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, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 24, 2015
CAMERA MALFUNCTIONING. ORIGINALLY TOOK VEHICLE IN WITH CAMERA PROBLEMS IN 09/2013. SERVICE CHECK COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HAVE HAD SAME ISSUES WITH CAMERA WORKING AND NOT WORKING OFF AND ON. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN FOR SAME ISSUE WITH CAMERA. TOLD AT FIRST BY SERVICE TECH. OUR WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ON ITEM. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 60,550. INFORMED THEM WE PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD TO GO HOME AND BRING IN PROOF OF WARRANTY TO SERVICE DEPT. WHICH I DID THEN WAS TOLD I HAD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. FOR REPLACEMENT PART. MATT CASTRUSSI IN DAYTON, OHIO (DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO WHERE I LIVE) WOULD NOT REPLACE PART. HAD TO TAKE IT TO KIA OF DAYTON, OHIO FOR REPLACEMENT PART.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2015
UPON ARRIVAL AT MY DESTINATION THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO PRESS THE IGNITION OFF BUTTON SEVERAL TIME BEFORE THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. THERE WERE TIMES WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2015
HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB IN MY HEADLIGHT. USED TO BE EVERY 4-5 MONTHS. NOW, IT'S 3 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. AFTER TAKING IT TO SHOP, WIRING IS SHORTING OUT, MELTING PLASTIC AROUND BULB AND CONNECTION TO CAR. CAN NOT JUST REPLACE LITTLE SOCKET, LIKE IN MOST CARS, KIA WANTS YOU TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS, TO THE TUNE OF OVER $500 FOR THE PART ALONE, NOT COUNTING LABOR. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE LAST 9-10 YEARS.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 29, 2015
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I PUT IT IN PARK, AND RESTARTED IT WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT I SHOULD BRING IT IN AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS NEXT TIME. THE SECOND TIME, MARCH 28, 2015, I WAS TRYING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. AGAIN, I REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD STALLED, SO I PUT IT INTO PARK, AND RESTARTED IT. WHILE THERE WAS NO HARM DONE, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME OCCURRENCE IN OTHER REVIEWS AND WONDER WHY THIS IS NOT MORE OF A CONCERN FOR THE MANUFACTURERS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2015, fire
ON MONDAY, MARCH 23 AT 8 PM, I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. I LOVED UP AND WENT INSIDE. AT 4:30 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING, MY SON CAME INTO OUR BEDROOM SAYING BE THOUGHT SUNSHINE WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF. I WENT TO THE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT, AND IMMEDIATELY SEE THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT. WE CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE WHOLE BACK HALF OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ROARING. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR ROLLED OUT ARSON. IT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED AND IT WAS TERRIFYINGLY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS ALREADY IN OUR YARD WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY SON HAD NOT WOOLEN UP WHEN HE HAD. THE FIRE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK, WE ARE LUCKY THERE WANT A FULL ON EXPLOSION. THE WEATHER WAS MILD AND DRY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. I SIMPLY CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. MY BEST GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING SET OF THE CAR ALARM WHICH ON TURN SHORTED AND SPARKED THE FIRE IN THE FLASHING REAR LIGHTS. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND IN PERFECT CONDITION THAT I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2014. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES EVERY WARNING SYMBOL LIGHT BEGAN TO LIGHT UP. MY RADIO EVENTUALLY SHUT DOWN AND THE FRONT DASH LIGHTING WENT OUT. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MILES, BUT THE ENGINE POWER WAS DWINDLING. I EVENTUALLY LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. MY CAR HAS A PUSH BUTTON START AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT IT OFF. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK- ONLY DRIVE OR NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT GET MY FLASHERS TO COME ON. AFTER 5-7 MINUTES, THE CAR FINALLY DIED AND I COULD SHIFT IT INTO PARK AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY THAT MY BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE COULD BE CHECKED. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING FINE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AS IT CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2015
AT DEALERSHIP TO POSSIBLY PURCHASE USED 2012 KIA SORENTO. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALER HAD TO JUMP START. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK AND DROVE TO NEARBY PARKING LOT TO LOOK OVER THE CAR. LEFT THE CAR RUNNING IN PARK AND AFTER 5 MINUTES VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO LIGHT UP, ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THE STOP BUTTON WOULD NOT SHUTDOWN THE CAR. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE LABORED AND THEN STOPPED. CALLED DEALER AND WE JUMP STARTED THE ENGINE. ON THE WAY BACK TO DEALERSHIP (LESS THAN A MILE) THE ENGINE LABORED, THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND, POWER STEERING GOT VERY HEAVY, AND THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE REQUIRING JUMP STARTS. IT DIED AGAIN ENTERING THE DEALERSHIP. BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP BUT TROUBLESHOOTING DETERMINED THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT CHARGING. SENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 5, 2014
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 55 MPH AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND MY HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF. MY CAR RESTARTED RIGHT AFTER THAT AND NOW IT HAS DONE IT THREE TIMES SINCE THEN. I AM NERVOUS WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE, I FEAR I WILL BE STALLED SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL BE WINTER. I DRIVE 47 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. I AM SERIOUSLY THINKING OF TRADING THE CAR OFF. I KNOW I WON'T GET ANYTHING FOR IT BUT, AT LEAST I WILL BE SAFE. WE WERE TOLD BY KIA THAT IF THE CAR SHUTS OFF IT IS RESETTING THE COMPUTER AND THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE IF A DUMMY LIGHT DOESN'T STAY ON. I SEE THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY KIA AND I THINK KIA SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ASAP. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Oct 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION, A/C AND HEADLIGHTS WERE LOST. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS HAD BLOWN THE FUSE FOR CONTROL MODULE #2 RESULTING IN THE AFOREMENTIONED INSTRUMENTATION AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 21, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE AND WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO LIGHTS, NO ENGINE, NO POWER STEERING, STIFF BRAKES. I WAS UNABLE TO EVEN TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. SOMEONE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO HELP PUSH MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND NOTHING AND WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A REAL DANGER ON THE ROAD AND NOW MY TRUST IN THE CAR IS SHAKEN! SCARY TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 17, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON A FLAT RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN FAIR WEATHER AND CAME TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. AFTER GOING FORWARD ABOUT 20FT AFTER THE STOP SIGN MY CAR JUST DIED. IT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL, THE ENGINE, EVERYTHING AND I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, 1 TIME ON A HILL, 1 TIME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME, AND AGAIN ON MY WAY HOME IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM AND NO ERROR CODES CAME UP. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 4, 2014
I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I NOTICED THAT ENGINE STOPPED WITH ALL THE INDICATORS ON INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT MY CAR WAS NOT RUNNING ANYMORE AND WILL NOT DRIVE EVEN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I PUT IT ON PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED. IT STARTED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. *TR
Electrical system, May 15, 2014
INCIDENT #1: I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EAST BOUND ON A ST IN THE DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AREA, APPROACHING FRONT STREET (EXACT STREET INTERSECTION UNKNOWN). I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THE CAR, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF IMMINENT FAILURE (NOT EVEN AN ODD NOISE OR ELECTRICAL GLITCH BEFOREHAND) JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND STOPPED ABRUPTLY. I HAD NO WAY TO EVEN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED ON MY WARNING LIGHTS, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN TRIED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. IT RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATION AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. INCIDENT #2: ON 05/13/2014, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS OR 550 MILES OF USE (MY PERSONAL ESTIMATE), THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON CEDAR STREET IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH (DECREASING SPEED TO STOP AT A LIGHT) WHEN AT THE CORNER OF 5TH STREET AND CEDAR ST., THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF IMMINENT FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO VEER THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE A BIT BECAUSE OF THE MOMENTUM AND ANGLE OF THE STREET BUT COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL MUCH. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED ON MY WARNING SIGNALS, AND TURNED OF THE IGNITION. I THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL THEN BACK TO PARK, AND THEN TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AGAIN AND IT DID WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. THEIR ONLY RECOMMENDATION WAS TO TAKE THE CAR IN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS EITHER STALLED WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES AND ACCELERATION OR WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES AND ACCELERATION. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 15, 2014
AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 15 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AT THE TIME OF TURNING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL THE CAR SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. LOSS OF CONTROL THEN OCCURRED OF THE STEERING WHEEL (TO STIFF TO TURN) ALONG WITH A DIFFICULT BREAKING PROCESS CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROADWAY. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP BY PLACING AN EXTREME AND INCREASED FORCE ONTO THE BREAK PEDAL BEFORE A BRICK PILLAR WAS STRUCK HEAD ON. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2014
AT 5:40PM MST ON 03/20/2014, I WAS APPROACHING A 4-WAY INTERSECTION IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH INTENDING TO STOP AND THEN MAKE A RIGHT TURN. TRAFFIC GOING MY DIRECTION HAD STOP SIGNS AND CROSS TRAFFIC DID NOT. THERE WAS ONE OTHER CAR APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION FROM MY LEFT. WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF (ENGINE, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC).IT HAPPENED SILENTLY AND WITHOUT DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE NOISE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY STOP OR TURN AT THE INTERSECTION AS MY CAR HAD LOST POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A REST, IT WAS AT A DIAGONAL, PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION AND FACING THE WRONG WAY TOWARD ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO MY RIGHT (THERE WAS NONE AT THE TIME). THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND THE IGNITION WAS STILL IN THE FULLY-FORWARD ENGAGED POSITION, BUT THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE MOTOR WAS DEAD. THE OTHER CAR THAT HAD BEEN APPROACHING TO MY LEFT WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID MY CAR, AND HE DROVE AROUND ME AND CONTINUED ON. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE FIRST 15 SECONDS OR SO, I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE TO PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON DESPITE MY TURNING THE THE IGNITION OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS ABOUT TO GET OUT AND CALL A TOW TRUCK WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON. AT THAT POINT, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART TO CAR AND DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF A PROBLEM IN THE TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE OR AFTER THIS INCIDENT. WE DROPPED OFF THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING 3/21/2014. AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, NOR HAVE THEY FOUND ANY CODES ON THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THIS IS POTENTIALLY AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR LOCKS OUT AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE REASON FOR THE SHUTDOWN. THIS IS MY FAMILY CAR WHERE 3 SMALL CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED IN AND I AM SCARED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY OR THE PUBLIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IN ONE OCCASION A VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE TO PREVENT FROM COLLIDING INTO ME. THE DEALER HAS SIMPLY SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY HAVE NO CODES ON. KIA MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TO SEE IF THAT WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT ARE UNSURE WHAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 7, 2014
ON 12-25-2013, NOTICED THAT THE SIDE MARKET LIGHTS REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY PUSH BUTTON START. CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL PUSH BUTTON ATTEMPTS. NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY STOP BUTTON. ENGINE FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB AND DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. "UNABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE BY PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY PUSH BUTTON STOP" PROBLEM CONTINUED, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US W/O A FIX. TOMORROW I WILL BE CONTACTING KIA MAIN OFFICES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 25, 2013
KIA SORENTO STALLED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT LOW SPEEDS OF 10-15 MILES PER HR. THERE WAS NO SOUND OR DAMAGE. DEALER NOT ABLE TO RECREATE SITUATION SO NO REPAIRS. THIS HAS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES IN LAST TWO YEARS. SYMPTOMS ARE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND CAR ENGINE STALLS. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN PARKING AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON WOULD RE-START THE ENGINE. PLEASE FOLLOW UP AS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS CAR CAN STALLS IN MOVING TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 27, 2013
I AM BEYOND DISAPPOINTED IN MY 2012 KIA SORENTO. IT ALL STARTED WHEN MY SORENTO BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHEN TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THEN IT JUST LED TO MORE COMPLEX PROBLEMS. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NORMAL INTERSTATE SPEED OF 70 OR GOING 50 AND IT WILL GO CRAZY MAKING UNUSUAL SOUNDS AND ALL THE LIGHTS START GOING CRAZY. THEN THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING SINCE I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD IN MY BACK SEAT AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA. I PURCHASED THE SORENTO BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE CONSIDERED A FAMILY VEHICLE. THAT'S ISN'T IT. I CAN BE TRAVELING IN TOWN OR WHERE EVER AND WHEN AT A YIELD ENTRANCE WAY I CAN PULL INTO THE MAIN ROAD AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW. THE SORENTO STALLS OUT. IT DOESN'T WANT TO INCREASE SPEED. THIS SAME THING ALSO HAPPENS WHILE I AM SPEEDING UP AS WELL. IT GETS UP TO 5RPM BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. I CAN'T LET OFF OR I WILL GET REAR ENDED. MY SORENTO ALSO HAS A HORRIBLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE PUT NEW TIRES, HAD NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS AND ALL. NOTHING HELPS IT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT WHATSOEVER, BUT IF THESE PROBLEMS KEEP UP THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I HAVE ALSO TOOK IT TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS TO GET THE OTHER ISSUES CHECKED OUT BUT I GET THE SAME RESPONSE. "THEY NEVER CAN FIGURE ANYTHING OUT" I HAVE GOT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE TO DRIVE IT AS WELL JUST TO BE SURE IT WASN'T THE WAY I DROVE. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND ESPECIALLY ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN IT. I'M SURE ALL OF US WITH THE SIMILAR ISSUES ARE NOT IMAGING THINGS. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND TO THE POINT I WANT TO CONSIDER A LAWSUIT BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT A FATAL WRECK RESULTED FROM THESE MALFUNCTIONS TO FINALLY MAKE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ISSUES. NOT MY FAMILY, YOUR FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S. PLEASE HELP US! OUR LIVES AND OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE AT RISK! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 20, 2013
I LEASED MY KIA SORENTO 2012 LX V6 AWD NEW, AFTER ABOUT 5 OR 6 MONTHS I NOTICED WHEN BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS COMPLETELY, ONCE I SHIFT BACK IN N I CAN RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS COMPLETELY RANDOMLY, THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING PRECEDING THIS INCIDENT, IT HAPPENS ON ITS OWN, ONCE ACTUALLY IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES, THEY EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO CALLING A KIA FIELD TECH TO COME INSPECT THE CAR, LASTLY THEY INSTALLED AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHICH WAS APPARENTLY RECORDING ANYTHING HAPPENING TO YOUR ENGINE, AND SURE ENOUGH ABOUT A WEEK AFTER INSTALLATION I HAD THE SAME ISSUE, I PRESSED THE BUTTON BUT UPON RETURNING TO KIA DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THE DEVICE HAD NOT RECORDED ANYTHING, APPARENTLY NO CODES ARE GENERATED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS THIS WAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS CAN BE RESOLVED SINCE NO ONE KNOWS HOW EXACTLY THIS OCCURS AND THE ISSUE CANNOT EVEN BE REPLICATED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 31, 2013
WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 20 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NO POWER, AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 13, 2013
MY FAMILY AND I (WIFE, 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 9 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER) HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY AND ENTERED OUR HOUSING COMPLEX. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUR VEHICLE'S ENGINE AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TURNED OFF. WE WERE IN MOTION AT THE TIME IT TURNED OFF. WE HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND US, BUT LUCKILY THEY SAW OUR VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN AND DROVE AROUND US. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND STATED EVERYTHING LOCKED UP AND, AS EXPECTED, SHE HAD TO MUSCLE THE STEERING TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALSO DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND HAD NO ABS. WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE BACK UP. I INITIALLY TOLD MY WIFE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BUT AFTER TRYING THAT, IT DID NOT WORK. AFTER WE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK ON WE DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. I CONTACTED CITRUS KIA THAT DAY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THAT ISSUE AND WOULD HAVE NO WAY CONFIRMING WHAT HAPPENED UNLESS IT DID IT WHILE THEY WERE INSPECTING IT. MY VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FROM 4/10/13- 4/13/13. THE END RESULT IS THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT DID DO A NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS TO "HOPEFULLY" PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RE-OCCURRING. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO AS THEY HAVE NO WAY OF ACTUALLY VERIFYING WHY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION. AS OF THIS WRITING I WAS ADVISED I COULD COME DOWN AND PICK UP MY VEHICLE, BUT WILL REFUSE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FOUND AND RESOLVED, AS THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING AND IT RESULTING IN A INJURY OR FATAL COLLISION. I HAVE READ EDMUNDS.COM (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F13B7CA/40) AND SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH NO RESOLUTION. PLEASE PLEASE HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2012
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. THE 2012 SORENTO HAS A PUSH BUTTON START. THE ISSUE STARTED THE DAY WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A REPEATED ISSUE. THE KIA DEALER IN OMAHA NEBRASKA REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE AND THE DEALER IN FAIRVIEW HTS, IL HAS REPLACED THE SAME PART AT LEAST THREE TIMES. I'M THINKING LEMON. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER IN FAIRVIEW HTS, IL FOR THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY MIGHT HAVE DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE KEY SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.