2012 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 880 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 21 involved a crash and 77 involved a fire. 36 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Campaign 15V626000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
127 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2020
ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING - BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE EITHER. REPLACE THE FUSE AND IT BLOWS IMMEDIATELY. HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND THEY INFORMED ME A DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM- IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 23, 2020
DRIVING ON THE THRU-WAY GOING 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD SUDDENLY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES AND COMPLETELY JUST 'SHUT OFF' ON ME WITH NO FORE-WARNING. CALLED AAA, TECH. COULD VISIBLY SEE A BELT WHICH HAD RIPPED OUT OF ENGINE AND WAS DANGLING UNDER VEHICLE. I THEN HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED- A NEW BELT WAS INSTALLED , A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BRAKES, OIL CHANGE. 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS EVENT, I WAS AGAIN DRIVING ON THE THRU- WAY IN ALMOST THE SAME EXACT LOCATION AND THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. . MY VEHICLE JUST WENT DEAD, THIS TIME SLOWING DOWN AND DYING. CALLED AAA , THEY SERVICED ME OFF THE THRU-WAY (THRU-WAY DIVISION) AND UPON HAVING VEHICLE LOOKED AT MY CHOICE SHOP.. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED (WAS NOW TOTALLY DEAD) AND WAS NON- REPAIRABLE WITHOUT A NEW ENGINE. ALSO TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OIL EVEN THOUGH I HAD ONLY 3 WEEKS PRIOR GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE AND CAR REPAIRMAN COULD NOT REPORT ANY PHYSICAL ISSUES WITH OIL CONNECTIONS, IE. GASKET LEAK, DRAIN PLUG, SEAL ISSUES. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MONIES I HAVE SPENT FROM DAY 1 ON THIS VEHICLE, MY EXPERIENCES AND THE LEMON THE VEHICLE HAS PROVEN TO BE, I FIND THIS INCREDIBLY UNSETTLING AND KNOW THAT THERE WERE ISSUES GOING ON WITH THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO IT GOING ONTO THE ROAD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND WERE NOT DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. ASIDE FROM THESE ISSUES, IN PAST THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE LOCKS AND WINDOWS LOCKING ON THERE OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND FUSES RELATED TO THIS AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE SHOCKING ME WHEN OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WHICH IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE! I REQUEST THAT SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THE RECALL WITHHOLDING WHICH HAS COME TO LIGHT WITH KIA AND MY VEHICLE QUALIFYING FOR THESE RECALLS AS KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME FINANCIALLY AS WELL AS WEST HERR. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2020, fire
THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 45 MINUTES AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN. I HAD NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I WALKED OUTSIDE TO THE DRIVEWAY AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS UNOCCUPIED AND WAS NOT RUNNING. THE SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. I UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A PAN OF WATER. I LET IT COOL OFF AND CRANKED IT AND MOVED IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH APPARENTLY HAD MELTED AND THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2020
I CONTINUE TO HAVE STARTING ISSUES. SOMETIMES IT STARTS MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T. ALSO I HAVE REPLACED MY HEAD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS SEVERAL TIMES. IT'S AS IF THERE IS A SHORTAGE INSIDE THE CAR SOMEWHERE. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE 2012 KIA SOENTO. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM HANDLED BUT I AM CONVINCED THIS IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT HAS TO DO WITH MANUFACTURING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2019
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DECEMBER 2011 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT WIRING 4 TIMES AND HAVE TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULB AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AFTER THE THIRD LIGHT BULB CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS BEGINS TO MELT AND THEN LOSES CONNECTION WITH THE BULB THEREFOR MY HEADLIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 22, 2019
I DRIVE KIA SORRENTO 2012, ITS AT 117,000 MILES. FOR THE LAST 6000 MILES MY CAR HAS STARTED BURNING THROUGH ABNORMALLY HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY WARNING SIGNS AND THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. FOR MY LAST 3 SERVICES WHICH WERE IN JUNE, AUGUST AND NOVEMBER, ALL WELL BEFORE I WAS DUE FOR OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NEXT TO NONE OIL LEFT IN MY CAR. ON NOV 16TH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY MY CAR WITHOUT GIVING ME ANY WARNING OR INDICATION THAT OIL WAS RUNNING LOW, DECELERATED FROM 60MPH TO 30MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE SIGN STARTED FLASHING. I PULLED ASIDE AND GOT IT TOWED TO A NEARBY CAR AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NEXT TO NONE OIL IN MY CAR AND BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN RUNNING WITHOUT ANY OIL MY ENGINE WAS ALL DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD THAT MY KIA NEEDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC DIDN'T FIND ANY LEAKS OR OTHER REASONS WHY OIL MIGHT BE GETTING CONSUMED SO QUICKLY. I SEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT WHY I MIGHT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS WITH ABNORMALLY HIGH AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMPTION. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH KIA CORPORATE TO SEE IF THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING BUT I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2019
ON A BUSY HIGHWAY RT.70 VEHICLE DECALS GOT TO FLASHING ON THE DASH BROAD ALL OF THEM. THAN LOST ALL POWER.COULDN'T USE FLASHERS OR ANYTHING. AND GOT OVER TO THE SHOULDER .WAIT A FEW MINUTES NOTHING HAD TO GET IT TOW BACK TO MY SONS. TRY A JUMP AFTER 3 MINUTES THE VEHICLE SHUT BACK DOWN .BATTERY SHOW GOOD .
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 8, 2019
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
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 5, 2019
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 18, 2019
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!
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 3, 2019
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 1, 2019, fire
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 10, 2019
WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER 70MPH MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, MY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED FROM 70 TO 40 CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO PULL INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC (TWO LANE ROAD GOING DOWN MOUNTAIN) TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO MY VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THIS OIL, CHECK ENGINE, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHTS ALL BEGAN TO FLASH. PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE STARTED AFTER SOME STRUGGLE. DROVE WITH HAZARDS ALL THE WAY HOME. BEFORE THIS MY VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. MY RPMS WOULD DROP AND HITTING THE GAS DID NOTHING. EVERY TIME VEHICLE STARTS MAKING KNOCKING SOUND BEFORE RATTLING AND STALLING OUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MOTION EVERY SINGLE TIME IT LOSES POWER, OR THE ENGINE STALLS OUT. IMMEDIATELY PURCHASED CAR FAX TO SEE ALL OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ONES. ENTIRE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE. KIA REFUSES TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AND ONLY KEPT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR 56 MINUTES BEFORE TELLING ME IT WAS READY FOR PICK UP. WHEN ENGINE IS ACTING UP, REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE GAS DOES NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE.
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF IT BURNING OUT PREMATURELY. I BOUGHT ANOTHER BULB TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THE OLD BULB WAS STILL GOOD. THE NEW BULB WAS PUT IN TO VERIFY THAT WASN'T THE ISSUE. THE AUTO PARTS STORE CHECKED THE FUSES AND ALL ARE OK.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2019, fire
KIA RECALL. ON MAY 22, 2014, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AT THIS TIME, BUT NOW IT IS COMING TO SURFACE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Nov 28, 2018, fire
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 8, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 28, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2018
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 27, 2018
I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS DEPLOYED FROM 2013-2015 AND DIDN'T HAVE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 22, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 2, 2018
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
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 29, 2018, fire
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.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2018, fire
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.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2018, fire
2012 KIA SORENTO WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP ON REGULAR BASIS. OCTOBER 7, 2017 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT TO THE GROUND. CALLED KIA AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING! STATED THEY DID NOT DEAL WITH CONSUMERS AND TO DEAL WITH MY INSURANCE. INSURANCE ONLY PAID BOOK VALUE AND WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE WITH THAT AMOUNT! I DID EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK AND KEPT MY KIA IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND THEY DID NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! I HAD A APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE ON MONDAY AND IT BURNT ON SATURDAY! I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD ISSUED A RECALL AND I AM SURE THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AT SERVICE ( I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE). MY NIECE WAS DRIVING FROM KENTUCKY TO MY HOME IN VIRGINIA (HER VEHICLE WAS BROKE DOWN AND THE DRIVE WAS A HOUR AWAY). THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AT WHICH TIME SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THEN THE VEHICLE DIED AND STARTED SMOKING. IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND SHE CALLED ME AND I STARTED ON MY WAY TO MEET HER. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO RAISE THE HOOD BUT TWO GUYS HAD STOPPED TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP AND ONE SEEN THE RED OF THE FIRE IN THE CRACK OF THE HOOD AND ADVISED HER TO GET AWAY. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES ENGULFED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND BURNT COMPLETELY BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD ME WHEN I ARRIVED THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. WE WERE BLESSED THAT MY NIECES 6 MONTH OLD WAS WITH ME AND NOT IN THE VEHICLE WITH HER BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET HER OUT! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AND I WAS A HUGE FAN BUT NOT ANYMORE AFTER DEALING WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE! I DO NOT FEEL IT IS FAIR THEY ARE NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT! THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME AT ALL!