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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 24, 2015
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE 2012 KIA SORENTO HAS SURGED ON ITS OWN WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL RUN AWAY. *TR
Engine, Apr 23, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WITH A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME. MY KIA SORENTO JUST SHUT OFF. I JUST PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN TIME SO I WOULDN'T GET HIT BY THE SEMI. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 6 HOURS TO GET MY CAR HOME. I WAS OUT IN WHERE THERE WASN'T A GARAGE OR NOTHING AROUND. AFTER GETTING IT HOME AND JUMP START THE BATTERY IT STARTED. THEN ON 4/22/15 I WAS TAKING MY WIFE TO A APPOINTMENT AND IT DID THE SAME THING AND THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING BEFORE IT SHUT OFF GOING DONE HIGHWAY. I BOUGHT THIS KIA USED WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY 2014. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 6 MONTHS OR 36000. WELL 6 MONTHS IS PASSED AND NOW I AM STRUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER WHERE I GOT IT. THEY WONT HELP. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A DANGEROUS THING THAT THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT IS FAULTY AND THEY MISLEAD YOU ON THE MILEAGE TO. ONLY GET 20-23 AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. NOT NOW 30 OR SO LIKE THEY SAY. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. I STILL HAVE TO GET MY CAR YET. IT IS GETTING PRICEY TO KEEP A CAR THAT SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD CAR. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Apr 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 14, 2015
DRIVING ON A TWO LANE STATE HIGHWAY IN MINNESOTA (HWY 55) ON A SUNNY, 60 DEGREE DAY, I HEARD AN EXPLOSION ON THE SUN ROOF DIRECTLY OVER MY HEAD. AS I GLANCED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME SLOWING DOWN AND DEBRIS FLYING TOWARD THAT CAR. THERE WAS CRACKING AND THE SOUNDS OF DEBRIS HITTING MY CAR, LUCKILY THE INTERIOR COVER WAS ON SO THE GLASS DID NOT GET INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND FOUND THE SUN ROOF GLASS ENTIRELY SHATTERED, MANY PIECES HAVING BLOWN OFF AND SOME HANGING ON TO THE SIDE RAILS. I DON'T RECALL HEARING ANY ROCK OR OBJECT HITTING THE SUN ROOF BEFORE THE EXPLOSION SO AM WONDERING IF THE GLASS WAS FAULTY. *TR
Engine, Apr 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ENGINE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR UNKNOWN REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,381.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2015
HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB IN MY HEADLIGHT. USED TO BE EVERY 4-5 MONTHS. NOW, IT'S 3 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. AFTER TAKING IT TO SHOP, WIRING IS SHORTING OUT, MELTING PLASTIC AROUND BULB AND CONNECTION TO CAR. CAN NOT JUST REPLACE LITTLE SOCKET, LIKE IN MOST CARS, KIA WANTS YOU TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS, TO THE TUNE OF OVER $500 FOR THE PART ALONE, NOT COUNTING LABOR. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE LAST 9-10 YEARS.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 29, 2015
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I PUT IT IN PARK, AND RESTARTED IT WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT I SHOULD BRING IT IN AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS NEXT TIME. THE SECOND TIME, MARCH 28, 2015, I WAS TRYING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. AGAIN, I REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD STALLED, SO I PUT IT INTO PARK, AND RESTARTED IT. WHILE THERE WAS NO HARM DONE, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME OCCURRENCE IN OTHER REVIEWS AND WONDER WHY THIS IS NOT MORE OF A CONCERN FOR THE MANUFACTURERS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2015, fire
ON MONDAY, MARCH 23 AT 8 PM, I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. I LOVED UP AND WENT INSIDE. AT 4:30 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING, MY SON CAME INTO OUR BEDROOM SAYING BE THOUGHT SUNSHINE WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF. I WENT TO THE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT, AND IMMEDIATELY SEE THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT. WE CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE WHOLE BACK HALF OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ROARING. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR ROLLED OUT ARSON. IT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED AND IT WAS TERRIFYINGLY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS ALREADY IN OUR YARD WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY SON HAD NOT WOOLEN UP WHEN HE HAD. THE FIRE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK, WE ARE LUCKY THERE WANT A FULL ON EXPLOSION. THE WEATHER WAS MILD AND DRY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. I SIMPLY CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. MY BEST GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING SET OF THE CAR ALARM WHICH ON TURN SHORTED AND SPARKED THE FIRE IN THE FLASHING REAR LIGHTS. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND IN PERFECT CONDITION THAT I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2014. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2015
I BOUGHT THIS USED 2012 KIA SORENTO MARCH 14TH 2015 AND 8 DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS IN THE CUP HOLDER AND FLOOR BOARD WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD RUN A DIAGNOSTIC OR JUST UNPLUG. I WAS GOING TO COST ME MONEY EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAD THE SORENTO FOR 8 DAYS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE COLOR LIGHTING? *TR
Visibility, Feb 23, 2015
I WAS TRAVELING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE SUNROOF WAS FULLY CLOSED AND HAD IMPLODED WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. GLASS HAD FALLEN ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RESULTING IN MINOR LACERATIONS. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE VISIBLE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS SUCH AS ROCKS WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 6/19/2015*JS
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2015
I PURCHASED CAR AROUND SEPTEMBER 2013. I STARTED TO NOTICED SOMETIME LATER IN 2013. AS I PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, GET TO THE END OF DRIVEWAY AND STOP TO WAIT ON TRAFFIC. I NOTICED THIS GRINDING LIKE SOUND WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. HOWEVER I ALSO NOTICED THIS SOUND WHEN I APPLIED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO GAS PEDAL. SO WHEN I TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE I ASKED IF MY BRAKES WOULD BE CHECKED, THEY SAID YES. TOLD ME BRAKES WERE FINE. CONTINUED TO HEAR THIS NOISE. EXPLAINED THE NOISE ON ONE OCCASION AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE GETTING SERVICE AND THEY STILL SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT IS NOW JANUARY 2015 AND I STILL HERE THAT SAME NOISE. I DECIDED TO CHECK ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUES AND SINCE I WAS ABLE TO FIND AT LEAST 2 OTHER CASES REPORTED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD REPORT WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME TO AND HOPEFULLY IT WOULD BE LOOKED AT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. THEY CALLED IT BRAKE HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT OR IF ANY SOLUTIONS ARE BEING LOOKED AT BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE REPORTED THIS BACK IN 2012 AND HERE IT IS 2015 AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RECALLS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES EVERY WARNING SYMBOL LIGHT BEGAN TO LIGHT UP. MY RADIO EVENTUALLY SHUT DOWN AND THE FRONT DASH LIGHTING WENT OUT. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MILES, BUT THE ENGINE POWER WAS DWINDLING. I EVENTUALLY LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. MY CAR HAS A PUSH BUTTON START AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT IT OFF. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK- ONLY DRIVE OR NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT GET MY FLASHERS TO COME ON. AFTER 5-7 MINUTES, THE CAR FINALLY DIED AND I COULD SHIFT IT INTO PARK AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY THAT MY BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE COULD BE CHECKED. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING FINE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AS IT CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2015
AT DEALERSHIP TO POSSIBLY PURCHASE USED 2012 KIA SORENTO. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALER HAD TO JUMP START. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK AND DROVE TO NEARBY PARKING LOT TO LOOK OVER THE CAR. LEFT THE CAR RUNNING IN PARK AND AFTER 5 MINUTES VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO LIGHT UP, ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THE STOP BUTTON WOULD NOT SHUTDOWN THE CAR. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE LABORED AND THEN STOPPED. CALLED DEALER AND WE JUMP STARTED THE ENGINE. ON THE WAY BACK TO DEALERSHIP (LESS THAN A MILE) THE ENGINE LABORED, THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND, POWER STEERING GOT VERY HEAVY, AND THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE REQUIRING JUMP STARTS. IT DIED AGAIN ENTERING THE DEALERSHIP. BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP BUT TROUBLESHOOTING DETERMINED THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT CHARGING. SENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2015
DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 70 IN COLORADO AN HOUR WEST OF DENVER. THE REAR SUNROOF SHATTERED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO INJURIES. CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH. *TR
Structure, Nov 23, 2014
TODAY, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2014 I WENT TO OPEN MY TRUNK...IT FELT REALLY HEAVY AS I WENT TO LIFT IT...TO MY AMAZEMENT THE STRUTS THAT HOLDS UP THE TRUNK WOULD NOT KEEP THEM UP. I'M GLAD IT DID NOT COME DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING MY GROCERY OUT OF THE TRUNK...NOW WHAT DO I DO TO GET THIS FIXED...I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR FOUR MONTHS AND NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!! IT COULD HAVE COME DOWN ON MY BACK AS I WAS REACHING INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Nov 18, 2014
VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL, OIL LIGHT CAME ON. REFILLED WITH OIL TO TRY AND FIND THE LEAK WITHOUT SUCCESS. MECHANIC FOUND A BAD OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE OIL POOLED UP IN A VALLEY IN THE ENGINE. THIS VALLEY HAD A MANUFACTURED HOLE IN THE TOP OF IT AND THAT'S WERE THE OIL WAS DUMPING OUT ONTO THE GROUND. MADE IT APPEAR THAT IT WAS A REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK. *TR
Seat belts, Nov 14, 2014, crash
I WAS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 3RD VEHICLE. I WATCHED MY 9 YEAR OLD WHO WAS BUCKLED IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE GET THROWN AROUND FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS DURING THE FIRST IMPACT, I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AS WE WERE HIT A SECOND TIME AND I WATCHED HER GET THROWN AROUND FORWARD AND BACKWARD AGAIN. THE SEATBELT DID NOT ENGAGE AT EITHER POINT OF IMPACT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 5, 2014
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 55 MPH AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND MY HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF. MY CAR RESTARTED RIGHT AFTER THAT AND NOW IT HAS DONE IT THREE TIMES SINCE THEN. I AM NERVOUS WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE, I FEAR I WILL BE STALLED SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL BE WINTER. I DRIVE 47 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. I AM SERIOUSLY THINKING OF TRADING THE CAR OFF. I KNOW I WON'T GET ANYTHING FOR IT BUT, AT LEAST I WILL BE SAFE. WE WERE TOLD BY KIA THAT IF THE CAR SHUTS OFF IT IS RESETTING THE COMPUTER AND THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE IF A DUMMY LIGHT DOESN'T STAY ON. I SEE THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY KIA AND I THINK KIA SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ASAP. *TR
Air bags, Oct 27, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON. HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS THE CLOCK SPRING, AND WANT $400 TO REPLACE. IT IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE NOTED RECALLS WITH KIA OTHER MODELS. OBVIOUSLY A WEAK POINT IN THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR
Power train, Oct 26, 2014, crash
MY 10-YEAR OLD SON, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS PLAYING IN OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IT'S THE PUSHBUTTON START TYPE AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY FOB. THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE. REGARDLESS, WITHOUT THE CAR STARTED AND WITHOUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. BECAUSE THE SORENTO WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO COAST BACKWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. OUR SON TRIED TO PUT THE SUV BACK INTO PARK. BECAUSE IT WAS MOVING, HE WAS UNABLE TO DO THIS. SO, IN A PANIC, HE JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK AND TRIED TO STOP IT BY GETTING BEHIND IT AND TRYING TO SLOW IT DOWN. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND ENDED UP BEING CRUSHED BETWEEN THE SORENTO AND A TREE IN THE YARD. THIS RESULTED IN A HUGE LACERATION IN HIS KNEE, SERIOUS BRUISING TO HIS LUNGS, 4 CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED PELVIS. HE SPENT NEARLY 3 WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING 10 DAYS IN THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I TRIED TO RECREATE WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK WITHOUT MUCH FORCE AT ALL. THIS IS WITHOUT A KEY FOB IN THE CAR, WITHOUT THE CAR BEING ON, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND WITH THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR OPEN. OUR SON WAS VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 24, 2014
THE STRUTS ON MY BACK LIFT GATE ARE ALREADY WORN OUT ON A 2012 KIA SORENTO. I HAD A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK STRUTS ON THE LIFT GATE. ON THE SPORTAGE THE GLASS OPENED SEPARATELY FROM THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE LIFT GATE. HOWEVER, THIS NEWER VEHICLE WORE OUT THE BACK LIFT GATE STRUTS IN JUST OVER 2 YEARS WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BACK LIFT GATE IS NOT SEPARATED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE GLASS SO THE ENTIRE BACK LIFT DOOR IS EXTREMELY HEAVY TO OPEN AND HOLD WITHOUT THE STRUTS TO KEEP THE TRUNK DOOR LIFTED AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HURT SMALL CHILDREN OR EVEN ADULTS WHO ARE NOT ANTICIPATING A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE STRUTS ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. AT THIS POINT, THE ENTIRE TRUNK AREA CANNOT BE USED UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, BUT REPAIR SHOPS WANT OVER $500 TO FIX A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN OUT THIS QUICKLY TO BEGIN WITH. I WILL ATTEMPT SEEK REMEDY FROM KIA DIRECTLY, BUT WANTED TO BRING THE ISSUE UP IN CASE OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR TREND ANALYSIS AND POTENTIAL RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Oct 23, 2014
ON FRIDAY, OCT 17, 2014 I DROVE OVER 600 MILES WITH MY SON TO AN EVENT AND RETURNED HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. THE CAR WAS PARKED NEXT TO OUR HOUSE IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. IT WAS VERY STRANGE AS NOTHING HAD FALLEN ON THE CAR AND THERE APPEARED TO BE NO CAUSE. WHEN I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY INITIALLY DENIED KNOWING OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SUNROOFS SHATTERING. AFTER I GOOGLE - RESEARCHED IT AND TALKED TO THEM ON MONDAY, OCT 20, THEY THEN SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT AND I SHOULD JUST SUBMIT IT AS A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAVE 100 % GLASS COVERAGE BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT AND COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG PROBLEM IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHEN MY SON & I WERE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Oct 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION, A/C AND HEADLIGHTS WERE LOST. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS HAD BLOWN THE FUSE FOR CONTROL MODULE #2 RESULTING IN THE AFOREMENTIONED INSTRUMENTATION AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR BRAKE PAD BECAME STUCK. IN ADDITION, THE TEXTURE OF THE FRONT ROTOR WAS SMOOTH AND SHINY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Sep 12, 2014
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-85 NORTH OUTSIDE OF DURHAM, NC. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND OR IN FRONT OF US FOR AT LEAST 1/4 MILE. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THEN WIND NOISE. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. *TR