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
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
Engine, Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 03/12/14*LJ *TR
Steering, Engine, Dec 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC SO WE WEREN'T DRIVING VERY FAST, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED RESTARTING IT. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND DROVE NORMAL AFTER THAT. *TR
Engine, Dec 13, 2013
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND FOR NO REASON MY CAR JUST STALLED I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT . *TR
Engine, Nov 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 9, 2013
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN ENGINE. NO ACCELERATION AND LUCKILY HAD AN EXIT CLOSE TO PULL OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WOULD TURN ON, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEARBY DEALERSHIP. WE WERE 8 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. KIA WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL WITH DEALING WITH THIS. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE. WE HAD ALL PAPERWORK FOR OIL CHANGES IN CAR AND THEY MADE THE DEALERSHIP FAX THEM OVER BEFORE STARTING ANY WORK - WHICH HAPPENED TO BE 4 DAYS LATER BECAUSE THEY STILL DIDN'T WANT TO AUTHORIZE KIA TO WORK ON THE CAR. KIA MADE IT SEEM LIKE WE HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD 19,000 MILES ON IT. WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR AUTHORIZED TO WORK ON AND WERE AUTHORIZED TO GET A RENTAL CAR (ON DAY 5). WE WENT BACK HOME, THE CAR WAS STUCK IN TOWN 8 HOURS AWAY GETTING WORKED ON. WHEN CAR WAS DONE, KIA WANTED MY HUSBAND TO DRIVE 8 HOURS TO PICK UP THE CAR! THEY ARGUED AND ARGUED WITH US UNTIL THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PUT IT ON A TRUCK AND HAVE IT TRANSPORTED. SERVICE PAPERWORK SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF METAL DEBRIS IN BOTTOM OF OIL PAN. THEY REPLACED THE LONG BLOCK ASSEMBLY. WHEN THEY REPLACED THAT, THEY FOUND THE OIL FILTER TO BE DAMAGED AND REPLACED THAT AS WELL. *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
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 25, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (55-65 MPH) OUR VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN; ALL ELECTRICAL POWERED OFF, ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOSS OF ABS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SHIFTING INTO 'PARK' POSITION. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, ALL UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Engine, Jul 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR
Engine, Jul 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ALL THREE TIMES BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR
Engine, Apr 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO WAIT 15 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED CHANGING THE ECT ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,671 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *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
Engine, Jan 9, 2013
I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WHEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. STARTED THROUGH INTERSECTION WHEN CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WAS TOLD THEY FOUND CODE P2110 LIMP HOME MODE. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURED ON INTERSTATE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 8, 2013
I OWN A 2012 4 CYLINDER KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN NOV 2011. HAD IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IT JUST STOPPED....HAD TO LET TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND THEN LET OFF BRAKE TO COAST BACK DOWN HILL UNTIL I GOT TO A PLACE I COULD PULL IN. TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP...TRANSMISSION ISSUES-HAD TO GET NEW ONE...DEALERSHIP KEPT IT OVER A WEEK.LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND AGAIN SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP I NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION....IT'S BEEN AT DEALERSHIP 1/2 A WEEK AND NOT SURE WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR
Engine, Nov 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND AS A RESULT, IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000... UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE BLOCK UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 01/09/13
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 4, 2012
ON 08/12/12 WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 72-74 MPH, I EASED OUT INTO THE PASSING LANE TO PUT MYSELF BEHIND SOMEONE GOING FASTER. THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED AND ACCELERATED WITH MAXIMUM THROTTLE. I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL MODERATELY TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR CONTINUED AT MAXIMUM ACCELERATION AND IN THE PASSING GEAR. I THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH GREAT VIGOR AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I REACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES WITHOUT ANY FURTHER MALFUNCTION. I PRESENTED THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR. THE CAR WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. I ASKED THEM IF THEY REPORTED THESE VERY DANGEROUS OBSERVATIONS TO KIA OR NHTSA. THEY SAID NO THEY NEVER DO. INCIDENTAL TO THIS EVENT, I HAD AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON 7/25/12. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION HEAT SENSOR. A PART WAS ORDERED AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY. WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS, I BECAME AWARE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATING WHEN DRIVING THE FIRST TIME IN A DAY. BUT IF THE ENGINE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED NORMALLY. I DUPLICATED THIS 3 DISTINCT TIMES EXACTLY AS WRITTEN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO LINK THE DIFFICULTY TO ANYTHING THEY HAD SEEN OR READ, THEY SUMMERIZED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR THAT FAILED BUT THE COMPUTER DISPELLED THAT NOTION. *TR
Engine, Aug 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED WITHIN TEN MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RETURN CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2012
WHILE TURNING ONTO BUSY STREET, ENGINE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF STREET. BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED AT SAME TIME. MUST HAVE FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR VEHICLE WILL STALL AND NOT ADVANCE FORWARD. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME BOTH ARE PRESSED AT SAME TIME. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO V6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, HE MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING WAS NORMAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO VERIFIED THE DEALERS ADVISEMENT AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2012
THE 2012 KIA SORENTO LX AWD WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 233 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REGULARLY HESITATES TO UP-SHIFT DURING SMOOTH ACCELERATION WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (FLAT ROADS, CRUISING SPEEDS), CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HANG IN THE 3500+ RPM RANGE. WHEN THE CAR HAS FINISHED ACCELERATING AND HAS REACHED CRUISING SPEED, MY FOOT BACKS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND IT STILL DOES NOT UP-SHIFT OR EVEN COAST. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATES AS THE ENGINE RPMS DROP BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN THE SAME GEAR WHEN MY FOOT LEAVES THE ACCELERATOR, RATHER THAN UP-SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN COUNTLESS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON PRIOR TO OWNING THIS VEHICLE. I DON?T NORMALLY MAKE USE OF THE "SPORTMATIC SHIFT" FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES "MANUALLY" UP-SHIFTING WITH THE SPORTMATIC SHIFT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO UP-SHIFT PROPERLY TO 5TH OR 6TH GEAR ONCE ACCELERATION IS COMPLETE AND CRUISING SPEED HAS BEEN REACHED. IT SEEMS AS IF EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS ILL-INFORMED OR JUST POORLY PROGRAMMED. ASIDE FROM THE SHEER ANNOYANCE OF THIS DEFECT FROM A DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE, IT ALSO IS RUINING THE FUEL ECONOMY OF THE VEHICLE. FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN EPA MILES-PER-GALLON RATING OF 21 CITY/28 HIGHWAY/23 COMBINED, I HAVE NEVER ONCE ACHIEVED TRUE CALCULATED FUEL ECONOMY OF OVER 20 MPG SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE. MY DRIVING PATTERNS ARE APPROXIMATELY 40% CITY AND 60% HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN A FAIRLY RURAL AREA WITH HARDLY ANY STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS NOT CARRYING EXCESS WEIGHT AND ALL 4 TIRES ARE INFLATED TO THE MANUFACTURER?S SPECIFICATION. I'VE SEEN ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER 2012 SORENTO DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 4, 2012
I HAVE A 2012 KIA SORENTO. BOUGHT WITH 114 MILES ON IT. I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EX AWD MODEL W/POWER SHIFTING. I NOTICED AFTER DRIVING MY CAR SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. RPMS WOULD REACH UP TO 4000 AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT. I HAVE TO MANUAL SHIFT THE CAR INTO THE NEXT GEAR SINCE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS TROUBLE. IF I WANTED A STANDARD TRANSMISSION - I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2011
THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON SOMETIMES THE CAR THE LUNGES BACKWARDS WHILE THE CAR IS STILL IN PARK IT ONLY DOES THIS WHEN I AM STARTING THE CAR. IT ALSO MAKES AN AUDIBLE NOISE AT THE SAME TIME IT IS " BUCK JUMPING". I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AN ON THE FIRST VISIT THEY HEARD THE NOISE AND FIGURED IT WAS THE STARTER. THEY PUT IN A NEW STARTER AND I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO SLIP DURING CITY DRIVING BUT IT IS VERY SUBTLE. NOW AFTER ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME BEING IN THE SHOP EVERY TIME THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE ALREADY HEARD THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY PUT IN A NEW STARTER AND TOLD ME IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS TO BRING IT BACK. ON ONE OF THE VISITS THEY REWIRED THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TO SEE IF IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND IT WAS NOT. I AM AFRAID THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THE CAR IS ACTUALLY GOING TO MOVE OUT OF PARK AND HIT SOMETHING. EVERY TIME I PUSH THE START BUTTON I HOLD MY BREATH AND GO STIFF BECAUSE WHEN IT "ACTS" UP THE WHOLE CAR JUMPS BACKWARDS AS IF IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT ITSELF IN REVERSE AND THE NOISE WAS DESCRIBED AS THE STARTER IS HITTING THE FLYWHEEL OR SOME OTHER TERMINOLOGY I CAN'T RECALL. I ALWAYS PICK MY CAR UP FROM THEM WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, BUT HOW IS IT THAT AS SOON AS THE SAME DAY OF PICKING MY CAR UP OR WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS MY CAR STARTS JUMPING WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON. THE DEALERSHIP HAS KEPT MY CAR A FULL WEEK ON MORE THAN ONE VISIT AND THE MECHANIC HAS PUT AS MANY AS 85 MILES ON IT STARTING IT FREQUENTLY AND YOU GUESSED IT - HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM!!!!! SOMEBODY IS NOT FORTHCOMING WITH THE TRUTH.