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: engine
475 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, May 12, 2018
116,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 2K MILES SINCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. NO MATTER HOW MANY ENGINE FLUSHES AND ENGINE CLEANERS I USE IT BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY. YESTERDAY I DROVE 1 BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE BEFORE REALIZING THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING BEYOND 20 MILES PER HOUR. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT WON'T REACH MORE THAN 2 ON THE RPM DIAL.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 8, 2018
MY MECHANIC SAID MY ENGINE SEIZED ON ME. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHICH TURNS INTO A CITY STREET AND THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT TO GET OFF OF THE BUSY STREET IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I THEN TRIED TO START THE ENGINE, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THERE WAS NO NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED ON ME. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. I CALLED KIA BUT THEY SAID MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A GDI MODEL, EVEN THOUGH IT FALLS INTO THE SAME YEAR FOR THE ENGINE RECALL. I CALLED KIA TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THEY DISCONTINUED MY ENGINE MODEL. SO THEY TOLD ME MY BEST BET WOULD BE TO SEARCH FOR A USED ENGINE IN A JUNK YARD.
Power train, Engine, Apr 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD AND ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Apr 4, 2018
MY KIA SORENTO DIED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ' STALLING REPEATEDLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND, OF COURSE, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP ' AND WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE (AT MY COST, OF COURSE) AS WARRANTY NOT CONSIDERED VALID BY LACK OF ENOUGH MAINTENANCE RECORDS.
Engine, Mar 27, 2018
AFTER JUST HAVING A FAULTY STARTER REPLACED ON THIS CAR (WHICH THEY CHARGED US OVER $800 TO DO, AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THEIR ISSUE), WE STARTED TO NOTICE THE OIL LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHILE STOPPING. WE THEN NOTICED OIL LEAKING, CONTACTED KIA, AFTER WE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE WE SEE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR LEAKING, WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR CANADA BUT NOT U.S. (EVEN THOUGH THEY COME FROM THE SAME PLANT). THEY CHARGED US OVER $300 TO DO, THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST US WITH ANY ISSUE.
Engine, Mar 19, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH BOARD CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF ROAD AND INTO A DRIVEWAY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY ENGINE LOCKED.
Engine, Mar 10, 2018
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS SUV. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON. I PULL OFF THE ROAD RIGHT AWAY AND SHUT OFF. THEN I NOTICED TRAIL OF OIL ON ROAD BEHIND ME. I GET OUT AND LOOK UNDER FRONT OF CAR AND SEE OIL RUNNING OUT ON TO THE GROUND. COST $700.00 LAST TIME WHEN REPAIRED. REPLACED MAIN SEAL ON MOTOR AND REPLACED OIL SENDING UNIT. WATCHED YOU TUBE VIDEO THEY SAID LOOKS LIKE MAIN SEAL LEAK BUT IS ACTUALLY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. LOCATED UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OIL RUNS OUT END OF MOTOR. BY TRANSMISSION AND LOOKS LIKE MAIN SEAL LEAK. BUT IT'S JUST A $18.00 OIL SENDING UNIT. THAT'S LEAKING.
Engine, Mar 5, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND OBSERVED A HUGE CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH NEAR THE TRANSMISSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. KIA OF LANCASTER (1608, 5250 MAIN ST, EAST PETERSBURG, PA 17520) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE EXHAUST HANGER HAD MELTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ROD #4 BLEW INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Feb 24, 2018
DEPRESSED PUSH TO START BUTTON, THE CAR MADE A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEELING AND GRINDING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BUT WAS NOT RUNNING. COULD NOT GET THE SOUND TO STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER 3-5 MINUTES. RESTARTED THE CAR THIS TIME IT STARTED, DROVE THE CAR WITH NO ISSUES FOR 3 DAYS. DEPRESSED PUSH TO START BUTTON LOUD SOUND CAME FROM UNDER ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE THE STARTER WAS ENGAGED BUT NOT TURNING OVER THE MOTOR. COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP, STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ELECTRICAL SMELL, AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IT STOPPED SOUNDING AS IF THE STARTER BURNT UP. HAD CAR TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN MUNCIE, IN. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD STARTER DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF STARTER THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, HE INSTALLED NEW STARTER, ONCE NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER, MECHANIC ADVISED ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP.
Engine, Jan 24, 2018
2012 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN DUE TO NOT TAKING CARE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE MOTOR STARVATION OF OIL. THE CONSUMER IS IN POSSESSION OF ALL OIL CHANGE RECORDS. *JS
Engine, Jan 23, 2018
I HAD BEEN HEARING A NOISE AND MECHANIC ASKED ME TO BRING INTO HIS SHOP TO TAKE A LOOK. ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. MECHANIC HAD IT TOWED TO HIS SHOP, THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING AND ALL LOOKED GOOD. WHEN THEY TRIED STARTING THE ENGINE IT WAS FROZEN. I HAD NO ENGINE LIGHT WARNING AT ALL.
Engine, Jan 18, 2018
THURSDAY MORNING, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I MADE OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND PAST THE GAS STATION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL MY LIGHTS CAME ON AND AS I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS, NO SPEED AT ALL. I LOOKED AND REALIZED THAT MY TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS ABLE TOO MANGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WANT THE BATTERY. LATER WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE LOCKED UP..... NOW WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE NO PICTURES OR DOCUMENTATION YET, AS I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. WILL ASK MORE ABOUT THIS WHEN I PICK IT UP.
Engine, Jan 3, 2018
THERE IS A RECALL ON 2012 KIA SORENTO ENGINE BUT MY VIN WILL NOT SHOW UP THAT THERE IS A RECALL. MY ENGINE SEIZED WITH ONLY 69000+MILES ON IT AND JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER RECALLED VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT. I HAD TO GET A JUMP TO ACTUALLY GET MY CARE STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE JUMP MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. MY CARE HAS NEVER GAVE ME ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEMS OR ANY RANDOM SOUNDS. NOW I AM EITHER FORCED TO PAY OVER 5 GRAND FOR AN ENGINE FOR A CAR THAT I HAVE ONLY HAD FOR 2 YEARS OR BUY A NEW CAR. I AM ALSO STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR.
Engine, Dec 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RAY SKILLMAN SOUTHSIDE AUTO CENTER (8424 U.S. 31 S, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227 (317) 888-9500), BUT NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON THE DAY OF THE RECALL INSPECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHERE THE OIL LEVEL WAS CHECKED AND RECORDED LOW AS WELL, BUT NO LEAKS WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WERE THEY ALSO FOUND THE OIL LEVEL TO BE LOW WITH NO OIL LEAKS. THE VEHICLE WAS SET UP FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT 2,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE SHOWED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT MAKING NOISE, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Engine, Dec 4, 2017
MY MAIN REAR SEALS OF MY ENGINE BEGAN TO LEAK OIL.
Engine, Nov 12, 2017
OUR CAR STARTED SHOWING ENGINE PROBLEMS. IT WAS BLOWING BIG PUFFS OF SMOKE OUT NOT THE EXHAUST WHEN ACCELERATING, IT WAS VERY SLUGGISH, IT WOULD ALSO TRY TO STALL OUT HERE AND THERE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT IS PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. THEY "TESTED" IT AND SAID THE ENGINE PASSED BUT TOOK A VIDEO OF THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND SENT IT TO THEIR TECHS TO SEE HOW TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NOW WAITING ON AN ANSWER. NO TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED. PAID OUT ALMOST $300 IN THE LAST WEEK FOR A RENTAL. THE DEALERSHIP BASICALLY TOLD US WE WERE ON OUR OWN TRANSPORTATION WISE.
Engine, Nov 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STOPPING OR MAKING A LEFT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OFTHE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER (PEAK KIA LITTLETON/DENVER, 5077 S WADSWORTH BLVD, LITTLETON, CO 80123 (303) 562-0442) WAS CONTACTED, BUT AN APPOINTMENT WAS NOT MADE DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.
Engine, Oct 23, 2017
OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND BEGAN. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CAR STALLED. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER AND A NEW ENGINE HAD TO BE PUT IN. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP THAT RECALL SC147 ADDRESSES 2012 KIA SORENTO'S AND THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS OUR CAR HAD. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE HER ENGINE TYPE. GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND THE DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT SHE WAS PUT IN, WE FEEL THAT THESE SORENTO ENGINE TYPES SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS CONTACTED AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF COMPENSATION OR ADD THIS VEHICLE ENGINE TYPE TO THE RECALL.
Engine, Oct 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000(ENGINE) WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL OF 2017. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Engine, Sep 26, 2017
AFTER 88,000 MILES, THE SORENTO'S ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE STAYED ON BUT CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD SOUND. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PEAK KIA IN LITTLETON, CO WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $7000-$10,000 DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES UP TO THIS POINT. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED AN MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL FOR ENGINE PARTICLES. AS A SECOND OWNER, I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY. I FEEL AS IF THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AND HONORED. MY 5 YEAR OLD WELL MAINTAINED CAR HAD NO REASON TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS AND THAT IS EFFECTING OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Engine, Sep 21, 2017
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
Engine, Sep 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE PROGRESSING NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA AND, UPON EXITING A RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT NOT YET NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Sep 11, 2017
ON 09/10/2017 WHILE DRIVING A 2012 KIA SORENTO DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WITH A LOUD BANG A FEW SECONDS LATER.THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S AND NHTSA'S WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1800-333-4542 AND BETHANY TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SHE SAID THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD CHECK THE OTHER 2 RECALL THOUGH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO SEE OIL POURING OUT FROM A 3 INCH HOLE IN THE BLOCK, TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE THE THROWN ROD BROKE THE BLOCK. OIL IS CHANGED EVERY THREE MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE HAS 120,129 MILES ON IT. THE COST OF A USED ENGINE ALONE IS NEAR $3000, PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL A MOTOR THAT COULD DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE KIA MOTORS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AT NO COST.
Engine, Aug 21, 2017
KIA SORENTO ENGINE RECALL - MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 6/17 DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THEY CALLED ME TO PICK UP MY CAR ON 8/19. AFTER EXITING THE LOT, I CONTINUED TO HEAR THE METAL GRINDING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AREA TO THE RIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, ADDITIONAL NOISES COULD BE HEARD IN THE REAR AXLE AND AN EXTREMELY TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ASKED THAT I RETURN THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT ON MONDAY MORNING, 8/21 AND WAITED 3 HOURS WHILE THEY CHECKED THE CAR. THE MANAGER THEN INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING SHAFT WHICH WOULD COST ME $518. MY CAR DID NOT HAVE A TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN I LAST DROVE IT BEFORE BEING TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP LOT. THE TECHNICIANS HAD TO PULL MY CAR APART TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND ADJUSTED MY STEERING SHAFT, WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. IN ADDITION, KIA ALSO OWES ME OVER $900 FOR A PREVIOUS REPAIR AND TWO EXPENSES THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED ON 6/21. AS I CONTINUE TO KEEP A LOG OF ALL MY CALLS TO KIA AND THE DEALER TO MAKE MY CASE AGAINST THE COMPANY. THE CAR HAS NOT IMPROVED WITH A REFURBISHED ENGINE, IT HAS BECOME WORSE, WHICH PLACES ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I HAVE GIVEN ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO MY ATTORNEY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE COMPANY AND WITH THE NECESSARY REGULATORY BODY. MY CAR WAS WORKING EFFICIENTLY BEFORE BREAKING DOWN AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED AND MY CAR FIXED OR REPLACED.
Engine, Aug 16, 2017, fire
ON 08/10/12017 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON I-40. I HEARD A "RATTLING NOISE" FROM THE ENGINE. AS I SLOWED DOWN THE SOUND GOT LOUDER. I TURNED ON A SIDE STREET INTO A SAFE AREA AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW 2 SMALL PATCHES OF FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT, THEN RAN TO A BEST WESTERN HOTEL AND ASKED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN CASE A FIRE WOULD ERUPT AGAIN. I RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S, NHTSA'S , PBS AND FORBES WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS # AND THE PERSON TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HE SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD JUST RETURNED WITH MY FAMILY 1 DAY PRIOR FROM A TRIP TO MOBILE, AL. (1500 MILES ROUND TRIP). ON 08/12/17 I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO BATTLEGROUND KIA WHERE THE ADVISOR & TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM A "THROWN ROD".THIS HOLE IS 3" TO 4" DIAMETER. (PICTURES ATTACHED). I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROD TO BE THROWN? I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON SCHEDULE THE LATEST WAS 07/26/2017. THIS VEHICLE HAS 123,937 MILES ON IT. HE REPLIED HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. ON 08/15/2017 I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE WITH 99,000 MILES WAS $6400 PLUS LABOR. [THAT IS ABOUT 24,000 MILES LESS THAN MINE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM LINGERING TO HAPPEN AGAIN] IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL WITH MINE. I WOULD LIKE KIA MANUFACTURING TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AND RENTAL VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME. I'LL LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THIS. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS