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.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2017
NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE IS FROZEN AT THE STARTUP SCREEN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS ONLY 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE NAV DISPLAY UNIT. IN MY CASE THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT SENSOR ITS ON, THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON 2015 BUT KNOW ALMOST 5 YEARS AND 81K ARE NOT COVERING IT. SAYING ITS NON SECURITY ISSUE
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2017
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON A NICE DAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. HAD NO WARNING . LUCKILY I HAD THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED SO WE DIDN'T HAVE GLASS RAINING DOWN . BUT IT WAS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 77K MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IN SEEING POSTINGS ONLINE.
Engine, Aug 21, 2017
KIA SORENTO ENGINE RECALL - MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 6/17 DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THEY CALLED ME TO PICK UP MY CAR ON 8/19. AFTER EXITING THE LOT, I CONTINUED TO HEAR THE METAL GRINDING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AREA TO THE RIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, ADDITIONAL NOISES COULD BE HEARD IN THE REAR AXLE AND AN EXTREMELY TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ASKED THAT I RETURN THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT ON MONDAY MORNING, 8/21 AND WAITED 3 HOURS WHILE THEY CHECKED THE CAR. THE MANAGER THEN INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING SHAFT WHICH WOULD COST ME $518. MY CAR DID NOT HAVE A TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN I LAST DROVE IT BEFORE BEING TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP LOT. THE TECHNICIANS HAD TO PULL MY CAR APART TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND ADJUSTED MY STEERING SHAFT, WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. IN ADDITION, KIA ALSO OWES ME OVER $900 FOR A PREVIOUS REPAIR AND TWO EXPENSES THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED ON 6/21. AS I CONTINUE TO KEEP A LOG OF ALL MY CALLS TO KIA AND THE DEALER TO MAKE MY CASE AGAINST THE COMPANY. THE CAR HAS NOT IMPROVED WITH A REFURBISHED ENGINE, IT HAS BECOME WORSE, WHICH PLACES ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I HAVE GIVEN ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO MY ATTORNEY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE COMPANY AND WITH THE NECESSARY REGULATORY BODY. MY CAR WAS WORKING EFFICIENTLY BEFORE BREAKING DOWN AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED AND MY CAR FIXED OR REPLACED.
Engine, Aug 16, 2017, fire
ON 08/10/12017 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON I-40. I HEARD A "RATTLING NOISE" FROM THE ENGINE. AS I SLOWED DOWN THE SOUND GOT LOUDER. I TURNED ON A SIDE STREET INTO A SAFE AREA AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW 2 SMALL PATCHES OF FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT, THEN RAN TO A BEST WESTERN HOTEL AND ASKED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN CASE A FIRE WOULD ERUPT AGAIN. I RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S, NHTSA'S , PBS AND FORBES WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS # AND THE PERSON TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HE SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD JUST RETURNED WITH MY FAMILY 1 DAY PRIOR FROM A TRIP TO MOBILE, AL. (1500 MILES ROUND TRIP). ON 08/12/17 I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO BATTLEGROUND KIA WHERE THE ADVISOR & TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM A "THROWN ROD".THIS HOLE IS 3" TO 4" DIAMETER. (PICTURES ATTACHED). I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROD TO BE THROWN? I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON SCHEDULE THE LATEST WAS 07/26/2017. THIS VEHICLE HAS 123,937 MILES ON IT. HE REPLIED HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. ON 08/15/2017 I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE WITH 99,000 MILES WAS $6400 PLUS LABOR. [THAT IS ABOUT 24,000 MILES LESS THAN MINE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM LINGERING TO HAPPEN AGAIN] IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL WITH MINE. I WOULD LIKE KIA MANUFACTURING TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AND RENTAL VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME. I'LL LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THIS. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS
Exterior lighting, Structure, Seats, Aug 10, 2017
WE ARE CHANGING THE 3RD HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN A MONTH. WE HAD A STORM KNOCKING OUT ALL STREET LIGHTS AND IT WAS HARD TO SEE..ANSMD I KEEP GETTING PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO CARRY A BACK UP. PLUS MY PLASTIC POS DOOR PANELS DETACH AND TRAP MY KIDS IN THE CAR..WE HAVE TO BEAT THEM DOWN SO SO WE CAN OPEN DOORS. OH AND WE HAD TO CUT THE GAS COVER OFF CAUSE IT WOULDNT OPEN...AND THE SEATS WONT GO DOWN ANYMORE, HATCH WONT STAY UP..AND MY BLUTOOTH SYSTEM ONLY WORKS ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF TIME! NEVER AGAIN KIA!
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 7, 2017, fire
WE HAVE A KIA SORENTO 2012. PASSENGERS SMELLED GAS 4.5 HOURS INTO A 5 HOUR TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA. STOPPED AT REST STOP AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS COMING FROM CAR. WE DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 30 MINS INTO PHILADELPHIA AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAYS ONTO LOCAL STREETS. JOGGER ON SIDE OF ROAD FLAGGED US DOWN WITH "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" WE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE KIA SORENTO'S ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE ENGINE FIRE WITH WATER. NO INJURIES.
Engine, Aug 5, 2017
AS I CAME AROUND A BEND AT ABOUT 20 MPH, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO DIED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET, AND HAD JUST PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN FOR THE TURN. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, AND NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN. I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AGAIN, AND IT STARTED, RAN FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, SOUNDED NORMAL, THEN DIED. I TRIED TWICE MORE WITH THE SAME RESULT, THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO GET HOME. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE ISSUE, AND THEY SENT OUT A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THEY TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT RAN ROUGH AND THEN DIED. WE ARE AWAITING APPROVAL FROM CORPORATE KIA, AS WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ENGINE RECALL THEY HAVE ISSUED.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 3, 2017, fire
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON I-15 JUST 3 MILES SOUTH OF SCIPIO, UT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. I GOT INTO THE FAR RIGHT LINE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT. AS WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I BREATHED IN A LITTLE BIT OF THE THICK SMOKE THAT CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT, BUT MY WIFE DID NOT BREATHE ANY OF THE SMOKE. THE HOOD AREA WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER WE ESCAPED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER THIS INCIDENT STARTED. EVERYTHING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO ABOUT HALF OF THE TRUNK AREA WAS DESTROYED.
Structure, Aug 1, 2017
I OWN A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. 9PM TEMPERATURE ABOUT 70 ALL DAY. TURNED OFF MAIN BUSINESS STREET IN DES PLAINS IL DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET WHEN REAR PANEL OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHATTERED. FIRST THOUGHT WAS GUN SHOT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND OR IN FRONT OF ME, SIDEWALK WAS EMPTY.
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, COOPER KIA 5056 COMMERCIAL DRIVE, YORKVILLE NY, 13495, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING HOUSING UNIT MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jul 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (SAN LUIS BAY MOTORS KIA LOCATED AT 2700 THEATRE DR PASO ROBLES, CA 93466 805 239 8700) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Engine, Jul 17, 2017
I HAVE HAD DOCUMENTED ENGINE ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL SC147 COMMUNICATION. I AM ATTACHING DOCUMENTATION OF THESE ENGINE CONCERNS, SPECIFICALLY HICCUPING/SPUTTERING/SKIPPING IDLE AND NEAR STALL-OUTS. TODAY I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE IT PASSED THE BRIEF TEST THEY DID ON IT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STATE THAT I DO NOT ACCEPT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE KIA DEALER TODAY AND I FORMALLY REQUESTED TO THE KIA CORPORATION THAT THE ENGINE ON MY KIA VEHICLE BE REPAIRED PROMPTLY TO CORRECT THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN RECALL SC147. THE ENGINE IN MY KIA VEHICLE HAS HAS DOCUMENTED ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THE SC147 ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED AND STILL DOES TODAY. GIVEN THIS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY -- MY ENGINE MAY STALL OUT PUT MY FAMILY IN HARM'S WAY. AT THIS TIME, I AM AWAITING COMMUNICATION FROM KIA CORPORATION.
Engine, Jul 15, 2017
WE HAD STRUGGLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COMING ON AND GOING OFF RANDOMLY. HAD THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. RETURNED FROM A 11 DAY VACATION AND UPON STARTING THE CAR THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC IN TOWN IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM KIA BUT THE MECHANIC IN TOWN HAD ALREADY RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND SEVERAL THINGS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO KIA PER THE RECALL AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS FUN. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE ASSESSMENT AND THEY TOO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BAD. I HAVE SINCE TRADED THE CAR IN BECAUSE A MECHANIC I TRUST ADVISED ME TO DO SO. WHEN THIS CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS UNREPORTED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE CONSTANT TROUBLE WITH THE WIRING AND HONESTY OF KIA. I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE BUT I SUFFERED AN EXPENSE TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE KIA CLAIMED THIS VEHICLE WAS UNAFFECTED. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANY LONGER.
Engine, Jul 14, 2017
INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CODE P200A
Suspension, Wheels, Jul 13, 2017
WHEN I WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, I WAS TOLD MY DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN WHICH PRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT COULD POP THE TIRE. WHEN CALLING FOR ESTIMATES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR A CAR OF THIS YEAR AND MILEAGE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 10, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND DOWN HILL BREAK ASSIST LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. WOULD STOP AND RESTART THE CAR THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF, AFTER A FEW DRIVING MILES THE LIGJTS CAME BACK ON AND STAYED. NOW THE BREAK WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE SOMETIMES. I OWNER VEHICLE 52,000 THOUSANDS ON VEHICLE. ALL SERVICE UP TO DATE AND PERFORMED BY KIA DEALERSHIP.
Engine, Jul 6, 2017
I RECEIVED A INTERIM SAFETY RECALL ON 6/30/17 (ATTACHED). ON 6/21/17 WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY (RT. 80) GOING 70MPH THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THERE WAS NO KNOCKING SOUND OR WARNING LIGHT AS THE NOTICE HAD STATED WOULD BE AN INDICATOR TO A POSSIBLE PROBLEM. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED OPERATING .FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELLING IN THE LEFT LANE. HAD I BEEN IN ANY OTHER LANE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY I COULD HAVE PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LOST POWER THAT QUICKLY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED KIA. A CASE WAS OPENED AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS DUE TO THE RECALL THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED. I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT INDEED THE ENGINE WAS PART OF THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE RECEIVING A NEW ENGINE. KIA HAS NOT COMMUNICATED WITH ME IN REGARDS TO THE ETA OF THE REPAIR. I CALLED THE DEAL WHO HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED. AFTER CONTACTING KIA I WAS GIVEN AN ETA OF 7/15/17. CASE # 12385542
Engine, Jul 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 90 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AND DECREASED IN ACCELERATION UNTIL THE CONTACT REACHED THE DEALER. CATHEDRAL CITY KIA OF CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA REPLACED THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER CAUSING THE SPEED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROSEVILLE KIA IN ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA TO BE DIAGNOSED BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Engine, Jun 27, 2017
MY ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON TO RAMP TO HIGHWAY. MY CAR CUT OFF AND WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I FORCED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ON-RAMP DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AT THIS TIME, I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2012 KIA SORENTO ENGINE FOR IT STALLING WHILE DRIVING. I CALLED KIA CORPORATE FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER AND THEY ARE GIVING US THE RUN-AROUND. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BORE SCOPED, PROVING SEIZING OF THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, I AM A LICENCES AIR-FRAME AND POWER-PLANT MECHANIC SO I KNOW MY WAY AROUND A CAR. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNEXPECTED SITUATION TO BE IN.
Engine, Jun 27, 2017
MY VEHICLE IS AT 117K MILES. IT USES APPROX 6 QTS OF OIL/3000 MILES.I CANNOT GET UP TO SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT DOWN WITH ANY ACCELERATION RPMS RUN AND STAY AT 6,000 WHEN TRYING TO GET TO 70MPH - IT IS INCLUDED IN SC147 RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP IS STATING IT PASSED THE RECALL TEST AND IT'S THE TRANSMISSION NOT THE ENGINE. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT BURN OIL AT 6 QTS/3000 MILES
Air bags, Jun 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FORT MYER KIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,478. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS
Power train, Jun 27, 2017
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE IS LOCKED IN 4TH GEAR WHILE IN DRIVE. CAN NOT MANUALLY SHIFT UP OR DOWN.