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, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2019
2012 KIA SERENTO 2/25/2017& KIA HAD A "ANTI-CORROSION"RECALL AND WE HAD IT SERVICED AT MIKE SMITH KIA IN PADUCAH,KY-4/14/17,WE WILL CALL THIS DOCUMENT1.THEN WE WE RECEIVED MAJOR ENGINE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 20,2017 ABOUT 2012 KIA SERENTO'S STALLING,DOCUMENT 2.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WYATT JOHNSON KIA OF TN. OCTOBER 7,2017 & WE WERE TOLD IF IT DID NOT PASS THEIR TESTS THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE.OK,WELL THEY SAID IT PASSED,AND CHANGED THE OIL,&SUPPOSEDLY PUT AN "MIL" SENSOR AND"MIL" DASH LIGHT TO DETECT ONCOMING ENGINE FAILURE AND SEND THE CAR INTO WHAT THEY CALL A 'LIMP" MODE. WHICH IS NOT DOCUMENTED ON DOCUMENT #3 WHICH TO OUR SURPRISE IT PASSED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN MAKING AN KNOCKING SOUND AND EXPERIENCING SOME ATTEMPT'S OF THE VEHICLE STALLING.YES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE RAN SOME WHAT SMOOTHER,BUT STILL EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WOULD GET AN OCCASIONAL THROTTLE SPIKE,OR AN ATTEMPT TO STALL.GOT AN RECALL TO DO A LOGICUPGRADE,& TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO WYATT J. KIA DEC.12,2018,DIAGN. DID NOT DETECT CODE FROM KNOK SENSOR BUT CAUTIONED,ON PERFORM FUEL INJECTION/THROTTLE BODY SERVICE FOR $199.95 DOCUMENTS #4&5 THE WE HEAR ABOUT THIS FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE RECALL IN MICHIGAN ON 68,000 VEHICLES IN OUR YEAR,MAKE AND MODEL,WHICH RAISED A RED FLAG TO WHY OUR VEHICLE WAS CONTINUING TO THROTTLE SPIKE'S AND MORE APPARENT ATTEMPTS TO STALL.HOWEVER NO RECALL ON OUR'S?HAVE GOTTEN 2 MORE RECALL'S SINCE ON OUR VEHICLE,ONE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR WARRANTY EXTENSION,&TWO AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING,CALLED KIA TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINT. FOR REPLACEMENT AND ASKED ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE AND IT POSSIBLY BEING THE REASON FOR THE THROTTLE SPIKES & STALL ATTEMPTS ALL THIS TIME,BUT NO RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLE,AND WANT TO CHARGE$120+$199.FOR DIAG.AND THROTTLE BODY/FUEL INJECTION,BUT FREE REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAG SPRING ASS.?HAVE TO KEEP OIL CHANGED,BECAUSE START'S TO RUN REALLY ROUGH.THIS IS GETTING OLD!
Engine, Sep 16, 2019
MY ENGINE WAS REPLACE ON ORIGINAL RECALL. I KEEP BRINGING IT BACK FOR OVERHEATING AND RUNNING HOT AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING IS WRONG. IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR CAR IT DOES NOT GET HOT UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE OR LONG TRIP
Engine, Sep 16, 2019
MY KIA SORENTO IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. I HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP 6/2019 FOR A RECALL TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL EVALUATION WAS COMPLETED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN 07/2019 DUE TO LOSS OF OIL ABOUT 800 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AT MINEKE. THEY TOPPED IT OFF AND HAD ME COME BACK IN AFTER 1000 MILES AND TOLD ME I HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE AND TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO FOLLOW UP. I WENT TO AN OFFICIAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DOCUMENTED BY THEM AND THEY DID THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AGAIN. THEY SAID AT THE TIME THE SPARK PLUGS AND ENGINE LOOKED OK AND THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT MINE WOULD NOT QUALIFY TO BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME AND I COULD KEEP TOPPING OF THE OIL IF NEEDED. I BROUGHT IT BACK AFTER PUTTING ON 950 MILES BECAUSE THE OIL WAS VERY LOW. IT HAD BURNED THROUGH 2.5 QUARTS. THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS BAD AND 2 OUT OF 3 SPARK PLUGS ARE STARTING TO GO. THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA KIA HAS TO BE COVERED UNDER KIA'S EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 136,331 MILES ON IT NOW AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT SO I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY $6,200 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA DIRECTLY AND THEY CREATED A CASE NUMBER. THEY RECOMMENDED GETTING SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER KIA DEALERSHIP. NOW I HAVE TO START THIS PROCESS OVER AGAIN. MEANWHILE, MY ENGINE IS GETTING WORSE AND IT IS CONCERNING ME THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA WITH REPORTS OF ENGINES CATCHING ON FIRE. ONE DEATH AND 130 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED. I DRIVE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE 9 AND 5 AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THEM AT RISK WHILE I WAIT FOR A DECISION ON THIS. AT THE VERY LEAST I WANTED THIS REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Engine, Sep 9, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UPHILL THEN HIT THE BRAKES AND ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH AND CAR DIED. HAD CAR TOWED AND 2 MECHANIC'S TOLD ME THAT MOTOR HAD LOCKED.
Engine, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAWKINSON KIA (5501 MILLER CIR DR, MATTESON, IL 60443, (708) 720-8999) TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. WHILE AT THE DEALER, THE ENGINE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURES OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,286.
Engine, Sep 9, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND I FEEL A "KLUNK". AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, MY RPMS WERE RAPIDLY DROPPING, THEN I FELT THE ENGINE CUT. I POPPED IT INTO N AND HAD TO MAKE MY WAY ACROSS THE 3 LANE HIGHWAY. COASTED TO A STOP ON SHOULDER AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON POPPING THE HOOD, THERE WAS A SMALL ENGINE FIRE WHICH I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH. THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE. BEHIND THE ENGINE, ON THE SERPENTINE BELT, ON THE RADIATOR. IT WOULDNT CRANK SO I HAD IT TOWED. AUTO SHOP CALLED AND STATED "WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVELS AND IT WAS AT THE L LINE ON THE DIP STICK. TRIED TO CRANK IT TO NO AVAIL, THEN TRIED TO MANUALLY CRANK IT AS WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, WITH A PIECE OF THE ENGINE MISSING. YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE." SPECIFICS, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE.
Suspension, Engine, Aug 26, 2019
THE BALL BEARINGS WENT OUT ON THE FRONT END CAUSING BOTH MY FRONT TIRES TO WEAR RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRES ON THE TIRE TREADS. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF FIXING THEM THE ENGINE SEIZED IN MY CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME. WHILE MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY SHE SUDDEN LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD HER BROTHER TAKE OVER DRIVING IT. HE COULD NOT GET IT TO SPEED OR TO SHIFT SO HE PUT IT IN MANUAL TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY HE CALLED ME. I FOLLOWED HIM LESS THEN 4 MILES TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LISTEN TO THE ENGINE AND SAID TO PARK THE CAR AS THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO GO. IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING IT HOME LESS THEN 2 MILES THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED UP.
Engine, Aug 26, 2019
THE ENGINE ON MY 2012 KIA SORENTO RAN OUT OF OIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT OR OTHER INDICATION OF PROBLEM. WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ACCELERATED TO GET AROUND AN 18 WHEELER AND THE ACCELERATION CUT OUT, CAUSING CARS BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLOW TO AVOID RUNNING INTO MY REAR. THE SORENTO QUICKLY BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND PROGRESSIVELY SLOWED DOWN. I CHANGED LANES TO THE RIGHT WHEN SAFE TO DO SO AND STOPPED THE CAR. I LOOKED FOR PROBLEMS UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON AND I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE MOTOR IS BLOWN AND MUST BE REPLACED.
Engine, Aug 23, 2019
I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HWY. WHEN WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY DASH LIGHT WARNINGS MY ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT FELL APART AND I LOST POWER PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CALLED KIA THEY HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 2 DAYS LATER DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE ENGINE SPUN A BEARING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON ON THIS BUT THEY SAID ITS NOT ON MY VIN. # AND IT WILL COST $9,500.00 TO GET AND INSTALL A USED 78,000 MILE ENGINE IN IT, WHY WOULD I PUT A SIMILAR USED ENGINE IN IT TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. MY ENGINE IS 1000 MILES OVER ITS WARRANTY. VERY FRUSTRATING.....I LOOKED ON THIS SITE AND I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M GLAD I WAS JUST ENTERING THE HWY WHEN IT HAPPENED NOT DOING THE 70MPH SPEED CAUSE IT MAY OF HAD A MUCH WORSE OUTCOME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS THANKS FOR READING MY REPORT.
Engine, Aug 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Engine, Aug 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HART KIA (1361 E MAIN ST, SALEM, VA 24153, 540-444-4444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
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.
Engine, Aug 2, 2019, fire
JULY 2016, WHILE HWY DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO (V6) (@69,000 MILEAGE) THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED & SMOLDERED (POLICE CALLED FIRE DEPT). CAR WAS INOPERABLE, TOWED TO SHOP & THEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THAT RADIATOR CAP MELTED & THEY FOUND "METAL IN COOLANT & THE ENGINE" (AS NOTED ON THE KIA DEALERHSHIP DOCUMENTATION). HE SAID HE NEVER SAW SUCH A THING. DEALER SAID ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF THE METAL FOUND IN ENGINE & METAL LIKELY CAUSED OVERHEATING WHICH MELTED RAD CAP. KIA DEALER INSTALLED NEW RADIATOR & A USED ENGINE (W/43K MILEAGE), COSTING ME $14,000. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND RECENTLY 7/2019, @122K MILES AGAIN SMOLDERED & LOST POWER. RADIATOR CAP AGAIN "MELTED" REQUIRING A 3RD RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. GAUGES/DASH SHOWED NO INDICATION OF CAR OVERHEATING. I FEAR PROBLEM IS RECURRING WITH 2ND ENGINE (SAME DEFECT). LEARNED OF 2012 SORENTO RECALLS FOR EXACT ISSUES (METAL IN ENGINE, OVERHEATING/FIRE, KNOCKING & POWER LOSS). KIA DEALER (8/2019) INFORMED ME ONLY 4 CYL UNITS WERE RECALLED FOR METAL IN ENGINE & MY 6 CYL UNIT WITH THE SAME ENGINE-METAL ISSUES WAS NOT COVERED BY KIA RECALL. I ASKED IF ANYTHING RELATED TO CAR USE OR MAINTENANCE WOULD HAVE CAUSED METAL TO CONTAMINATE AN ENGINE; DEALER SAID NO, PROBLEM IS UNRELATED TO CAR USE OR MAINTENANCE AND A MFG PROBLEM WAS THE ONLY WAY THE METAL WOULD SHOW UP IT. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 6 CYL MODELS REPAIR COSTS WERE MINE. THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT KIA. MY VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE 4 CYL MODELS & IT'S A UNIQUE DEFECT KNOWN ON NUMEROUS KIA MODELS. KIA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED MY IMPECCABLE PM & SERVICE REORD. THEY ADMIT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE DUE TO VEHICLE CARE OR USE, & KNOW THE PROBLEMS W/ MY 6 CYL ARE IDENTICAL TO 4CYLS. I BELIEVE KIA MAY BE UNDERREPORTING THE PROBLEM & FAILED DUE DILIGENCE TO IDENTIFY SAME DEFECTS IN 6 CYL MODELS.
Engine, Aug 1, 2019
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY GOES DEAD, NO WARNING NO ENGINE LIGHT. NO POWER, NO BRAKES NO POWER STEERING. DID GLIDE TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH A NEAR MISS, CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA DEALER.
Steering, Engine, Jul 22, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISES, SMOKING, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SEIZED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE. MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PART ON MANUFACTURING DEFECT RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS CHECKED BY A KIA SERVICE SHOP FOR THIS OVER A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME I ASKED IF THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD OCCUR AT A LATER DATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FINE NOW. THEY SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD STILL OCCUR AT A LATER DATE BUT WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COULD FAIL/LOCK-UP, CATCH ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.
Engine, Jul 19, 2019
VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY KIA SORENTO. AT 90000 MILES IT STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD IT HAD BEARINGS WEAR AND WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT THE ENGINE I HAVE IS NOT RECALLED. HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS GET MORE COMPLAINTS ON THIS BECAUSE IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT A CAR NEEDS A NEW $6000 ENGINE AT 90,000 MILES. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT I WAS RECOMMENDING KIA TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND NOW SINCE THIS HAPPENED I WOULD NEVER AGAIN BUY OR RECOMMEND A KIA CAR EVER.
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!
Engine, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD-UP IN THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE TO KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA (6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003, (805) 256-7021) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD NO WAY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTACT REFUSED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REQUESTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Engine, Jul 14, 2019
LOSING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. STARTED AT 80,000 MILES. TAKEN TO DEALER. WE ARE DOING OIL LOSS TEST. SAID THIS IS NORMAL. NO WAY THIS IS NORMAL. STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX. ON TEC SAID JUST DRIVE TO ENGINE LOCKS UP IS ONLY WAY KIA WILL FIX. THAT WOULD BE NICE GOING DONE THE ROAD AT 70 MPH.I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT SAME THING. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE ENGINES. NO SMOKE OR DRIPPING ON GROUND. ALL THE PEOPLE ONLINE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING.
Engine, Jul 8, 2019
MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED CHUGGING, DRIVING EXTREMELY ROUGHLY, AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH THE RECALL ON ENGINES LIKE MINE SO I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND EXPLAINED MY CONCERN AND THE THE RECALL IN QUESTION HAD BEEN CLEARED BECAUSE IT HADN'T DONE ANYTHING AT THE TIME BUT NOW I WAS CONCERNED THAT WAS THE ISSUE. THEY RAN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION COILS AND THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $800 BUT THEY WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECALL OR SHOW ME WHAT THE CODES WERE. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM RUN THE CODES SO I COULD SEE WHAT THEY WERE AND IT WAS JUST THE IGNITION COIL AND CYLINDER 4 MISFIRING AND NOT THE FUEL INJECTOR AT ALL. I GOT THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED BUT IT'S STILL RUNNING ROUGH AND CYLINDER 4 IS STILL MISFIRING AND MY CAR EVEN STALLED OUT ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WITH 151,000 MILES ON IT. IT DROVE LIKE A DREAM WHEN I GOT IT AND I'VE TAKEN CARE OF IT REALLY WELL EVER SINCE. I'M AFRAID THIS ISSUE IS OUT OF MY HAND AND HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT RECALL OR POSSIBLY ANOTHER ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Engine, Jul 8, 2019
MY CAR IS HAVING PREMATURE BEARING WEAR AND CAUSING NOISES WITHIN THE ENGINE AT ALL TIMES. I WAS TOLD MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SC147 BUT IT SHOULD BE.
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.
Engine, Jun 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR TAIL PIPE. THERE WAS ALSO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN NEEDING TO DRIVE MORE THAN 40 MPH. CENTURY 3 KIA (2483 LEBANON CHURCH RD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15122, (412) 466-1466) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE19004 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.