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.
Power train, Jul 31, 2018
CAR CAN SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT BREAKS BEING ENGAGED. I CAN MOVE MY GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE WITHOUT PUSHING MY BREAK. THIS INCLUDES WITH MY CAR RUNNING OR NOT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 27, 2018
THE BREAK LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC AND DOWNHILL BREAKING CONTROL DHC LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ALERTED TO THE BREAK LIGHT ISSUE WHEN I WAS STOPPED BY A FORT WORTH POLICE OFFICER. I TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY CHECKING THE BREAK LIGHT BULBS (THEY WERE GOOD), THE FUSES WERE ALL GOOD. I REPLACED THE BREAK SWITCH WITH ON BOUGHT FROM O'REILLY AUTO PARTS. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE SWITCH WAS BAD, SO I RETURNED THAT SWITCH AND CHANGED IT AGAIN BUT STILL THE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK. I TOOK IT TO SOUTHWEST KIA IN MESQUITE AND WAS CHARGE $312.95 TO FIX A $19.41 PART: ANOTHER BREAK SWITCH. I FOUND THIS PREPOSTEROUS. AS I WAS WAITING IN THE WAITING ROOM I LOOKED UP KIA RECALLS AND I FOUND THAT PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE AND THAT 2012 AND OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL...
Engine, Jul 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BOB SIGHT INDEPENDENCE KIA, 1700 S NOLAND ROAD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 19, 2018, fire
I WAS DRIVING A 2012 KIA SORENTO WITH THREE OTHER PASSENGERS AND OUR FAMILY DOG. I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF MY CAR THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR PASSING ME SINCE MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH A NEW ENGINE AND NEW TRANSMISSION. I LOOK AGAIN THERE IS NO CAR GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY AND NOW I SEE A LOT MORE SMOKE. CARS COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY ARE FLASHING ME AND WAVING SO I FIGURED I'M PROBABLY OVER HEATING. I STEER TO THE RIGHT ON A STEEP HILL THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK I QUICKLY THROW IT INTO PARK THE GEARS ARE GONE SO NO PARK. AT THAT POINT WE SEE FLAMES SHOOTING AT US. MY DAUGHTER AND I OPEN OUR DOORS THE CAR IS SLOWLY ROLLING DOWN THE HILL, THE DOOR HITS HER SHE GOES FLYING THE CAR ALMOST RUNS HER OVER. I TAKE THE CAR AND I'M HOLDING THE 4,000 POUND CAR BACK FROM ROLLING DOWN THE HILL SO THE KIDS AND DOG IN THE BACK SEAT CAN GET OUT. THEY FINALLY FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, GRABBED THE DOG BY THE COLLAR. I LET GO OF THE CAR IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND STARTED TO EXPLODE. WHAT A HORRIFYINGLY EXPERIENCE.
Engine, Jul 19, 2018, fire
I HAVE ONLY RECENTLY SEEN ARTICLES REGARDING THE HYUNDAI/KIA ENGINES CATCHING FIRE. I HAD A 2012 KIA SORENTO THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE IN 2014 HENCE TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TRIED FOR YEARS TO DISCUSS THIS WITH PEOPLE BUT SINCE IT WASNT AN ACTIVE RECALL NO ONE WOULD PURSUE THE CASE. ON MAY 22, 2014, MY DETAILER WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND TO MOVE IT AND THE WHOLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. OBVIOUSLY I DO NOT STILL OWN THIS VEHICLE BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS.
Engine, Jul 18, 2018
I STARTED EXPERIENCING STALLING ISSUES IN APRIL 2018, HAD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM INSPECT IT AND I WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE BATTERY. I CHANGED BOTH AND THE THE MOTOR RAN FINE FOR AROUND 3000 MILES. I WAS DRIVONG DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING, OIL LAMP OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START UP AFTER STALLING. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY BROTHER'S HOUSE, TRIED TO START IT A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEN IT CRANKED OVER THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SCREACHING SOUND FOLLOWED BY KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE. TOWED THE CAR INTO KIA IN WACO AND THEY HAVE DENIED REPAIRS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I RECIEVED THE RUN AROUND REGARDING WHAT EXACTLY IS BROKEN. THE ONLY ANSWER I GET IS "WE KNOW ITS GOT BROKEN PARTS ONSODE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT." I BELIEVE THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN PERFORM AN INSPECTION, JUST DENIED BASED ON NOT RECALLED UNDER VIN. KIA SENT ME AN INTERIM NOTICE AS WELL AS ANOTHER NOTICE STATING MY ENGINE WILL BE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS AND 120K MILES DIE TO THE ENGINE BEARING CLEARANCE ISSUE. KIA DOESN'T HAVE A RECORD OF NOTIFIED VEHICLE OWNERS AMD IS TELLING ME I'M LYING BY SAYING I RECIEVED ANY NOTIFICATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RECORD. ITS ALREADY BEEN PROVEN THAT KIA HAS HID THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS. I WAS QUOTED $7300 FOR AN ENGINE WITHOUT LABOR.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 18, 2018
MY VEHICLE IS CONSUMING OIL. EVERY 1000 MILES I AM HAVING TO TOP IT OFF TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING DANGEROUSLY LOW AND SEIZING UP. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A LEAK SO IT IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO SLUGGISH UPON ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES THE RPM GAUGE IS A ZERO WHEN I AM DRIVING AT 40 PLUS SPEEDS.. PRESENTLY I AM THE KIA DEALER IS CONDUCTING AN OIL COMSUMPTION TEST. I WILL UPLOAD RESULTS.
Engine, Jul 16, 2018, fire
JUNE 23 DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY POPPING NOISECOMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE UNDER THE CAR RED ENGINE SYMBOL COMES ON IN THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER OF DASH IMMEDIATELY BEGIN GETTING OVER SECOND POPPING OCCURS WITHIN 10-15 SECONDS RED OIL LAMP LIGHT COMES ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF DASHBOARD SMOKING FROM VEHICLE HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY GET TO SIDE OF FREEWAY ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF CAR RESTARTS ATTEMPT AGAIN TURNS OFF IMMEDIATELY GET OUT OF CAR AND RUN TOWARDS GOOD SAMARITAN WHO WITNESSES ENTIRE THING STOPS AND STAYS WITH ME ENTIRE TIME 911 CALLED ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLS OVER AS FRONT OF VEHICLE IS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL FIRE TRUCKS AND FREEWAY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COME WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF INCIDENT EXTINGUISH FRONT OF MY VEHICLE VEHICLE TOWED IN MOTION AT BEGINNING ON FREEWAY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT ON SIDE OF FREEWAY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V224 MAY AND OCTOBER 2017 JUST HAD 105,000 MILE MAINTENANCE DONE AT RALLY KIA ON JUNE 11 COULD NOT UPLOAD PICTURES SAID FILE MUST BE ONE OF THE TYPES SPECIFIED ABOVE. AM I ABLE TO SEND THEM VIA ANOTHER WAY?
Engine, Jul 15, 2018
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE 10 EAST FROM CALIFORNIA HEADING HOME TO PHOENIX, AZ ON JUNE 14TH. AT APPROX. 12:30PM PST AT A CRUISING SPEED OF 75 MPH WE APPROACHED THE LONG STEP HILL AND HALF WAY UP THE HILL THE ENGINE CEASED. WE WERE DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE AND THE RIGHT LANE HAD MANY SEMI- TRAILER TRUCKS PASSING US. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT THE SORENTO WITH NO ENGINE POWER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SAFETY SHOULDER- THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SITUATION WITH MY WIFE, ME AND MY 11 YEAR DAUGHTER AS FATALITIES SINCE LOSING POWER UP FILL AS SEMI-TRAILER TRUCKS PASS YOU BY IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PERILOUS. WE HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE KIA TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN BERMUDA DUNES. HIS ANALYSIS WAS THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK OVER/NO SIGNS OF OVER HEATING, BATTER LEVELS IN GOOD CONDITION, AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED. WE HAD TO TOW THE SORENTO ON JUNE 15TH TO PALM SPRINGS KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR HAS BEEN UP TO THIS REPORT'S WRITING JULY 15TH -- ONE FULL MONTH. KIA PALM SPRINGS RAN THEIR TEST AND SAID THE ENGINE DID CEASE UP BUT NO "SLUDGE" IN THE OIL HENCE NO OIL ISSUES. WHEN I ASKED FOR THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT- MONICA AT PALM SPRINGS KIA SAID THERE WAS NO REPORT AVAILABLE FOR ME TO REVIEW.. MONICA ENTERED A " GOOD WILL SERVICE CASE" FOR ME . I HAD TO CONTACT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES BEFORE FINALLY AN ESCALATED AFFAIR MANAGER LYLE CLARK SAID KIA MOTORS INC. WILL NOT BE OFFERING ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE ENGINE OR ANY HELP AND THAT BASICALLY I HAVE TO TAKE UP MY CASE WITH PALM SPRINGS KIA-- WHO BY THE WAY ADVISED I CONTACT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN THE FIRST PLACE. NO OWNERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY OR COMPASSION BY KIA. MANY KIA ENGINES ARE CEASING AND ONE DAY FATALITIES WILL HAPPEN. NOW I HAVE A BROKEN KIA IN PALM SPRINGS AND THE TERRIBLE FEELING OF BEING DISMISSED BY KIA AND THEY ONLY WANT ME TO FIX IT SO THEY CAN GET PAID FOR THIS INDIGNITY.
Suspension, Jul 15, 2018
FRONT LEFT SPRING CRACKED. CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR RESIDENTIAL USE ON PAVED ROADS, UNDER 50K MILES. THE KIA DEALERSHIP NEVER FOUND THE ISSUE DURING ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, MAVIS DISCUNT TIRE STORE FOUND THE PROBLEM WHILE CHANGING TIRES.
Engine, Jul 3, 2018
2012 KIA SORENTO -SIMILAR TO OTHERS, OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RATTLING NOISE HEARD DURING ACCELERATION. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME MAIN REAR SEAL BLOWN. CALLED KIA AND LEARNED MY ENGINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. AFTER READING OTHER REPORTS, SEEMS LIKE KIA MAY NEED TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE OTHER ENGINES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME.
Structure, Jun 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WAS LOOSE AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM OPENING. TEAM KIA OF BEND (611 NE PURCELL BLVD, BEND, OR 97701) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WEATHERSTRIPPING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 11/27/18*JB
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 15, 2018
I HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, ONE OF THEM IS THAT MY CAR MADE A BIG RATTLE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH IN THE STREET, I CALL KIA MADE AN APPOINTMENT TOOK THE CAR AND WHEN THEY GOT BACK TO ME THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE NEED IT TO BE REPLACE ($500) THEN THE STARTED ($600) I HAVE REPLACE THIS 2 TIMES ALREADY, THEN THE DRIVE BELT IDLER PULLEY AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF VERY OFTEN, AND SO ON. MAKE STORY SHORT MY CAR WAS IN THE SAFETY RECALL, MY CAR AS SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS, RATTLE NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF THE DASHBOARD I HAVE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS CAR BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I RECEIVED A SECOND SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 17V224 ON OCTOBER 17, 2017. AND THEN ANOTHER NOTICE FROM KIA SAYING THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR TO 120,000 MILES. ON MY POINT OF VIEW THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Jun 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER (CRAIN KIA OF SHERWOOD, 5830 WARDEN RD, SHERWOOD, AR 72120, (501) 542-6042) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE GOODWILL ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S HIGH MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TT *TR
Air bags, Jun 9, 2018
THE AIRBAG LIGJT CAME ON AND STAYED THEN IT CUT OFF BUT IT WAS NEVER IN A ACCIDENT AND NOTHING ELSE HAS CAME ON HAVE YOU HEARD OF MALFUNCTION
Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2018
THE PUSH BUTTON TO OPEN THE GAS TANK DOOR CONTINUOUSLY HAS PROBLEMS ACTIVATING TO OPEN THE DOOR. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES RIGOURSLY TO ENGAGE THE UNLOCK MECHANISM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY OTHER SORENTO OWNERS THEY TOO ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Jun 5, 2018, crash
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO AND AS HE EXITED THE FREEWAY TO THE SERVICE ROAD AND APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION WHICH WAS ON AN UPHILL GRADE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. HE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL ON THE CAR. THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE CAR BEHIND HIM AND COLLIDED WITH THE CAR RESULTING IN $1,820 DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR. THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND THREW A ROD INTO THE VEHICLE STARTER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 31, 2018
MY FRONT "LOW BEAM" HEAD LAMPS GO OUT FREQUENTLY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I HAVE JUST CONTINUED TO BUY NEW LIGHTS, REPLACE & DO OVER & OVER. FINALLY IT NO LONGER WORKED. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT & THE CONNECTOR AND SOME WIRING WAS MELTED. I PAID TO HAVE THIS FIXED, ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN 2 - 3 WEEKS LATER. I JUST HAD IT FIXED AGAIN, BUT AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR! 1ST ENGINE FAILED WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD @ 45 MPH... IT COULD HAVE ENDED FAR WORSE. THAT HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT MY WIRING/HEADLAMPS ARE A HUGE PROBLEM & CONCERN. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHTS MORE TIMES IN THE PAST 5 YEARS THAN I HAVE IN 20 YEARS I'VE OWNED MY 1998 CAMRY. THIS HAS TO FALL UNDER A RECALL TO BE FIXED BY KIA. IT'S DEFECTIVE PARTS & ASSEMBLY AND COULD BE FATAL! THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SLAM INTO A DEER. I HAVE EVEN RENTED A CAR WHEN DRIVING ON VACATION FOR FEAR OF MY CAR HAVING THIS MALFUNCTION OR WORSE. PLEASE HELP ME. MY FAMILY IS SURVIVING ON BASICALLY 1 INCOME & THIS NEWEST HURDLE IS THAT " PROVERBIAL STRAW"... DATE LISTED BELOW IS TODAY'S DATE OF THE MOST RECENT REPAIR. I CAN GET THE DATE ABOUT 3 WEEK'S AGO IF YOU NEED IT. I HAVE ALSO BOUGHT ALL OF THE HEADLAMPS AND BRAKE LIGHTS THAT I HAVE REPLACED FROM THE SAME AUTO SUPPLY STORE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. SO I CAN GET THOSE RECORDS AS WELL IF NEEDED.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 28, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A NOISE WHEN I BRINGING IT TO A STOP AND MY TIRES START GOING TO THE LEFT ALSO IT HAS NO TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR LIGHT FLASHING BUT I CAN FEEL THATS THERES SOMETHING WRONG ALSO WHEN I PARK IT MOVES A LITTLE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON SO THAT IT WONT BOUNCE INTO GEAR AND MOVE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Engine and engine cooling, May 24, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED TO INDICATE AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN AUGUST OF 2017 AT THE DEALER (RAY SKILLMAN SHADELAND KIA & MITSUBISHI, 1300 SHADELAND AVE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219). THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO KIA'S WARRANTY DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MENTOR KIA IN MENTOR, OHIO, 440-953-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TT
Electrical system, Engine, May 20, 2018
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPED. WHEN IT STALLS IN MOTION, THERE IS NO STEERING OR BRAKES. AWD KICKS IN FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AND BOTH THE MAP SENSOR AND VCMA ACTUATOR WERE BOTH REPLACED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. I DID HAVE A TUNE UP ON THE VEHICLE ONE DAY PRIOR SO I HAD HOPED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM RESUMED ONE DAY AFTER BRINGING HOME FROM SHOP. I CALLED KIA AFTER SEEING THERE WAS A RECALL IN MAY OF 2017 THAT COVERED CERTAIN SORENTO MODELS THAT WERE STALLING, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MINE WAS NOT A PART OF THIS RECALL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW OTHER THAN TO TAKE IT TO KIA AND SPEND ENORMOUS AMOUNTS IN REPAIRS.
Engine, May 18, 2018
MY CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP CERTAIN IT HAD TO BE THE ENGINE SAFETY RECALL. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT, BLAMED THE ISSUE ON SOMETHING ELSE AND CHARGED ME OVER $1,000 TO FIX IT. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AGAIN. THE NEXT MORNING, IT STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN CITY ROAD. I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND THEN IT DIED. KIA IS PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIVES AT RISK.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, May 15, 2018, fire
EXISTED THE FREEWAY, STOPPED AT 2 STOP LIGHTS WITH OTHER CARS WITH NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE. STARTED FORWARD FROM LIGHT 100+ YARDS AND MAYBE 20 MPH WHEN FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH LARGE FLAMES. I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIRE BURNED FROM MOTOR COMPARTMENT INTO DASH AND CEILING OF PASSENGER AREA. VEHICLE IS TOTALED! THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED BY KIA ON A RECALL JUST 5 MONTHS AGO. ONLY ABOUT 9000 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE!
Engine, May 12, 2018
116,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 2K MILES SINCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. NO MATTER HOW MANY ENGINE FLUSHES AND ENGINE CLEANERS I USE IT BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY. YESTERDAY I DROVE 1 BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE BEFORE REALIZING THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING BEYOND 20 MILES PER HOUR. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT WON'T REACH MORE THAN 2 ON THE RPM DIAL.