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.
Seats, Feb 15, 2016
ON MY SECOND ROW SEAT, THE LATCH THE MAKE THE SEAT RECLINE BACK AND TO FOLD DOWN HAS BROKEN FOR THE 4TH TIME. WHEN I WENT TO PULL THE LATCH IT DID NOT MOVE THE SEAT THE LATCH WAS STUCK AND THEN IT SEEMED AS THO IT IS JUST NOT CATCHING ONTO ANYTHING TO MOVE THE SEAT. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO GET MY KIDS INTO THE THIRD ROW SEAT.
Engine, Feb 2, 2016
I FIRST BOUGHT MY VEHICLE FROM A USED LOT STILL VERY WELL CONDITION ALL SERVICE RECORDS CAR FAX, ETC A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM TURNING LIGHTS ON AN A WEIRD ENGINE NOISE, I BROUGHT IT INTO A KIA DELARESHIP ONLY TO BE LAUGHED AT BY THE SERVICE TEAM OVER THE PHONE BECAUSE THEY HADN'T REALIZED I HAD PICKED UP THE LINE, THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS ALL NORMAL FIXED THE "PROBLEMS", AND SENT ME ON MY WAY OUT. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT TO TELL THEM I DIDN'T THINK THE ENGINE NOISE WAS CORRECT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, A FEW MONTHS LATER MY ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ON AN EXPRESSWAY WITH MY SELF PREGNANT AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON. IT IS NOW AT THE SHOP AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR EXTENSIVE INFORMATION AND SERVICE RECORDS WHICH I HAVE AND ARE BEING VERY ODD ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND WHEN THEY WILL KNOW THE PROBLEM. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING FROM KIA, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WITH MY CHILDREN. TRADING IN ONCE THE ISSUE OR ENGINE IF IT EVEN GETS FIXED. SCARED TO DEATH.
Air bags, Engine, Feb 1, 2016
WE WERE TOLD WE HAD A 10 YR, 100000 MILE WARRANTY BUMPER TO BUMPER IN JAN 2012 WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER CHECK ENGINE OR AIRBAG PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WOULD BE COVERED IF THE UNIT WAS UNDER 5 YEARS OLD. THEY WANT $1000+ TO FIX THE ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND $1400 TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROBLEM. BOTH UNITS SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAD A SPARE TIRE PROBLEM A MONTH AFTER GETTING THE CAR. THE SPARE TIRE WAS BAD AND THEY WANTED US TO BUY A NEW TIRE. NOTHING WE HAVE IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IT SEEMS. WE WERE TOLD THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE CAR WOULD NOT OPERATE UNLESS WE PAID THE $1400 TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2016
SORENTO RECALL. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO.114.REQUIRES THE SERVICE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. WHEN EXCESSIVE FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE PARK POSITION CATCH IN THE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM CAN CHIP OR CRACK. THIS DAMAGE CAN CAUSE THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE MOVED OUR OF PARK WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THUS THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND OR INJURY ESPECIALLY IF DRIVER IS NOT PRESENT.
Engine, Jan 24, 2016
@ 66,000 MILES, THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKED ALL THE OIL OUT OF THE ENGINE. YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE SWITCH/SENSOR WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING THE ENGINE. KIA WILL ONLY COVER THIS REPAIR UP TO 60,000 MILES. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, ITS THE SAME SWITCH THAT IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL ON THE 2011 KIA SORENTO. KIA CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAID I SHOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET YET IT WAS THE INTERNET I USED TO MAKE MY DECISION TO PURCHASE THEIR PRODUCT. THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH SHOULD BE ON THE SAME RECALL AS THE 2011 RECALL. SAME PROBLEM SAME SWITCH. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE SWITCH AND WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS IT, THE COVERAGE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS AN INTERIOR ENGINE PART 10 YEARS, 100,000 MILES. THE OIL DRAINED WHILE DRIVING/RUNNING, AND SPILLED WHILE SITTING STATIONARY DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. THE OIL POOLS ON WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A "VALLEY PAN" THEN DUMPS WHEN PARKED.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AT APPROX. 71,000 MILES. KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE SAYS "PASSENGERS SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY SETTING CODE" ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $2,306.00. CAR IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. CAR NEVER IN ANY ACCIDENTS, ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT KIA DEALERSHIP.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 11, 2016
WE OWN 2012 KIA SORENTO SX, PURCHASED NEW. THE CAR HAS 79643 MILES. OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 FROM BOSTON TO CONNECTICUT. THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 60~65 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE CAR TPM (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING) CAME ON AND WITHIN 5~10 SECOND ALL LIGHTS ( TRACTION CONTROL/ BATTERY/ ALL WHEEL DRIVE) STARTED FLASHING. IT WAS RAINING AND WIPER STOPPED IN MIDDLE. ALL OF THESE EVENTS OCCURRED WITHIN 10~15 SECONDS. I PULLED OVER FROM LEFT LANE TO CENTER LANE. I FELT CAR IS LOSING POWER WITH NO WIPERS RUNNING. I THAN PULLED OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ' THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND ENGINE TUNED OFF. THE BREAKS WERE HARD TO PRESS. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF - I CANNOT EVEN MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM DRIVE MODE TO PARKING. WE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO KIA OF EAST HARTFORD ( KIA'S DEALER IN CT) I WAS LUCKY TO PULL OVER WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR TRAGIC. THIS KIND OF SUDDEN DEATH OF CAR WITHOUT WARNING IS VERY DANGEROUS. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM TO REPORT THIS INCIDENCE AND THEY WERE NOT EVEN CONCERNED. I REVIEWED THE COMMENT/ COMPLAIN FROM OTHER CUSTOMER ABOUT THE SIMILAR INCIDENCE THEY EXPERIENCED AS WELL. I REQUEST WANT NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.
Exterior lighting, Dec 23, 2015
PURCHASED NEW 2012 KIA SORENTO SX 3.5 IN MAY 2012. IT NOW HAS 54K MILES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS BOTH SIDES ON 3 OCCASIONS AND HIGH INTENSITY DRIVING LIGHTS (OEM) 2 TIMES EACH SIDE. THE LAST TIME 12/23/15 THE DEALER (LANGDALE KIA, VALDOSTA GA) STATED THAT THE SOCKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DRIVING LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BULB TO EXPLODE, AND THE INTENSE HEAT AND DEBRIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REFLECTOR AND INTERIOR OF THE LENS HOUSING, MAKING IT NOT REPAIRABLE. THE REPLACEMENT COST INCLUDING 1.5 HR. LABOR IS OVER $300, AND THE SERVICE WRITER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BE CAUSE OF AGE, MILEAGE, AND THE BULB THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY?? I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHT BULBS AND ALSO TAG LIGHT BULBS. I HAVE SPENT APPROX. $200 SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE! THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A $38000 VEHICLE.
Power train, Dec 22, 2015, crash
ON AUGUST 23, 2015, A 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STATIONARY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING ANY INTENTIONAL ACTION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NUETRAL OR REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE BACKWARDS. AS IT MOVED BACKWARDS, IT KNOCKED OVER AND DRAGGED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, WHO AT THE TIME WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A PERSON STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE, PINNING THAT PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V626 FOR 2011-2013 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES INVOLVING WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM.
Engine, Dec 17, 2015
I BOUGHT MY KIA NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT CURRENTLY HAS 83000MI ON IT. WHEN I START IT, IT IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT ONLY LAST A FEW SECONDS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THERE ARE SHARDS OF METAL IN THE OIL PAN. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $6000. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON AT ANY POINT WHILE OWNING THE SUV, NOR HAS ANY OTHER LIGHT. WE HAVE MAINTAINED OIL CHANGES AT EVERY 4000MI OR LESS BUT WE COMPLETED ALL OIL CHANGES AND FILTER CHANGES OUR SELF. THE MASTER MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE LOOKED TO BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT WANTING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO DO.
Power train, Dec 15, 2015
LETTER FROM SENATOR FISCHER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HIS 2012 KIA SORRENTO RECALL ISSUES AND CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AS DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED EMAIL; ATTN: BRANDI MCCASLIN DIRECT RESPOND TO CONSTITUENT SERVICES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE NEAREST DEALER WAS THREE HOURS AWAY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION FOR TIME AND FUEL EXPENSES TO GET TO THE DEALER. RECALL # 15V626000. *JB
Power train, Dec 14, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FRONT GATE. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG AND KNEE INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 106,927.
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2015
LOW BEAM DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A SIX MONTH PERIOD WITH SYLVANIA BRAND BULBS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY OUT AGAIN I NOTICED WHEN I STARTED MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME THE LIGHT WAS WORKING AND WENT OUT AGAIN THE NEXT EVENING. THIS IS A NEVER ENDING ISSUE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 3, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING THE A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TO CRASHED INTO A RESTAURANT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE LOCATION OF THE CRASH AT THE TIME OF THE CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,741.
Engine, Oct 28, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND LIFTING UP THE HOOD, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE, OIL AND A SMALL FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FLAME SELF EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 02/02/16*LJ *JS
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2015
AFTER SITTING FOR TWO DAYS, THE UNIT WOULDN'T RESPOND TO SMART KEY. INITIALLY THOUGHT SMART KEY BATTERY WAS DEAD. I REPLACED BATTERY IN SMART KEY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T RESPOND. I HAD TO USE MECHANICAL KEY TO UNLOCK AND ENTER UNIT WHEN I NOTICED THAT NEITHER THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE WORKING NOR WOULD THE 'START' BUTTON ACTIVATE ENGINE OR ANY AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS. BOOSTED UNIT AND TOOK TO A NEARBY SHOP. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS, AND IT DID RESTART; BUT LEFT WITH SHOP TO SEE IF BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL (THE REASON IT WOULDN'T START). THE SHOP INDICATED THAT BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDING REPLACING. THE SHOP SUPERVISOR STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WASN'T PROPERLY CHARGING THE BATTERY. I MENTIONED THAT THE ALTERNATOR/CHARGE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON WITH ME; BUT HE STATED THAT IT WILL NOT ALWAYS COME ON UNLESS THE ALTERNATOR HAS REALLY GOTTEN BAD. REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR COST $500 (EXCLUDING LABOR) FOR A UNIT THAT IS ONLY JUST OVER 4.25 YEARS OLD, AND WITH ONLY 83,700 MILES.
Air bags, Oct 7, 2015
THE RED AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED REPLACING. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $458 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. IT'S A 2012 SO THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE FAULTY AFTER THIS LENGTH OF TIME. THE CAR HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT, AND SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AS OF 60,000. NOW I AM WITHOUT AIRBAGS BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THIS REPAIR. I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS AT NO CHARGE SINCE THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 3 YEARS WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR STEERING COLUMN ISSUES THAT WOULD ESCALATE THE PART FAILING.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 26, 2015
FRIDAY 9/18/15 10:40 AM, BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT SLOWLY INTO A ROAD. ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND PARK IT AGAIN, BUT BRAKES STILL FAILED AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CURB AND TREE AT CURB TO STOP VEHICLE. TOWED TO ED VOYLES KIA ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD IN ATLANTA WHO FOUND NO RECORD OF THE INCIDENT IN COMPUTER AND THAT ALL DIAGNOSTICS WERE NORMAL AND THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I SENT THEM THIS LINK WITH OTHERS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES AND TOLD REP ABOUT OTHERS' EXPERIENCES:HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2012/ENGINE/ENGINE.SHTML. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO COBB COUNTY KIA IN KENNESSAW, GA. THEY MAINTAINED NEGLECT ON OUR PART B/C OIL LEVEL WAS AT 0 (PREVIOUS DEALERSHIP SAW NO PROBLEM HERE), ENGINE HAD MAJOR SLUDGE AND PARTICLES OF METAL IN IT, NEEDED FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR $6500 DIDN'T MAKE SENSE WITH OUR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE BRAKE FAILURE, THOUGH REP SAID IT DID. HAD IT TOWED TO AAA CAR CARE PLUS IN MARIETTA. COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND SAID THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, WAS IN GREAT SHAPE, WAS FULL OF ALL FLUIDS. MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE 0 RECORDS ON COMPUTER AND THAT ONE OF DEALERSHIPS LIKELY WIPED IT COMPLETELY CLEAN. HAVE RENTED A CAR IN MEANTIME BECAUSE MY, MY HUSBAND'S, MY TWO KIDS' AND OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS SAFETY WOULD BE COMPROMISED. OTHER COMMENTS ONLINE MENTION PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE, SOME ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO REMEMBERED THAT MY HUSBAND HAD HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK, WITH NO LIGHTS COMING ON AT ALL. HE GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT, AND HE WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. WE RELAYED THIS TO THE MECHANICS TOO, BUT THEY SEEMED NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INFO. WE CANNNOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S RESOLVED.
Engine, Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 10,000 MILES OF BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 24, 2015
CAMERA MALFUNCTIONING. ORIGINALLY TOOK VEHICLE IN WITH CAMERA PROBLEMS IN 09/2013. SERVICE CHECK COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HAVE HAD SAME ISSUES WITH CAMERA WORKING AND NOT WORKING OFF AND ON. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN FOR SAME ISSUE WITH CAMERA. TOLD AT FIRST BY SERVICE TECH. OUR WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ON ITEM. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 60,550. INFORMED THEM WE PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD TO GO HOME AND BRING IN PROOF OF WARRANTY TO SERVICE DEPT. WHICH I DID THEN WAS TOLD I HAD TO TAKE IT TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. FOR REPLACEMENT PART. MATT CASTRUSSI IN DAYTON, OHIO (DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO WHERE I LIVE) WOULD NOT REPLACE PART. HAD TO TAKE IT TO KIA OF DAYTON, OHIO FOR REPLACEMENT PART.
Engine, Sep 9, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON I95 WE BEGAN HEARING A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. IT WAS FAINT AT FIRST, JUST A PINGING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN WE PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN. WE JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT 94,000 MILES SO KNEW OUR OIL LEVEL WAS GOOD. THE FAINT NOISE GREW STEADILY LOUDER OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES AND WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A SERVICE/GAS STATION. THE MECHANICS CAME OUT WHEN THEY HEARD US PULL UP. THEY KNEW ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND WOULD NEED MAJOR REPAIRS IF NOT A REBUILD. THE KIA DEALER IS GOING TO CONFIRM TODAY, BUT I BEILEVE THAT IT IS AN ENGINE CONNECTION PIN THAT BROKE. WE WERE TOLD WE WERE LUCKY IT DID NOT BREAK AND PUNCTURE THE ENGINE BLOCK WHILE WE WERE DRIVING.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 25, 2015
WENT OUT FROM WORK TO START MY CAR AND NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO OUT. IT WOULD NOT. THE VERY NEXT DAY, I WENT TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE CAR. THE HANDLE FELL OFF IN MY HAND. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS HARDLY USED AS I AM THE ONLY OCCUPANT OF THE CAR. IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT OR DAMAGED, THE COVER JUST BROKE OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE KIA DEALER. THE ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE, PAY $85 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SO THEY COULD SEE WHY THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY FOR IT RAN OUT AT 60K MILES. SAME WITH THE HANDLE. I HAVE TO PAY OVER $40 JUST FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE HANDLE'S COVER. THEY SAID ONCE THEY FOUND OUT WHY THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, IF I PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THAT THEY WILL WAIVE THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. SO I HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE OUT OF POCKET FOR NO TELLING HOW LONG, AND PAY FOR WHAT EVER IS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THEY CLAIM THAT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GO INTO AN ACCIDENT. I'VE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2012 KIA SORRENTO AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. ANOTHER LAW SUIT IN THE MAKING JUST LIKE THE GAS MILEAGE ONE THEY JUST WERE SUED FOR.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2015
UPON ARRIVAL AT MY DESTINATION THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO PRESS THE IGNITION OFF BUTTON SEVERAL TIME BEFORE THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. THERE WERE TIMES WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF.
Engine, Jul 7, 2015
MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS RUNNING FINE, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A FLUTTER NOISE THAT TURNED INTO A KNOCKING SOUND. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. TOW TRUCK DRIVER STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY 60 FT TO A PARKING SPOT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER I HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED TIGHT (WHICH WAS NOT TRUE AT ALL) DUE TO NEGLECT. I HAVE PROVIDED KIA CORP. AND THE DEALER WITH ALL OF THE SERVICE RECORDS AS WELL AS THE OIL PURCHASE RECEIPTS, OIL FILTER RECEIPTS AND OIL CHANGE RECORDS. OIL CHANGES WERE PERFORMED TO WHAT KIA'S MANUAL SUGGESTS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS KIA OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE I HAD. THEIR COMPLAINTS ARE ALMOST EXACTLY WORD FOR WORD WHAT HAPPENED TO MY KIA. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS...MOST KIA OWNERS HAD THIS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN THEIR TEENAGERS WERE DRIVING. KIA HAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS VERY REASON. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. I WAS VERY LUCKY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. IF THERE WERE TRAFFIC AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY.. IT COULD GAVE RESULTED IN MUCH WORSE. PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE CAME ACROSS SO MANY PEOPLE IN STORES, RESTAURANTS, AND DEALERS WHILE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILD TO AND FROM SCHOOL, FOOTBALL, ETC. I STILL HAVE A LOAN ON MY KIA AND NOW HAVE ANOTHER LOAN BECAUSE THIS ISSUE. KIA HAS BASED MY WARRANTY REPAIR ON PICTURES THE DEALER TOOK. THEY ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO LISTEN TO ME NOR HELP ME. I BEGGED AND PLEADED WITH THEM TO LOOK FURTHER INTO IT AND THEY WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THEN I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO AND I NEEDED TO GET MY CAR OFF OF THEIR LOT.
Service brakes, Jun 21, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED ON 3-25-15 WITH A FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS MY WIFE AND I BOTH NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDDLE DRIFTING TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO CRAWL FORWARD. DURING LONG STOPLIGHTS THE BRAKE PEDDLE WILL SLOWLY DRIFT TO THE FLOOR AND HAS TO BE PUMPED UP. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS AN IDIOT THEY DID A CURSORY INSPECTION AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FOUND AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. I LEFT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND FOUND THAT AT ALMOST EVERY STOPLIGHT IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING LOOSE BREAKING AND BEGIN TO ROLL FORWARD. I THEN TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC "IN & OUT AUTO" HE STATED TO ME THERE WAS BREAK LOSS AND PEDDLE MOVEMENT TO THE FLOOR AND RECOMMENDED I RETURN IT TO THE DEALER. I DID SO THE NEXT DAY EXPLAINING WHAT I WAS TOLD SO THEY HAD A DIFFERENT MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND HE WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE & MAKE THE VEHICLE DO THE SAME THING "BUT" THEY KIA SAID THERE WAS NO NEED OF REPAIR AND THIS IS NORMAL AGAIN SENDING ME HOME. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AND ALSO I NOTED ON REVERSING AT A STORE PARKING LOT THE BREAKS FADED WHEN PEDESTRIANS WERE WALKING BEHIND MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. I HAVE KIAS PAPERWORK SHOWING BOTH TRIPS TO THEIR SHOP WITH NOTHING BEING DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR