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, Feb 15, 2019
SHORTLY AFTER THE ANALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE STARTED SURGING AND THEN DIED WHEN I SLOWED FOR A TURN. I PUT THE CARE IN PARK, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT DIED AGAIN. I TRIED AGAIN WITH PARK, RESTART AND THEN DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT. I FOUND RECALL SC106 ON LINE BUT THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THIS FOR MY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Feb 14, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - OCS MAT PASSENGER FRONT SEAT- AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT - KIA SAID IT IS NOT A DEFECT HOWEVER I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1950.00 TO FIX IT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 12, 2019
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THIS BANGING NOISE STARTED WHICH FELT LIKE WE HIT SOMETHING OR AN OBJECT THE ROAD (JUST ONE BIG BANG NOISE). THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WE TOOK IT THE AAA AND THEY SERVICED IT AND MADE SOME REPAIRS TO IT AND REPLACED SOME PARTS. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND NOW (FEB 2019), I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND IT CAME BACK AND HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY. UPON RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, I AM HERE ON THIS SITE TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS FOR THESE ISSUES. NOW, I DO NOT WANT OUR CAR TO CATCH FIRE SINCE I'VE READ A FEW PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THIS HORRIFYING PREDICAMENT. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? WILL KIA TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENED? IT SEEMS TO BE CASE WITH THESE RECALLS, SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAS TO HAPPEN.
Engine, Feb 9, 2019
MY 20 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2012 KIA SORENTO ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND LOST ACCELERATION (HE WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT IT FELT LIKE IT WASN'T DOING ANYTHING.) THE KNOCKING NOISE CONTINUED AND GREW LOUDER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A NEARBY GARAGE, AND THE MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT IT SAID THE CRANK BEARING WAS BAD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. HE SAID REPLACING IT WOULD $5,000 OR MORE. HE SAID REPAIRING LIKELY WOULDN'T BE AN OPTION BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN OTHER KIAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE ENGINES WERE FULL OF METAL PIECES. AFTER RESEARCHING, I LEARNED OF THE RECALL FOR 2012 KIA SORENTOS FOR THIS VERY REASON, BUT MY SON'S VIN ISN'T LISTED, AND IT OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. IT WAS MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE BEFORE, SO WE KNOW IT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE SINCE THE BEGINNING. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS STAYED IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD, IT IS NOW IN MY SON'S NAME SO THE WARRANTY DOESN'T APPLY. PLEASE ADD THIS VEHICLE TO THE RECALL! I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN WRITING FROM THE MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL THERE AND I CAN GET THAT IF NEEDED.
Engine, Feb 8, 2019
ALL THIS HAPPENED ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 2018. MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO VISIT FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAY, WHEN THE ENGINE OUT OF NO WHERE MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THEN STARTED KNOCKING. IT WAS LIKE I IMMEDIATELY LOST A LOT OF POWER OF THE ENGINE AND IT WAS HARD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. IT DIED AND WHEN RESTARTED IT WAS KNOCKING AND BARELY WANTED TO GO. WE DROVE IT 4 MILES TO THE EXIT AND PARKED IT AT A BK FOR THE NIGHT. WE GOT IT TOWED BACK TO OUR HOUSE 40 MILES AWAY. INITIALLY HAD THOUGHT THE TIMING CHAIN BUT LATER FOUND OUT IT THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT HAD METAL FLAKES AND SHAVINGS ALONG WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE CAMSHAFT. WE WERE TOLD BY KIA THAT OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS ONLY FOR ORIGINAL OWNERS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2012. THE VEHICLE IS JUST OVER 100K MILES.I STILL OWE ABOUT $8000 LEFT ON THE CAR. ENGINE REPLACEMENT QUOTES ABOUT $3000 BUT I FEAR PUTTING IN A NEW MOTOR THE SAME PROBLEM COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN AGAIN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 98K+ MILES ON IT FROM STEVENS CREEK SUBARU. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY RECALLS NOR ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS WEEK, I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE IN THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE EVERY TIME I BRAKED. ITS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HITTING PIECE OF PLASTIC. IT HASN'T CHANGED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR THAT I CAN EASILY TELL. HOWEVER, THIS EVENING, MY MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS NOT TURNING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE I DROVE OFF THE LOT, BUT GIVEN IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE WASHER FLUID, I'M NOT CONVINCED IT WAS SERVICED PROPERLY. I'M ALSO NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT EASILY WHEN I AM NEEDING TO PICK-UP SPEED WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THE SHIFT TRANSITION ISN'T SMOOTH. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HEAT FEATURE ON THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT WORK - IT WORKED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND MY BROTHER SOUTHBOUND ON THE 101 FREEWAY NEAR TEMPE, AZ ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:20AM WHEN WE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OVER OUR HEADS AND SAW GLASS RAINING DOWN THROUGH THE OVERHEAD VISOR AND OFF THE BACK OF THE CAR. STUNNED AND SHOCKED, I CAREFULLY MADE MY WAY ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY MORNING TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND INSPECT THE DAMAGE. THE ENTIRE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED, LEAVING JAGGED GLASS PARTICLES OVER THE TOP AND INSIDE THE SUNROOF MECHANISM, AS WELL AS INSIDE MY CAR. I'M GRATEFUL MY TWO CHILDREN WEREN'T SITTING IN BACK OR THEY MAY HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE SPRAYING GLASS! WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT AVERAGE HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DURING A COOL, CLOUDY DAY. IT WAS ABOUT 55 DEGREES AND THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY OR DEBRIS ON THE ROAD THAT MORNING. I NEVER NOTED PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE ROOF AND WAS TRAVELING WITH THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHUT THAT MORNING. THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE THAT VERY WELL COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'M FURIOUS TO FIND SO MANY REPORTS OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRING! RECALLS MUST BE MADE AND A BETTER SOLUTION NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE!
Engine, Jan 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD AUTO MALL (937-783-7030, LOCATED AT 1501 HILLCREST AVE, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45504). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2019
TAMARA RECALL: WHILE DRIVING ON BRIARCLIFF WAY IN ATLANTA, GA 30345 ON 8/5/18 GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH MY ENGINE MADE A LOUD POP SOUND AND BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART CAR; CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TOW CAR TO ED VOYLES KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHAMBLEE GA. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS DUE TO 'BROKEN TONE WHEEL INSIDE ENGINE CAME APART' ; ALLEGEDLY FIXED IT BY REPLACING ENGINE; SINCE SERVICE I HAVE BROUGHT 2012 SORENTO BACK TO ED VOYLES DUE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMING BACK ON IN WHICH ED VOYLES JUST TURNS IT OFF STATING; 'WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF IT BURNING OUT PREMATURELY. I BOUGHT ANOTHER BULB TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THE OLD BULB WAS STILL GOOD. THE NEW BULB WAS PUT IN TO VERIFY THAT WASN'T THE ISSUE. THE AUTO PARTS STORE CHECKED THE FUSES AND ALL ARE OK.
Engine, Jan 19, 2019
LAST FRIDAY I WAS ON MY WAY GOING TO WORK AND I STOPPED AT THE STOPLIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I GAVE IT GAS I NOTICED A LITTLE KNOCKING FOR MY ENGINE IN THE FIRST GEAR THE ONCE THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED AND WENT IN THE OTHER GEARS IT GOES SMOOTH ONLY WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND FIRST TAKE OFF THE BEARINGS IN MY MOTOR IS KNOCKING
Engine, Jan 18, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOW KNOCKING NOISE THEN IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND WOULDN'T TURN OVER ANYMORE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR. I DIDN'T GET ANY WARNING OTHER THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND LIGHTS WENT ON MY DASH, THEN STOPPED. I CALLED KIA SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE, SHE SAID THAT MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY. SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND NO CAR.
Engine, Jan 17, 2019, fire
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE STALLED. AS I MADE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER AND CAME TO A STOP I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. ONCE I CAME TO A STOP I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. AS SOON AS I CAME TO A STOP I GOT OUT. WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVERS DOOR THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. BY THE TIME THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS GOT THE THERE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2019, fire
KIA RECALL. ON MAY 22, 2014, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AT THIS TIME, BUT NOW IT IS COMING TO SURFACE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE.
Engine, Jan 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AFTERWARDS, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ALL POWER WAS LOST, INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE DOWN AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND OIL SPILLED OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA (9929 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (844) 755-6461). THE DEALER CALLED BACK THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT OVER $1,400 FOR LABOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH THE PHONE NUMBER TO A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2019
ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO, WHILE CRUISING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF APPX 55 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, TOTALLY LOST POWER. DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS OPERABLE. ON THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, I MANAGED TO STEER CAR ONTO SHOULDER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, CAR RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT. LATER ON THE EVENING OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, SOMETIME IN 2016, I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN THE FOB AND THOUGHT THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AFTER SECOND INCIDENT (3/5/17), I TOOK CAR TO HERSON'S KIA IN ROCKVILLE, MD. THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT (12/12/18), I TOOK IT BACK TO HERSON'S KIA. THEY CHECKED AND SAW THAT A RECALL PROCEDURE (SC 106) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON AN EARLIER VISIT. THEY AGAIN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH AGAIN REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IF THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS THIRD INCIDENT WAS PRETTY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE CENTER LANE OF A FIVE-LANE HIGHWAY, SO I COULDN'T PULL OVER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SITUATION THAT COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING. ALTHOUGH MY WEB RESEARCH FINDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER 2010--2013 KIA SORENTOS,, KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.
Engine, Jan 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SOUTH SHORE KIA (1128 SUNRISE HWY, COPIAGUE, NY 11726, (631) 991-3910) AND THEY STATED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION WAS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12995434. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine, Jan 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART PER EVERY 600 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF LAUREL (14921 BALTIMORE AVE, LAUREL, MARYLAND), BUT NO FAILURE WAS LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE) IN 2016 AND THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Structure, Engine, Dec 29, 2018, fire
ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Dec 27, 2018
VEHICLE HAS STARTED CONSUMING HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL AS IT PASSED 90,000 MILES. RECEIVED AN OIL LOW LIGHT AND NEEDED TO ADD 3.5 QUARTS OF OIL. TOOK TO A KI DEALERSHIP WHO NOTED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS, BUT PLUGS WERE BURNING WHITE. KIA CORPORATE FORCES THE DEALER TO INSTALL KNOCK DETECTION SENSOR UPDATE WHICH VOIDS ALL PREVIOUS ENGINE RECALLS. IN THE PAST, HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS ENOUGH TO LEAD TO ENGINE REPLACEMENT BY PREVIOUS RECALL INFORMATION. NOW HOWEVER KI CLAIMS THAT ONCE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS UPDATED ALL PREVIOUS ENGINE RECALLS ARE VOID AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS NO LONGER A VALID REASON EVEN WHEN COMBINED WITH ENGINE WEAR. A USER MUST NOW HAVE MULTIPLE SENSOR FAILURES OR ENGINE FAILURE, AND EXPECT TO MONITOR OIL EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR HANDS ARE TIED DUE TO REQUESTS BY KIA CORPORATION.
Engine, Dec 19, 2018
RESTRICT OIL FLOW TO THE BEARINGS CAUSING BEARING WEAR. A WORN CONNECTING ROD BEARING WILL PRODUCE A CYCLIC KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND DRIVING IN A CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY
Engine, Dec 19, 2018
ENGINE HAS ROD KNOCK
Service brakes, Engine, Dec 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE ENGINE SPRAYED OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA (9929 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (844) 755-6461). THE DEALER WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO DETERMINE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAULTY ENGINES THAT WERE SHIPPED FROM KOREA; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,337.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 12, 2018
DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, AIR BAG LIGHT IS TURNED ON AFTER REPLACING BATTERY IN CAR, AND CAR WON'T PASS SMOG BECAUSE O2 SENSOR READINESS AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORS WON'T SHOW READY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND CAR IS NOT PULLING ANY ERROR CODES, BOTH UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AIR FILTERS CHANGED, AND FUEL SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AND STILL DID NOTHING TO MAKE THE MONITORS SHOW READY
Engine, Dec 6, 2018
WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO TURN ONLY LANE HEADED FOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR JUST SEIZED UP AND STALLED OUT. I GLIDED TO STOP AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED IT BACK ON. I ACCELERATED ONTO ON RAMP OF HIGHWAY AND IT SEIZED UP AGAIN COMPLETELY STALLING. WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVELS THERE WAS HAD NONE, MY HUSBAND BROUGHT ME 4 QUARTS OF OIL (ALWAYS FOLLOWED DEALERSHIP PROTOCOL ON OIL CHANGES), TRIED ENGINE AGAIN NOTHING. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY REMOVED AND DISSEMBLED THE ENGINE TO FIND POINT OF FAILURE. FOUND #1 AND #4 CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS TO HAVE SPUN AND WELDED THEM SELF TO THE CRANK SHAFT, ALSO FOUND #2 AND #3 TO BE WORN DOWN/CHEWED UP, FOUND BEARING DEBRIS IN THE OIL PAN AND THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND ALL NEEDED SEALS AND GASKETS.