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, Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWITCH TO THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO GET HOME. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER UTILIZED THE WRONG SIZE WIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE THIS MONTH AND THE HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500.
Engine, Sep 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Engine, Sep 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, THE RODS CAME APART, AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Engine, Sep 6, 2016
MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (DOING ABOUT 70MPH) BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2013. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO RESTART MY CAR (PUSH BUTTON START). THEY SAID IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. ON AUGUST 7, 2014 (44,516K), 8 OIL CHANGES USING SYNTHETIC OIL AND KIA OIL FILTERS (2 GENERIC), MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A FLUTTERING NOISE AND THEN A KNOCKING NOISE.END RESULT, THEY SAID I NEGLECTED MY CAR AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. KIA MOTORS OUTRIGHT REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY. EVEN WHEN PROOF OF OIL CHANGES WAS DONE. I HAD NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO SMOKE OF ANY KIND COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE, NOT SLUGGISH, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. KIA MOTORS NEVER FIXED MY CAR. IT SAT DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR OVER 15 MONTHS. I FINALLY WROTE A LETTER TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP BACK ON JUNE 3, 2015 AND SHE CONTACTED ME IN OCTOBER AND SAID THAT, "IF ANYONE HAS PULL WITH KIA, IT'S ME, I OWN THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WON'T EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR CAR." SHE ENDED UP REPLACING MY ENGINE WITH A USED ONE, GOT IT ALL READY FOR INSPECTION AND PUT NEWER TIRES ON IT SO THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST ($4200, I PAID $2100). THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM. I AM HEARING OF MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE I DID. EVEN ONE PERSON WHO STATED ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES MAINTENANCE WAS DONE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA MOTORS STILL REFUSED TO FIX THEIR CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. LET'S NOT WAIT UNTIL GOD FORBID SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Aug 24, 2016
ON MAY 6TH, 2016 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (BACK ROADS WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 OR LESS), JUST A FEW MILES FROM MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN I HEARD A TICKING/CLICKING TYPE OF NOISE. EACH TIME I PRESSED THE GAS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE GOT SLUGGISH. I STOPPED AT ONE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH WITH LITTLE PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE SOUND GETTING LOUDER. AS I STOPPED AT ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER AND AGAIN GOT THROUGH THE LIGHT BUT THE POWER WAS EVEN MORE SLUGGISH AS I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE NOISE GOT EVEN LOUDER. THE VEHICLE FINALLY DIED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS CEASED BECAUSE A ROD BROKE AN DROVE ITSELF INTO THE OIL PUMP RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ENGINE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY THUS THEY HAD TO FIND A SECOND ENGINE TO REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THE WARRANTEE DID NOT TRANSFER WITH THE VEHICLE, THE REPLACEMENT AND ALL RELATED EXPENSES COST ME OVER $8,000. AS I HAVE FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS HERE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST KIA MOTORS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2016
2012 KIA SORENTOS ARE JUNK!! IN OCT I WILL HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS, MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE OR AT LEAST IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, FEEL TOTALLY SHAFTED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME A MORE EXPENSIVE OLDER CAR WITH LOADS OF MILES BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. ANYWAY THE THE CAR IS JUNK, AFTER PAYING $85 A DOOR TO CHANGE 3 DOORS I JUST SUPERGLUED THEM THINGS BACK ON AND TADA NO MORE HANDLES POPPING OFF. DRIVING MY CAR TODAY NORMAL JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY, SPEND A COUPLE HOURS IN THE OFFICE, COME OUT TO GO HOME AND NOTICE THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, IT MUST BE A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG! SO NOW I GET TO DRIVE AROUND AND WORRY ABOUT MY AIRBAG GOING OFF BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED OR EVEN LOOKED AT. HOW DOES A 4 YEAR OLD CAR HAVE AIRBAG ISSUES?? THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY PULL A RECALL, ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT ONE COMPANY HAD METAL SHRAPNEL SHOOTING OUT OF THEIR AIRBAGS AND KILLING AN INJURING PEOPLE! I AM TERRIFIED, I DRIVE WITH MY DAUGHTER ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY AT THE LEAST. THIS CAR HAS AIRBAGS EVERYWHERE, WHAT IF THEY GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY? AND THE DOOR HANDLES!?!? PLASTIC!! WHAT A JOKE! TRYING TESTING THEM IN A CONSTANTLY SUNNY STATE LIKE FLORIDA!!! RIDICULOUS JUNK!!
Engine, Aug 12, 2016
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. WE HAD A NEAR MISS WITH THE PERSON BEHIND US BUT WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, IT NOW HAS A LOUD CLANK COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND STILL NO POWER. WE WERE STRANDED UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE MOTOR, SAID HE HAS HAD TO FIX MANY OF THESE ISSUES ON THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR, GDI 2.4 L AND THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE NOTHING WE DID. THE CAUSE WAS FROM METAL SHAVINGS BLOCKING OIL PASSAGE TO THE RODS AND THE ROD BEARINGS WENT OUT CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING.
Engine, Aug 6, 2016
THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN ACCELERATE TO SPEED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE YONKERS KIA DEALERSHIP ON CENTRAL PARK AVENUE IN YONKERS NY ON AUGUST 5TH, 2016 TO LOOK INTO A PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS RUINED DO TO SLUG BUILD UP. I WAS TOLD THAT A REPLACEMENT WOULD COAST ABOUT $10,000. ODD FOR ME BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND NO INDICATION OF ENGINE ISSUES DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SPEAKING TO A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HE STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SUPPORT PROOF OF MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR WHICH WOULD ALLOW MY REPAIRS DONE UNDER OUR WARRANTY. I BECAME EXTREMELY DISILLUSIONED AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO KIA DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE TIED TO THE MANUFACTURER. WE WERE DENIED SERVICE UNDER THE WARRANTY WHICH WE ARE STILL UNDER. OUR CAR IS FAIRLY NEW WITH LESS THAN 25K MILES. WE CARRIED OUT ALL OF THE STEPS THUS FAR INCLUDING TAKING CARE OF OUR INVESTMENT, PROVING OUR CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF INCLUDING KEEPING METICULOUS ANNOTATIONS (KEPT IN THE LOG PROVIDED BY KIA) AND RECEIPTS TO DATE. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BIG COMPANIES LOOKING FOR LOOPHOLES AND USING TACTICS TO SWINDLE PEOPLE OF THEIR HARD EARNED PAYCHECKS. HOWEVER, KIA DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR US. OUR PAPERWORK/LOG/RECEIPTS ARE BEING TAKEN APART WITH PREJUDICE IN ORDER TO NOT PROVIDE SERVICES AND RECTIFY THIS ISSUE THAT IS PROVEN TO BE A DEFECT. WE ARE CONCLUDING THAT BASED ON THE POOR HANDLING OF OUR CASE AND MANY OTHERS LIKE OURS, KIA AND ITS AFFILIATES /DEALERS AND CORPORATE, ARE NOT ABOUT SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ALL WE ASK IS THAT KIA HONORS ITS WARRANTY RATHER THAN FINAGLE USE ON THE FABRICATED NOTION THAT WE ARE AT FAULT RATHER THAN POOR ENGINEERING.
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FRACTURED AND FRAGMENTS ENTERED INTO OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 09/23/16*LJ *TR
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE RODS WERE TWISTING AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine, Jul 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 22, 2016
THE VEHICLE GROSSLY LOST POWER AND CAME TO A NEAR STOP WHICH ALMOST CAUSED COLLISION WITH VEHICLES TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT BEHIND ME. WHILE TRAVELING NORMALLY AT THE POSTED 55 MPH SPEED THE VEHICLE SLOWED IMMEDIATELY TO NEARLY MOVING. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHICH I REPORTED TO THE KIA DEALER EACH TIME. THE DEALER DID NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE THIRD REPORT.
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2016
THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE MPG GOING UP AND DOWN LIKE A ROLLER COASTER. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I'VE INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT IT MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY STATE THEY DO NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM.
Engine, Jul 17, 2016
DRIVING 80MPH ON HIGHWAY, HEARD PINGING NOISE FROM ENGINE, CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 60MPH. CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS SUDDEN STALL EVENT. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 7, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL ON A CITY STREET AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CAR JUST SHUT-OFF. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST TELLS ME TO KEEP BRINGING IT IN. THEY CAN NEVER FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
Engine, Jun 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, May 23, 2016
KIA OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BUTTON.
Seats, May 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW SEAT LATCH SYSTEM FAILED TO FOLD THE SEAT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO USE THE THIRD ROW SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT FOLDING SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,980.
Structure, May 16, 2016
MY PAINT COLOR IS PEARL WHITE. I HAVE AT LEAST 2 SPOTS OF RUST ONE ON THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. AND ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR. NEITHER ONE IS DENTED OR SCRATCHED BUT THE PAINT IS PEALED AND RUST IS SHOWING THROUGH.
Power train, May 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RANDOM PROGRESSING FAILURE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, May 13, 2016
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME IN LAUREL MD ON 5/9/16. ON 5/10/16 I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING WILE RADDLING. ON 5/10/16 & 5/11/16 I MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE KIA HAVING ENGINE ISSUES. ON 5/13/2016 THE CAR STARTED DRAGGING AND WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 60MPH. THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF 95N GOING TOWARDS EX 43. THIS WAS VERY SCARY, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR LOST POWER SO I ENDED UP DRIFTING OUT OF CONTROL TO THE RIGHTS SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC... I'M SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE TODAY...THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY... IT SAD TO KNOW THAT MARYLAND INSPECTED AND PASSED THAT DEATH TRAP
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (CITY.) NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CHECK OIL LIGHT...NOTHING. I COULD NOT STEER IT NOR RESTART IT. MY LIGHTS ALL DIMMED. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY'VE HAD 3 OF THE SAME CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT , BUT NO LEAK. THEY PUT OIL IN IT AND JUMPED IT, THEN TOOK IT FOR A TEST RUN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE OIL BECAME THICK AND DIRTY, WITH METAL IN IT AS WELL. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT AND THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A 150 MILE DRIVE IN A FEW WEEKS. CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED DOCUMENTATION OF ALL OIL CHANGES...FINE, I CAN GET THAT. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THOUGH I DON'T FEEL KIA WILL PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, PLAGUED MANY OWNERS. I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN 2011. IT HASN'T EVEN HIT THE 5 YEAR MARK YET, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A TRACTOR-TRAILER BEHIND ME? TOO SCARY. CONSIDERING ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE...WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2016
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, ROUGH IDLING BETWEEN GEARS THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, COULDN'T TURN ONTO SIDE STREET UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SO I WAS DRIVING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR STALLS AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN ON. VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AFTER STALLING. HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART VEHICLE. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS, RAN DIAGNOSTICS, CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG
Engine, Mar 19, 2016, fire
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH DOWN 269 HIGHWAY WHEN ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE SOUND AND THEN SMOKE STARTED GOING OUT THE TAIL PIPE AND THEN UNDER THE HOOD THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND RASISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE . LUCKELY SOMEONE ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND HAD A FIRE EXSTINQUER AND PUT IT OUT. CALLED POLICE THEY WOULD NOT COME OUT CALLED INSURANCE AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011 AND ALWAYS KELPT IT SERVICED, THEY TOOK IT TO THE KIA LOT WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND SAID IT WAS A FIRE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD COST $10,000 TO FIX IT WE WERE STILL PAYING ON IT. SO THE INSURANCE CALLED IT A LOSS. NOW WE ARE OUT CAR AND NO MONEY TO BOOT. I HAD JUST TOOK MY GRANDBABY HOME IT COULD OF BEEN REALLY BAD. I GOT ON THE ENTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER 2012 KIA SORENTOS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2016
HAVE A 2012 KIA SORENTO. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIRED. DEALER HAD IT FOR 3 HOURS AND WHEN WE GOT IT BACK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL WAS ON. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY DID NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. FOR 67,000 MILES NO PROBLEM. THEY HAVE IT FOR 3 HOURS AND NOW THERE'S A PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR $700-$800. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF THE BAG NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING FOR NO REASON WHILE I'M DRIVING. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO WAY OF KNOWING UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF WEB-SITES OF OTHERS (SORENTO AS WELL AS OTHER KIA MODELS) THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR A SAFETY DEVICE TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS, THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DEVICE. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. NOT JUST ON MINE BUT ALL KIA VEHICLES.