOT QUALIFY TO BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME AND I COULD KEEP TOPPING OF THE OIL IF NEEDED. I BROUGHT IT BACK AFTER PUTTING ON 950 MILES BECAUSE THE OIL WAS VERY LOW. IT HAD BURNED THROUGH 2.5 QUARTS. THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS BAD AND 2 OUT OF 3 SPARK PLUGS ARE STARTING TO GO. THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA KIA HAS TO BE COVERED UNDER KIA'S EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 136,331 MILES ON IT NOW AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT SO I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY $6,200 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA DIRECTLY AND THEY CREATED A CASE NUMBER. THEY RECOMMENDED GETTING SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER KIA DEALERSHIP. NOW I HAVE TO START THIS PROCESS OVER AGAIN. MEANWHILE, MY ENGINE IS GETTING WORSE AND IT IS CONCERNING ME THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA WITH REPORTS OF ENGINES CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEATH AND 130 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED. I DRIVE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE 9 AND 5 AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THEM AT RISK WHILE I WAIT FOR A DECISION ON THIS. AT THE VERY LEAST I WANTED THIS REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISES, SMOKING, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SEIZED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE. MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PART ON MANUFACTURING DEFECT RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS CHECKED BY A KIA SERVICE SHOP FOR THIS OVER A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME I ASKED IF THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD OCCUR AT A LATER DATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FINE NOW. THEY SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD STILL OCCUR AT A LATER DATE BUT WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COULD FAIL/LOCK-UP, CATCH ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOCKET KEEP BURNING OUT, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MANY TECHNICIAN AND THEY CHANGE THE SOCKET AND AFTER A MONTH OR 2 IT BURNS THE SOCKET AGAIN, THE TECH SAID IT SEEMS LIKE A FACTORY PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD-UP IN THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE TO KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA (6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003, (805) 256-7021) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD NO WAY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTACT REFUSED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REQUESTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
2ND COMPLAIN FOR KIA ENGINE. DEC. 2017 MY ENGINE SEIZED. I SPENT ON 5GRAND FOR A REBUILT ENGINE. ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT GIVE ME ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY OIL OR ENGINE. DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET WHERE MY CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED YOU CAN HEAR LOUD CLICKING FROM THE ENGINE. FAST FORWARD TO A YEAR AND 4 MONTHS LATER. REBUILT ENGINE ON FEB 2018.. CAR DIED AGAIN ON 7/16/19. ONCE AGAIN NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. NO OIL LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP ON ACCELERATING. I DECIDED AFTER WORK I PUT SOME OIL INTO MY ENGINE. SCHEDULE AN APPT WITH MY MECHANIC TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD MY MECHANIC TOW MY CAR AND LATER TELLS ME THAT IT WAS MY ENGINE AGAIN. STATED HE COULD FIND AN ENGINE FOR OVER 3GRAND FOR ME. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY. I AM NOW OUT OF A CAR AGAIN WITH A NEWBORN AND TRYING TO FIND RIDES TO AND FROM WORK. I JUST RECENTLY MOVED AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS. MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALLS AND IT SHOULD BE. KIA HAS FAULTY ENGINES AND IT IS NOT JUST THE ONE ENGINE. LAST ENGINE FAILURE WAS AT 65000 MILES. THIS TIME IT IS AT 69000 MILES. WHY ARE MY OIL LIGHTS NOT COMING ON WHEN THERE IS LOW OIL? WHY WAS THIS PROBLEM NOT FIXED TO BEGIN WITH??? OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR IS MY HANDLE IN THE BACK SEAT PULLED OFF (I AM NOT THAT STRONG) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (OIL LIGHT NOT COMING ON, CRUISE CONTROL KNOCKS OUT WHILE DRIVING, VOLUME CONTROL FOR RADIO RANDOMLY CALLS CONTACTS) KIA IS A LEMON BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR A 2ND AND PROBABLY 3RD ENGINE. I DON'T EVEN TRUST MY CAR WITH MY KIA DEALERSHIP ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY ARE CROOKS AND LIARS. I STILL HAVE 10GRAND LEFT TO PAY FOR THIS CAR!
THE BALL BEARINGS WENT OUT ON THE FRONT END CAUSING BOTH MY FRONT TIRES TO WEAR RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRES ON THE TIRE TREADS. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF FIXING THEM THE ENGINE SEIZED IN MY CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME. WHILE MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY SHE SUDDEN LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD HER BROTHER TAKE OVER DRIVING IT. HE COULD NOT GET IT TO SPEED OR TO SHIFT SO HE PUT IT IN MANUAL TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY HE CALLED ME. I FOLLOWED HIM LESS THEN 4 MILES TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LISTEN TO THE ENGINE AND SAID TO PARK THE CAR AS THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO GO. IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING IT HOME LESS THEN 2 MILES THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED UP.
MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL THROUGH MY TRIP. IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY SO MANY OTHER USERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS LIKELY FAULTY AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.
*White Pearl paint is pealing / chipping away on the front hood and around the top of the windshield roof. *I have been told that the area of missing paint around my windshield can rust/corrode through and affect the windshield seal. *My Kia dealer has seen it and said it was a widespread problem with the white pearl paint on the Sorento model.....but no further action was done. *It has not been inspected by the police, insurance....just the Kia Dealer. *No warning lamps or messages.....
2012 KIA SORENTO, WHEN DRIVING AT 30MPH AVERAGE, STRAIGHT OR TURNING, SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP SIGN, OR DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS, AT THE MOMENT OF PRESSING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65-70 MPH AND THE REAR FIXED PANORAMIC SUNROOF JUST SHUTTERED IN HER VEHICLE. I READ ABOUT OTHERS HAD SAME ISSUE. I HAD MY 5 YEAR OLD SITTING ON THE BACK SEAT. SHE GOT SCARED BUT LUCKILY DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE DASH CAM VIDEO AND WE HAVE RECORDED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY ROAD DEBRIS HITTING THE CAR.
AS I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK, MY CAR BLEW UP IN FLAMES.
DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUALLY BURNS OUT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEAD LAMP IS BURNT OUT AND THE ENTIRE HEAD LAMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (KIA COUNTRY IF SAVANNAH) WHERE THEY HAD 14 OTHER 2012 KIA SORENTO WAITING FOR NEW ENGINES. MAJOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SLUG IN THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. CLAIMED THE ENGINE WASN'T GETTING OIL BUT OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED THE DAY BEFORE WITH NO REPORTED ISSUES.
STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN DRIVING ALSO THE BOOT IS CRACKED AND AFFECTING THE BALL JOINTS ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE
MY BURGUNDY 2012 KIA EX I PURCHASED IN 2017 HAS BEEN GIVING ME NO PROBLEMS I LOVE THE SUV UNTIL 6/18/2019 WHEN I STARTED UP THE SUV AN THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN THE NOISE QUIETED DOWN I PROCEEDED ON ROUTE 51 AN GASSING THE VEHICLE THE NOISE COMES BACK AN IT SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO BREAK DOWN AN I DONT WANT TO HAVE A ACCIDENT I SAW THERE ARE SOME RECALLS ON THIS SUV THAT A CLEARLY WASNT AWARE OF AN I JUST WANT TO GET THIS RESOLVED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR TAIL PIPE. THERE WAS ALSO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN NEEDING TO DRIVE MORE THAN 40 MPH. CENTURY 3 KIA (2483 LEBANON CHURCH RD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15122, (412) 466-1466) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE19004 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG NOT ALLOWING IT TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT (AT ALL TIMES), WILL COST $2,000 TO REPAIR
ENGINE SEIZED, CAME TO A RED LIGHT CAR DIED HAD IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE MOTOR IS LOCKED UP DUE TO BEARING WEAR!!!
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CAR TURNED OFF WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE SMALL HILL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON A TWO-LANE CITY ROAD. I HAD TWO PASSENGERS IN MY CAR AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENGINE FAILURE (SEIZING). THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PICKED FROM SERVICE THE DAY BEFORE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OR WARNING THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE ANY SAFETY ISSUES.
engine just stopped. will not turn over. call kia. not on list. repair yourself. they are not reparing any cars. said they were but denying everyone. check the records. all talk and no action. pleasing the judge.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DESTINATION KIA (760 CENTRAL AVE, ALBANY, NY 12206, (518) 478-8036) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING SOUND. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE, THE NOISE STOPPED AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO EXPERIENCED A MAJOR BEARING FAILURE THAT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE CAST BLOCK ALLOWING THE OIL TO DUMP OUT OVER THE CARS EXHAUST. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICE ROUTINELY UTILIZING FULL SYNTHETIC AT 6000 MILE INTERVALS. THE OIL LEVEL AND COOLING SYSTEMS WERE ALL FULL AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CAR HAD 103000 MILES AND HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED. CONTACTED KIA AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND RECEIVED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS SIGNIFICANT FAILURE. THE PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE ISSUE IDENTIFIED ON OTHER MODELS AND INVOLVED IN THE SIGNIFICANT RECALL DEFINITELY APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED ON OUR CAR AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DARCARS KIA OF FREDERICK (5826 URBANA PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704, (301) 696-1200) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,200.
MY 2012 SORENTO HAS BEEN BURNING/LOSING OIL SINCE IT WAS TESTED FOR THE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR RECALL AT 100K MILES. IT BURNS APPROX. 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 114K MILES. I HAVE TO ADD 5 QTS OF OIL BETWEEN EVERY 5K MILE OIL CHANGE. DROPPING A MICROPHONE INTO MY OIL PAN DID SOMETHING TO MY ENGINE. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED FOR AN ENGINE WITH THIS MANY MILES.
I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED IN JAN 2018 FOR ENGINE FAILURE ROD KNOCKING METAL SHAVINGS ON THE DIP STICK, IT JUST SHUT OFF GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND NOW ITS THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN, GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE STARTED KNOCKING AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK AGAIN WITH METAL SHAVINGS