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.
Seat belts, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Service brakes, Sep 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. ..UPDATED 11/01/12 *BF UPDATED UPDATED 11/02/2012 *JS
Power train, Sep 7, 2012
I OWN A TWO-WHEEL-DRIVE MODEL 2012 KIA SORENTO WITH A 2.4-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. IT HAS LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS AND HAS A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. SHIFTING INTO 3 THE RMPS BEGIN TO INCREASE BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS AND SHIFTING INTO 4TH IS SO DELAYED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE FAILING. AT 35 MPH, THE RPM'S RAMP UP TO 4500 AND CONTINUES TO CLIMB. BY 45 MPH IT CAN BE AS HIGH AS 6500 RPMS. THE SUSTAINABLE RPMS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE CONTINUOUSLY 3500 TO 4500 RPMS AND IS QUITE LOUD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALER 4 TIMES. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THEY KEPT IT FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AND ALWAYS TELL ME THAT THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE 4TH TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP, ANOTHER 2012 SORENTO WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. TWICE THIS ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED A WRECK WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, AND NOT HAVING THE POWER TO GET PAST 35 MPH; PUSHING THE RPMS TO 4500+. TRAVELING UP SMALL GRADES IS DIFFICULT AT BEST LET ALONE TRAVELING STEEPER HILLS/CRESTS AND GRADES. I FEAR THIS WILL CAUSE GREAT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE OR WORSE, CAUSE A FATAL CRASH WITH ME AND MY CHILDREN. OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND I AM CERTAIN OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ UPDATED 10/05/2012*JS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 4, 2012
ON 08/12/12 WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 72-74 MPH, I EASED OUT INTO THE PASSING LANE TO PUT MYSELF BEHIND SOMEONE GOING FASTER. THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED AND ACCELERATED WITH MAXIMUM THROTTLE. I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL MODERATELY TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR CONTINUED AT MAXIMUM ACCELERATION AND IN THE PASSING GEAR. I THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH GREAT VIGOR AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I REACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES WITHOUT ANY FURTHER MALFUNCTION. I PRESENTED THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR. THE CAR WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. I ASKED THEM IF THEY REPORTED THESE VERY DANGEROUS OBSERVATIONS TO KIA OR NHTSA. THEY SAID NO THEY NEVER DO. INCIDENTAL TO THIS EVENT, I HAD AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON 7/25/12. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION HEAT SENSOR. A PART WAS ORDERED AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY. WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS, I BECAME AWARE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATING WHEN DRIVING THE FIRST TIME IN A DAY. BUT IF THE ENGINE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED NORMALLY. I DUPLICATED THIS 3 DISTINCT TIMES EXACTLY AS WRITTEN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO LINK THE DIFFICULTY TO ANYTHING THEY HAD SEEN OR READ, THEY SUMMERIZED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR THAT FAILED BUT THE COMPUTER DISPELLED THAT NOTION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 30, 2012, crash
I JUST TURNED RIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET IN MY SUBDIVISION WHEN A MOTORCYCLE GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HIT THE SPEED BUMP AN RAN RIGHT INTO MY DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AN THERE IS AIR BAGS ON THE DOOR. BOTH OF US TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO HOSPITAL. *TR
Engine, Aug 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED WITHIN TEN MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RETURN CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Power train, Aug 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND STATED THAT IF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE THEN THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2012
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX. 75MPH , CAR JERKED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. HAPPENED 5 OTHER TIMES PREVIOUS TO THIS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. DEALER DID A REFLASH OF SOME COMPUTER CHIP. THAT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, 6TH TIME I HAD PROBLEM ON 7/12/12 I WAS THEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, May 15, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HIP AND NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HIP, RIGHT ARM AND RIGHT LEG. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,426.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Apr 20, 2012
I PURCHASED A NEW KIA SORENTO ON DECEMBER 14, 2011. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR COUPLE DAYS, I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT. IT HAD CONTINUED TO STAY ON SO I HAD NOTIFIED THE DEALER I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE A PASSENGER WAS NOT SITTING THERE AND ONCE SOMEONE SITS THERE AND BUCKLES THEIR SEAT BELT, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. IT WAS NOT TRUE AT ALL BECAUSE I HAVE HAD PASSENGERS SITTING THERE AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. SO AFTER FINDING SOME TIME, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO A DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOUSE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE AIRBAG CUSHION WAS MISSING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE WORKER WAS VERY WORRIED AND DID NOT WANT ME DRIVING THE CAR AROUND UNTIL THEY HAD INSTALLED THE AIRBAG CUSHION. I ALSO STARTED TO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL SYSTEM. THE FIRST TIME IT EVER HAPPENED, THE TANK OVERFILLED AND STARTED LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. I DID NOT KNOW THAT MY TANK WAS FULL BECAUSE THE GAS PUMP NEVER CLICKED OFF AND KEPT ON GOING. THEN THE NEXT FEW TIMES I WENT TO PUT GAS IN, THE PUMP KEPT STOPPING AS IF THE TANK WAS FULL. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO MANUALLY STOP THE PUMP, OR HOLD IT SO THE PUMP WOULD KEEP GOING. AFTER FINDING SOME TIME (AGAIN), I TOOK MY CAR IN. THE SERVICE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM SO I HAD TO TAKE THEM TO A GAS STATION AND SHOW THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AFTER SEEING THE PROBLEM, HE WAS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS EXACTLY WRONG WITH IT AND WAS ABLE TO FIX IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND I HAVE TO HOLD THE PUMP WHEN I AM PUTTING IN GAS. I NEED TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR THE THIRD TIME; NOT TO MENTION THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I TOOK MY CAR IN, IT WAS NOT FIXED IN ONE DAY, AND I EVEN HAD TO RENT A CAR. I HAD NOTIFIED THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT MY PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE NOT INFORMATIVE AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE SERVICE AT MY DEALERSHIP, AND NOT CONTACT THEM. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Apr 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,000.
Steering, Apr 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS WINDY AND THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED STRAIGHT. THE WIND WAS PUSHING THE VEHICLE EIGHT FEET INTO ANOTHER LANE AND EIGHT FEET BACK INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2012
WHILE TURNING ONTO BUSY STREET, ENGINE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF STREET. BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED AT SAME TIME. MUST HAVE FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR VEHICLE WILL STALL AND NOT ADVANCE FORWARD. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME BOTH ARE PRESSED AT SAME TIME. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO V6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, HE MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING WAS NORMAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO VERIFIED THE DEALERS ADVISEMENT AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY MIGHT HAVE DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE KEY SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH START FEATURE DID NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION AND WOULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE IGNITION FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BUT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2012
THE 2012 KIA SORENTO LX AWD WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 233 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REGULARLY HESITATES TO UP-SHIFT DURING SMOOTH ACCELERATION WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (FLAT ROADS, CRUISING SPEEDS), CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HANG IN THE 3500+ RPM RANGE. WHEN THE CAR HAS FINISHED ACCELERATING AND HAS REACHED CRUISING SPEED, MY FOOT BACKS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND IT STILL DOES NOT UP-SHIFT OR EVEN COAST. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATES AS THE ENGINE RPMS DROP BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN THE SAME GEAR WHEN MY FOOT LEAVES THE ACCELERATOR, RATHER THAN UP-SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN COUNTLESS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON PRIOR TO OWNING THIS VEHICLE. I DON?T NORMALLY MAKE USE OF THE "SPORTMATIC SHIFT" FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES "MANUALLY" UP-SHIFTING WITH THE SPORTMATIC SHIFT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO UP-SHIFT PROPERLY TO 5TH OR 6TH GEAR ONCE ACCELERATION IS COMPLETE AND CRUISING SPEED HAS BEEN REACHED. IT SEEMS AS IF EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS ILL-INFORMED OR JUST POORLY PROGRAMMED. ASIDE FROM THE SHEER ANNOYANCE OF THIS DEFECT FROM A DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE, IT ALSO IS RUINING THE FUEL ECONOMY OF THE VEHICLE. FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN EPA MILES-PER-GALLON RATING OF 21 CITY/28 HIGHWAY/23 COMBINED, I HAVE NEVER ONCE ACHIEVED TRUE CALCULATED FUEL ECONOMY OF OVER 20 MPG SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE. MY DRIVING PATTERNS ARE APPROXIMATELY 40% CITY AND 60% HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN A FAIRLY RURAL AREA WITH HARDLY ANY STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS NOT CARRYING EXCESS WEIGHT AND ALL 4 TIRES ARE INFLATED TO THE MANUFACTURER?S SPECIFICATION. I'VE SEEN ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER 2012 SORENTO DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 14, 2012
DURING SLOWING, AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THIS VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISES WHICH GO AWAY IF THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKES. THE NOISE EVENTUALLY STOPS AS THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. THIS KIA SORENTO APPEARS TO STOP NORMALLY, BUT THE NOISE DOES NOT INSTILL CONFIDENCE, NOR DOES THE NOISE SOUND NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH 6,615 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2012
AFTER PARKING THE CAR FOR 72 HOURS AT AN AIRPORT, UPON RETURN THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY, BUT THE WARNING LIGHT SHOWING A BATTERY APPEARED. WHILE DRIVING HOME, APPROX 8 MILES, THE CAR'S DASH FLASHED MORE WARNING SYMBOLS... ANTIBRAKES, AIRBAG, ETC AND THE WIPERS BEGAN TO SLOW. I PULLED OVER AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. I USED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON 2/13/2012 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AT NO CHARGE. THIS REPAIR, NECESSARY ON THIS 2012 KIA SORENTO, OCCURRED AT 6,607 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIRBAG LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND THE ENTIRE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND BRAKES WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 385. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jan 25, 2012
PLEASE MAKE BLIND SPOT SCORES PART OF VEHICLE SAFETY RATINGS. IT NEEDS TO BE AN ACTUAL SCORE. MOST TERRIFYING TEST DRIVE OF MY LIFE. 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS MY DREAM CAR. I HAD BUILT IT ONLINE 10 TIMES & WALKED IN -SPECS IN HAND- READY TO BUY. THE TEST DRIVE TO ME WAS A FORMALITY. THAT CHANGED DURING THE TEST DRIVE. NEW SUVS ARE ADDING HUGE PILLARS TO THE REAR OF VEHICLES, SHRINKING REAR THIRD WINDOWS, SHRINKING REAR TRUNK DOOR WINDOWS, PUSHING DRIVER SEATS TIGHTLY UP AGAINST THE DRIVER DOOR- TO SHRINK THE CAR AND BOOST GAS MILEAGE. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY ARE PURSUING "QUIETNESS" & PART OF THAT IS SHRINKING THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS. ADD THIS ALL UP & YOU CAN HIDE A SEMI IN THE BLIND SPOT OF THIS CAR. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A WINDOWLESS CARGO VAN W/O THE BIG CARGO VAN MIRRORS. THE MIRROR ARE SMALL LIKE WHAT BELONGS ON AN ECONOMY CAR. YES, MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WAS WELL ADJUSTED TO ONLY SHOW A SLIVER OF THE VEHICLE. I JUST COULDN'T SEE. AS I CONTINUED SUV SHOPPING, I FOUND THIS NEW DESIGN IN MANY NEW SUVS. GIGANTIC BLIND SPOTS ARE NOW THE NEW DESIGN. I COULDN'T SEE TO CHANGE INTO THE LEFT LANE. WHEN I LOOKED OVER MY SHOULDER MY FACE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE WINDOW, ALL I COULD SEE BEHIND ME WERE THE SEPARATING PILLARS. CHANGING LANES WAS A GUESS. I DID NOT BUY MY DREAM CAR, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I REALIZED THERE IS A NEW HIGHLY DANGEROUS DESIGN TREND IN MANY SUVS THAT NEEDS MONITORED. CONSUMERS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS RISK AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WE NEED A VISIBILITY RATING SCORE ON THE LABEL OF VEHICLES. I WALKED AWAY FROM DREAM CAR. BELLS AND WHISTLES DON'T MATTER IF YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED CONSUMER REPORTS AND REQUESTED A REPORT THAT SHOWS WHICH SUVS HAVE THE BEST VISIBILITY AND THEY HAD NOTHING ON THE TOPIC. IT IS NOT EVEN MONITORED. HOW CAN THIS DANGER BE BEING INSTALLED IN SO MANY VEHICLES AND GO UNCHECKED BY THE WHOLE SAFETY INDUSTRY? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 13, 2012
WHILE COMING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION OR PULLING INTO PARKING LOT SPACE AT LOW SPEED, I COULD HEAR AND FEEL BRAKES GRINDING TO A COMPLETE STOP, UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL I COULD HEAR AND FEEL WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE CALIPERS GRINDING AS THEY RELEASE. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP OR WHEN I AM ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. THIS NOISE OCCURRED JUST AFTER 10000 MILES. BEFORE THIS QUIET AND SMOOTH BRAKING. ON JANUARY 11, 2012 I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND SERVICE DESK PERSON SAID THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD LIKE TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I OBSERVED THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE OUT OF LOT AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES SERVICE MANAGER WALKED BACK IN AND TALK WITH SERVICE DESK PERSON. AFTER THREE HOURS OF WAITING THE SERVICE DESK PERSON INFORMED ME THE SERVICE MANAGER DID HEAR THE NOISE FROM THE BRAKES AND APPARENTLY THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH KIA CORP. THRU E-MAIL CONCERNING THIS MATTER TO SEE IF THE MANUFACTURER WILL COVER THE REPAIRS. AFTER A WHILE I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DESK THAT KIA HAS BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING GRINDING NOISE FROM BRAKES, AND THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM, AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN FOR A SOLUTION, ALSO PER KIA SO SAID THE DESK PERSON (VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL A SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND.) I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL ONE DAY IT MAY NOT STOP AT ALL. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST A QUICK REVIEW OF THIS MATTER AND HOPEFULLY A QUICK SOLUTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 4, 2012
I HAVE A 2012 KIA SORENTO. BOUGHT WITH 114 MILES ON IT. I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EX AWD MODEL W/POWER SHIFTING. I NOTICED AFTER DRIVING MY CAR SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. RPMS WOULD REACH UP TO 4000 AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT. I HAVE TO MANUAL SHIFT THE CAR INTO THE NEXT GEAR SINCE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS TROUBLE. IF I WANTED A STANDARD TRANSMISSION - I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ONE. *TR
Power train, Dec 16, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORING HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED AND AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND THE CONTACT WOULD THEN HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600.