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
880 reports, newest first.
Engine, Aug 8, 2020
I OWN A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150000.
Engine, Aug 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUTOFF WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAS TOWED TO THE MANAHAWKIN KIA DEALER, LOCATED AT: 270 NJ-72, MANAHAWKIN, NJ 08050, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2020
ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING - BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE EITHER. REPLACE THE FUSE AND IT BLOWS IMMEDIATELY. HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND THEY INFORMED ME A DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM- IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
Engine, Jul 29, 2020, fire
MY KIA SORENTO 2012 ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR DESERT HIGHWAY WHICH MY INSURANCE UPON INSPECTION DETERMINED IT WAS CAUSED BY A PISTON ROD PIERCING THE ENGINE WHICH ALTHOUGH OTHER KIA MODELS ARE PART OF A RECALL AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2020
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUTCH MILLER KIA IN CHARLOTTE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WOULD NEED AN OCS MAT REPLACEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Engine, Jul 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DUTCH MILLER KIA LOCATED AT 335 MCCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25303 HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Jul 15, 2020
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, I - THE CAR OWNER - UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB FOR PASSENGERS TO LOAD THE VEHICLE. AS THE REAR PASSENGER GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE, IT CAME OFF IN HER HAND. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME WAS YEARS PRIOR UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS, SAME PASSENGER REAR RIGHT DOOR. I PAID FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET THAT TIME BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WASN'T A RECALL. I AM SURE THIS HANDLE SHOULD BE RECALLED CLEARLY AFTER HAPPENING TWICE FOR NO UNDERSTANDING REASON OR AGGRESSION.
Engine, Jul 14, 2020
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WILL INTENSELY JERK AND IMMEDIATELY LOCKS UP THE DRIVING CONTROLS AS THE ENGINE STALLS AND STARTS TO SEIZE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, AND RESTRAINING FROM ANY ACCELERATION, STEERING, OR POWER USE.
Engine, Jul 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMITH CHEVROLET INC (1911 EASTERN AVE, GALLIPOLIS, OH 45631) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
Engine, Jul 12, 2020
MY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I GOT TO WORK AND WAITED A FEW HOURS THEN CHECKED THE OIL. I FOUND THE OIL WAS LOW AND ADDED MORE, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND STILL HEARD THE KNOCKING. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH KEEPING OIL IN MY VEHICLE, THERE ARE NO LEAKS, DRIPS OR ANYTHING ON THE GROUND. I HAVE NOTICED WATER LIKE LIQUID DRIPPING FROM AROUND THE EXHAUST JUST REAR OF THE OIL PAN AND FRAME AND MY RPMS DROP WHEN FROM ABOUT 800 TO LESS THE 500 WHEN STATIONARY. I KEEP UP WITH ALL THE OIL CHANGES WITH THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN, DID WHAT RECALLS WERE REQUESTED BY KIA. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 143,800 MILES. I CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS AND FOUND MY VIN NUMBER WAS UNRELATED TO ANY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE CAR'S ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND IT ALLOWED ME TO RESTART AND DRIVE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME I STARTED IT, I TURNED OFF ON A LESS CROWED ROAD TO GET TO ANOTHER STRETCH OF ROAD AND DROVE VERY SLOWING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES TO GET IT HOME. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I DIDN'T PARK IT IN THE GARAGE. THE SMELL WAS STRONG AND THE HOOD VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANCE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I KEEP THE OIL CHANGED AND HAD IT DONE ON 6/22/2020. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 23, 2020
DRIVING ON THE THRU-WAY GOING 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD SUDDENLY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES AND COMPLETELY JUST 'SHUT OFF' ON ME WITH NO FORE-WARNING. CALLED AAA, TECH. COULD VISIBLY SEE A BELT WHICH HAD RIPPED OUT OF ENGINE AND WAS DANGLING UNDER VEHICLE. I THEN HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED- A NEW BELT WAS INSTALLED , A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BRAKES, OIL CHANGE. 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS EVENT, I WAS AGAIN DRIVING ON THE THRU- WAY IN ALMOST THE SAME EXACT LOCATION AND THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. . MY VEHICLE JUST WENT DEAD, THIS TIME SLOWING DOWN AND DYING. CALLED AAA , THEY SERVICED ME OFF THE THRU-WAY (THRU-WAY DIVISION) AND UPON HAVING VEHICLE LOOKED AT MY CHOICE SHOP.. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED (WAS NOW TOTALLY DEAD) AND WAS NON- REPAIRABLE WITHOUT A NEW ENGINE. ALSO TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OIL EVEN THOUGH I HAD ONLY 3 WEEKS PRIOR GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE AND CAR REPAIRMAN COULD NOT REPORT ANY PHYSICAL ISSUES WITH OIL CONNECTIONS, IE. GASKET LEAK, DRAIN PLUG, SEAL ISSUES. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MONIES I HAVE SPENT FROM DAY 1 ON THIS VEHICLE, MY EXPERIENCES AND THE LEMON THE VEHICLE HAS PROVEN TO BE, I FIND THIS INCREDIBLY UNSETTLING AND KNOW THAT THERE WERE ISSUES GOING ON WITH THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO IT GOING ONTO THE ROAD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND WERE NOT DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. ASIDE FROM THESE ISSUES, IN PAST THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE LOCKS AND WINDOWS LOCKING ON THERE OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND FUSES RELATED TO THIS AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE SHOCKING ME WHEN OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WHICH IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE! I REQUEST THAT SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THE RECALL WITHHOLDING WHICH HAS COME TO LIGHT WITH KIA AND MY VEHICLE QUALIFYING FOR THESE RECALLS AS KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME FINANCIALLY AS WELL AS WEST HERR. *TR
Engine, Jun 13, 2020
THE VEHICLE, A 2012 KIA SORENTO WITH 95719 MILES, IS UP TO DATE ON ALL RECALLS AS IT IS REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE ENTERING A BUSY HIGHWAY ON 6/13/2020, AND ACCELERATING PAST 45MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON, MAKING IT SEEM LIKE THE CAR WASN'T EVEN STARTED. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SHOULDER, PUT IT INTO PARK, AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. THE CAR ACTED LIKE NORMAL ON STARTING (STARTER TURNED, POWER WAS AVAILABLE) FOR EVERYTHING BUT THE ENGINE TURNING ON. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE FAMILY MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE FINE, NO ERROR CODES WERE DETECTED ON THE CAN BUS READER INSTRUMENT, SO EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL ON THE COMPUTER. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY STALLING FAULT FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE ON ANY ROADWAY. *TR
Power train, Jun 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GUNTHER KIA (1900 S STATE RD 7, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317) TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED WAS FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Air bags, May 31, 2020
MY AIR BAG LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I START UP MY ENGINE AND MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I WAS WONDERING IS THAT NORMAL? I'VE HAVE GOTTEN MY INSPECTION AND EVERYTHING PASSED.
Seat belts, May 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT HOWEVER, THE RETRACTOR FAILED TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTOR PERMANENTLY CEASED IN PLACE AND WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, May 12, 2020
I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO REPLACE MY OCS SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FOR $ 2100-$2300. THEY SAID THE AIR BAG WON'T WORK. NEXT TO ME WAS ANOTHER WOMAN BEING GIVEN THE SAME INFO AT THE DEALER AND ONLINE I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. RIDICULOUS!!!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2020, fire
THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 45 MINUTES AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN. I HAD NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I WALKED OUTSIDE TO THE DRIVEWAY AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS UNOCCUPIED AND WAS NOT RUNNING. THE SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. I UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A PAN OF WATER. I LET IT COOL OFF AND CRANKED IT AND MOVED IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH APPARENTLY HAD MELTED AND THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF.
Engine, Apr 22, 2020, fire
I HAD MY CAR SERVICED ON 3/13/2020. I HAD A CRACKED VALVE COVER GASKET. I DROVE MY CAR ON 3/15/2020 TO MY DAD'S HOUSE. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DAD'S DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF. ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ON TOP OF THE HOOD OVER THE ENGINE AREA. WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS AN INFERNO.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2020
I CONTINUE TO HAVE STARTING ISSUES. SOMETIMES IT STARTS MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T. ALSO I HAVE REPLACED MY HEAD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS SEVERAL TIMES. IT'S AS IF THERE IS A SHORTAGE INSIDE THE CAR SOMEWHERE. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE 2012 KIA SOENTO. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM HANDLED BUT I AM CONVINCED THIS IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT HAS TO DO WITH MANUFACTURING.
Engine, Apr 1, 2020
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (KIA COUNTRY IF SAVANNAH) WHERE THEY HAD 14 OTHER 2012 KIA SORENTO WAITING FOR NEW ENGINES. MAJOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SLUG IN THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN ROUTINE OIL CHANGES. CLAIMED THE ENGINE WASN'T GETTING OIL BUT OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED THE DAY BEFORE WITH NO REPORTED ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2020
MY MOO ROOF SHATTERED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 5 YEARS. NOTHING HIT IT, IT WAS PARKED THE FIRST TIME AND WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE STANDING NEXT TO IT AND HEARD IT START TO SHATTER, YESTERDAY I GOT IN IT AFTER IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE STARTED TO DRIVE AND HEARD THIS POP/ CRACKLING SOUND AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN! THIS CAN'T BE BAD LUCK TWICE IN A ROW LIKE THIS. I DID NOTHING TO IT, WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING AND NOW AGAIN, SHATTERED!
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 10, 2020, fire
I HAVE A 2012 KIA SORENTO. I HAD ISSUES WITH A RECALL WHEN THE DEALER USED A PROBE TO LOOK FOR METAL SHAVINGS IN MY MOTOR. CAR STARTED BURNING OIL. AFTER 4 MONTHS OF ARGUING WITH THE DEALER, KIA FINALLY REPLACED THE MOTOR IN JANUARY 2018. NOW ON 3/9/2020 I AM 4 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. I SMELL GAS AND THEN MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. KIA HAS A RECALL ON "CERTAIN" 2012 KIA SORENTO'S HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT ONE. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY DID MINE CATCH FIRE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2020
ON THE AFTERNOON OF 2-27-20 I WAS DRIVING ON I-25 HEADED SOUTH, NEAR MEAD (BETWEEN LOVELAND AND DENVER) I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 80MPH IN THE MIDDLE (3) LANE WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE NO REASON AT ALL. GLASS RAINED DOWN EVERYWHERE AND I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT IT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS IS A BUSY SECTION OF I-25 AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CARS NEARBY, ALL GOING 70+MPH. I HEARD NO IMPACT TO THE SUNROOF WHATSOEVER. IT JUST SORT OF EXPLODED. IT SEEMS TO ME AS THOUGH THE LEADING METAL EDGE WAS FLEXING AND AIR GOT UNDER IT IN SUCH A WAY, THAT IT JUST PEELED BACK. I HAVE THE METAL PIECE SHOWN IN THE PIC ATTACHED. THE END OF THAT PIECE OF METAL LANDED ON MY RIGHT FOREARM; GLAD I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
Engine, Feb 21, 2020
VEHICLE I BURNING OIL(NOT LEAKING) AND KIA DEALER AND KIA HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEIR POLICY IS NOT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE UNTIL THE ENGINE BLOWS (MUST SHOW THE PROPER FAULT CODE). IT IS SMOKING AND THE BURNING SMELL HAS BEEN THERE FOR 3+ MONTHS. RETURNED TO DEALER 3 WKS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE SAME. I'M TOLD THE ENGINE HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY, BUT THAT WON'T MATTER IF THE CAR CATCHES FIRE AND THEN MY INSURANCE HAS TO PAY, NOT KIA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. MULTIPLE R.O.'S ON PROBLEM WITH RICK CASE KIA AT GWINNETT PLACE IN DULUTH, GA. 770-476-2800