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, Oct 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL, BATTERY, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO SCOTT HARVEY KIA (LOCATED AT 1710 N OLDEN AVE, EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ 08638, (866) 548-4303) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LONG OR SHORT BLOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Engine, Oct 15, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN MY 2012 KIA SORENTO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO A STOP. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD SEIZED DUE TO MECHANICAL DEBRIS IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL REGARDLESS OF ENGINE TYPE, BUT ONLY THE GDI ENGINE WAS RECALLED. MY SPECIFIC ENGINE WAS NOT RECALLED AND I WOULD BE LEFT TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENGINE FIXED DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE NOT OF MY CAUSING. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM FOUND WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIA SORENTOS 2011-2013 WHETHER THEY ARE A GDI ENGINE OR THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE I HAVE. WHY WERE NOT ALL ENGINE TYPES RECALLED IF ALL ENGINE TYPES HAVE THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE?
Engine, Oct 12, 2019, fire
THERE WERE PREMATURE ENGINE BARRING WEAR WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SEIZE AND BLOW A ROD OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WHICH STARTED A SMALL FIRE. I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON WHEN I GOT TO ON RAMP IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STALLED THEN PEOPLE YELLED GET OUT CAUSE THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF MY CAR. POLICE INCIDENT REPORT NUMBER [XXX] TRP. HARRISON 616-403-0698 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 11, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES , NO BEEPING WHEN PASSENGER SITTING AND CAR MOVING,
Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2019
MY WINDSHIELD-WASHING SYSTEM IS NOT SPRAYING WATER ONTO EITHER THE WINDSHIELD OR THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ORIGINAL MESH IN THE PUMP FILTER SCREEN IS SO FINE THAT IT BECOMES CLOGGED BY WASHER FLUID. A NEW, COARSER MESH IS AVAILABLE, AT A REPLACEMENT COST TO ME OF APPROXIMATELY $185. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. THE PART IS NOT DEFECTIVE, BROKEN, OR WORN-OUT. INSTEAD, IT WAS NOT SUITED TO CARRYING OUT ITS PURPOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE SITUATION IS CLEARLY THE RESULT OF FAULTY DESIGN. I CAN TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT THE INABILITY TO CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD ON-THE-MOVE WHEN NECESSARY IS WITHOUT QUESTION A SAFETY CONCERN. IT IS PARTICULARLY ACUTE AT NIGHT, BUT IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM AT OTHER TIMES. FOR THE MOMENT, I MUST CARRY CLEANING SUPPLIES AND MUST SOMETIMES STOP THE VEHICLE TO CLEAN THE GLASS SO THAT I MAY SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THIS TOO ENTAILS THE RISK OF BEING STRUCK IF, FOR EXAMPLE, I AM ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I CAN AFFORD TO REPLACE THE SCREEN. BUT MANY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF PROBLEM THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
AT APPROXIMATELY 123K MILES, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A KIA SERVICE DIAGNOSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEED AN OCS MAT REPLACEMENT, PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THE COST IS $2,700. AFTER REVIEWING MANY CONSUMER WEBSITES, I SEE THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS STARTING THE CAR AND NEVER WENT OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A NATIONWIDE ISSUE WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING. (I HAVE A RECALL LETTER, BUT IT IS FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING.)
Engine, Sep 29, 2019
AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 4 QUARTS LOW. I DID OIL CHANGES REGULARLY BEFORE THIS (EVERY 6 MONTHS / 5,000 MILES). THE ENGINE CONSUMED (BURNED?) 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES. NOW AT 93,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE ENGINE IS BURNING 1 QUART EVERY 500 MILES.
Engine, Sep 27, 2019
THE ENGINE STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART WHILE DRIVING, IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 30MPH.
Engine, Sep 23, 2019
SUDDENLY AT 95000 MILES ENGINE STARTED TO USE OIL BUT IT'S NOT BURNING IT OR ANY LEAKING FROM ENGINE. I HAVE TO CHECK OIL WEEKLY AND WILL NEED A QUART EVER 800 TO 1000 MILES. AFTER READING MANY POSTS ON THIS SUBJECT ALL ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS WE ARE. KIA WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AND TERRIBLE ENGINE DESIGN. THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Sep 21, 2019
MY KIA SORENTO HAS HAD THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR GO OUT TWICE IN TWO YEARS. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IS CHANGED WHEN SUPPOSED TO BE AND STILL THIS IS THE SECOND TIME DRIVING IT HAS DONE THIS ON A CITY STREET.
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!
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2019
THE REAR BREAK LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS FAIL CONSISTENTLY. THEY HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. ON OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT POWERS BACK ON AFTER THE REAR HOUSING HAS BEEN MOVED. IN INCIDENTS WHEN THE LIGHT HAS FAILED, THERE IS A BURN MARK ON THE OUTER CONTACT PORTION OF THE BULB. THIS AFFECTS ALL LEVELS OF DRIVING AS YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF NEARLY INVISIBLE AND GIVE ZERO INDICATION OF STOPPING TO VEHICLES AROUND YOU.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2019
I USE SPEED CONTROL OFTEN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO SET. I NEVER REPORTED IT BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD COST A FORTUNE FOR THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY PART OF AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT NO LONGER WORKS. I WENT TO ADJUST THE VOLUME OF PHONE CALL FROM STEERING WHEEL AND THE IT DISCONNECTED THE CALL. WENT TO TURN VOLUME UP FOR THE RADIO FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VOLUME WENT DOWN.
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2019
2012 KIA SORENTO, HAD ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BLOWING. ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. THEY SAID PRONGS NEEDED TO BE SPREAD. THE LIGHT BLEW AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEN THEY REPLACED THE HARNESS. THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND MADE IT SOUND LIKE THEY DID ME A FAVOR FIXING IT FOR FREE. FAST FORWARD A YEAR AND I START HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WILL DIAGNOSE FOR $150 AND IF IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS IT WILL COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $300. IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESSES THEY DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSE BUT IT STILL COST $250. I TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE HEADLIGHT. THEY DIDN'T CARE BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING IT IN EVERY TIME THE BULBS BLEW TO PAY $20 TO REPLACE THE BULBS. GOT IT REPAIRED 5/2019 NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2019
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA MOTORS STATING THAT I NEED TO BRING IN MY 2012 SORENTO IN TO HAVE THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" CHECKED AS MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS ILLUMINATED. I BROUGHT IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NOT THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" BUT THE OCS MAT THAT IS DEFECTIVE ( CODE B1764 ) AND WOULD COST ME $2640 TO REPLACE...I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM "MIGHT NOT" FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED...WHY IS THE OCS MAT NOT A RECALL MATTER AS IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY ARE FAILING MISERABLY...VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON CONTINUALLY...
Air bags, Sep 10, 2019
I TOO HAVE THE PROBLEM OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON OUT OF THE BLUE; NO ACCIDENTS.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2019
UNDER THE RECALL, A FUEL LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THE SAME LEAK IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN WITHIN 7 MONTHS. DEALER SLOW TO CALL BACK AND ARRANGE AN INSPECTION. CANNOT DRIVE CAR AS IT IS UNSAFE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO REMAIN IN THEIR HEADLIGHT SOCKETS. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE LOOSE AND HANGING OFF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT HEADLIGHT COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.