Page 11 of 18 · complaints 501–550 of 880

2012 Kia Sorento complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

EngineFire
Filed Dec 5, 201849,500 milesWA

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, EVENTUALLY ENGULFING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2018113,000 milesVA

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING ON MY CAR. NUMEROUS BULBS, LENS, ETC... AND THEY BLOW WITHIN 2 DAYS. SO, WE DRIVE AROUND WITH ONE BULB. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS WIDESPREAD ON THESE MODELS, BUT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT. WE DO NOT HAVE $600 TO $1000 TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING AND ASSEMBLY. FOR WHAT I PAID, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOR AN ENGINEERING/DESIGN FLAW. THE LACK OF CONCERN KIA HAS SHOWN THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE SHOWS A DISREGARD FOR CONSUMER SAFETY. THIS WILL BE MY LAST KIA UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE.

Air BagsFire
Filed Nov 28, 201820 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE A FIRE GUN THAN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY ON FIRE, I GOT MY TWO DAUGHTERS OUT OF THE TRUCK AND FIVE MINUTES LATER THE WHOLE TRUCK EXPLOTED

Engine
Filed Nov 28, 201815,000 milesWA

FIRST TIME IN 2017 STARTED CAR AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, AS I DROVE IT GOT LOUDER, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DROVE IT TO KIA DEALER AND MOTOR HAD THROWN A ROD, KIA HONORED THEIR RECALL AND SUPPOSED NEW MOTOR WAS INSTALLED WITH 60 DAYS. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY, 15,000 MILES ON NEW MOTOR, AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I PULLED OVER WITHIN A MINUTE AND CALLED TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO KIA DEALER. THEY WERE HOPING IT WAS JUST A COIL, BUT TODAY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE MOTOR AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID KIA SAID I MUST HAVE DROVE IT A LOT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER MOTOR ??? I HAD BOUGHT THE EXTRA 20,000 MILE GUARANTEE, SO EVEN THOUGH THIS SUPPOSED NEW MOTOR ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES RUNNING TIME ON IT, MY MILEAGE IS AT 111,000 SINCE THE FIRST ONE BLEW AT 95,000. SO I SHOULD STILL BE GETTING ANOTHER MOTOR, BUT, AFTER READING ALL OF THESE ACCOUNTS, LOOKS LIKE I WAS SO LUCKY FOR IT NOT TO HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE, EVEN IF I GET IT BACK, I DON'T THINK I CAN PUT MY GRANDKIDS IN IT AGAIN, AND ITS ALMOST PAID OFF, LOVE MY CAR, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, SOON.

Engine
Filed Nov 27, 201888,700 milesWI

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 11-26-18, ABOUT A MILE OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY CAR MADE A REALLY HIGH PITCH SQUEAL SOUND FOLLOWED BY A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, PULLED IN TO THE CLOSEST BUSINESS TO IT KNOCKING AND IT HAD STALLED RIGHT WHERE IT WAS PARKED, HAVE I NOT PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT IT WOULD HAVE STALLED ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. HAD IT TOWED IN TO A DEALERSHIP ON THE MORNING OF 11-27-18, THEY SAID IT IS ENGINE FAILURE. THE 2012 KIA SORENTO DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT YET AND GETS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES SO THERE REALLY IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED. IT WAS A PERFECT RUNNING VEHICLE WITHOUT EVER HAVING ANY ISSUE WITH IT WHAT SO EVER, NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING GOING OUT EITHER, NOT EVEN A DASH INDICATOR LIGHT! HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE INTERNET, THERE'S A RECALL OUT FOR THIS TYPE OF THING BUT MY CAR ISN'T IN THE BATCH THAT WAS RECALLED???!!! I THINK THIS IS ABSURD!

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2018132,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A LACK OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MURRAY KIA (LOCATED AT 1402 WEST RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 279-3020) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 2018TX

"TAKATA RECAL". MY KIA 2012 WITH CURRENT MILLAGE 49,000. NO ACCIDENT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER. THEY SAID INTAKE MANIFOLD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IT COST AROUND $900.

Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2018GA

ENGINE IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL - A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MI. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY NEAREST KIA DEALER WHO ON THE FIRST VISIT A MONTH AGO TOLD ME I NEEDED A TUNE-UP (NEW PLUGS, PCV VALVE, ETC. I JUST HAD A TUNE-UP AT MY REGULAR SVC RPR SHOP IN MAY. KIA DLR TOLD ME THEY DID NOT USE OEM ARTS, SO I OK'ED THE TUNE-UP AND SUGGESTED WORK TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP. PER THEIR ADVICE, I BROUGHT IT BSCK THIS WK AFTER PUTTING ON 1000 MI. AND IT WAS AGAIN A QT. LOW. THEY HAD A TECH LINE CASE OPEN WITH KIA FACTORY ON FIRT VISIT AND WORKED WITH THEM AGAIN THIS WK. KIA'S ANSWER IS THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE UNTIL TI THROWS A ROD. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE AND I SAFETY. WE LIVE IN A HIGH TRAFFICE CITY (ATLANTA) AND WHEN THE ENGINE BLOWS, WE COULD BE INJURED BADLY OR EVEN KILLED. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. NOTE: ENGINE RECALL WAS DONE LAST YEAR OR SO, SO I AM TOLD THE ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED FOR LIFE ANY TIME IT FAILS STILL UNACCEPTABLE DUE TO THE THREAT OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Nov 16, 201885,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS FELL ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PETE'S CAR SMART KIA (4701 S SONCY ROAD, AMARILLO, TX 79119) FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 8, 2018140,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TURNED ON AND MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I HEAR THE ENGINE TURN OFF WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA GOING DOWN HILL AND SPEED LIMIT WAS 25 MPH SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE GEARS WERE STUCK AS WELL, IT WOULD NOT LET ME PARK THE CAR. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN CAR OFF AND IT WORKED. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING. I THEN WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN CAR ON LIGHTS ON AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICE ROUTINELY AND NO WARNING OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN.

Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2018145,000 milesVA

ENGINE BEARING FAILURE VERY SIMILAR TO ENGINE RECALL FOR THE OTHER TYPES OF KIA 2.4 SORENTO ENGINES. THIS ENGINE IS A 2.4L DOHC CVVT 4-CYL. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE NEEDS NEW ENGINE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 28, 2018164,500 milesOH

UPON EXITING THE FREEWAY ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP, MY ELDERLY FATHER, 9 YEAR OLD SON AND I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF AN ISSUE AND WE JUST TRAVELLED ABOUT 250 MILES. I TYPICALLY DRIVE ALOT IN THE CITY AS WELL. IN THIS CASE, I PULLED INTO THE HOTEL PARKING LOT (RIGHT OFF THE FREEWAY) AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THIS OCCURRED ON SATURDAY EVENING AND WE WERE COMING INTO TOWN FOR AN EVENT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO CONTACT WARRANTY FOREVER UNTIL MONDAY. FEARFUL, BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD OF THE MANY SPONTANEOUS FIRES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON MY VEHICLE TYPE, WE HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE IT TOWED AND INSPECTED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE IN MY VEHICLE, UNDER RECALL, JUST LAST YEAR. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, VERY SCARY. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO UPLOAD ANY NEEDED DOCUMENTATION AFTER AN INSPECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2018NC

I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS DEPLOYED FROM 2013-2015 AND DIDN'T HAVE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2018NC

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TURNING SIGNAL KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT'LL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN IT WILL STOP WORKING AGAIN.

Engine
Filed Oct 23, 201865,000 milesMA

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHTS PREVIOUS TO THE STALL. ON THE HIGHWAYS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN MANY WARNING LIGHTS ALL APPEARED AT THE SAME TIME OF THE STALL. UPON TOWING THE CAR TO A NEARBY SHOP WE WERE INITIAL INFORMED IT APPEARS THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 22, 2018PA

TAKATA RECALL: I PURCHASED MY CALL FEB. 11, 2017 AND STARTING MAY I STARTED HAVING ALL KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FUSED KEPT BLOWING OPEN EVERY OTHER DAY. NOW FAST FORWARD TO 2018 I GO IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FIND THAT MY ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL. THE MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ASAP. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE PASSED TWO WEEKS.

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2018100,000 milesOH

'TAKATA RECALL' I CONTINUE TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL UNDER MY HOOD BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND IT. IT COME AND GOES I HAD IT CHECKED WAS TOLD ALL FLUIDS ARE FINE AND NO LEAKS. I PRAY IT NEVER CATCHES FIRE AS I HAVE A GRANDSON WHO RIDES WITH ME OFTEN. ALSO MY REAR BREAK LIGHT GO OUT EVER TWO MONTHS NOT SURE WHY IT IS NOT JUST ONE SIDE THEY TAKE TURNS EACH SIDE. PRESSURE IN TIRES TEND TO GO LOW VERY OFTEN FOR NO REASON PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT WHAT IS REALLY WRONG BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS 🙏🙏 THE BURNING SMELL SCAMMERS THE MOST BUT I SMELL WHILE IN MOTION.

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2018117,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT MADE A TICKING SOUND, BUT DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE OIL WAS CHANGED RECENTLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED REGARDING AN OIL SHORTAGE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ENGINE LEAKS; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE SHOP THAT PERFORMED THE RECENT OIL CHANGE, BUT THEY HAD INCOMPLETE RECORDS OF THE OIL CHANGE, EVEN WITH THE CONTACT HAVING A RECEIPT. THE DEALER (GRIECO KIA OF DELRAY BEACH, 2255 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, (866) 858-7513) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN ENGINE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 201879,000 milesCA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. LOCAL KIA DEALER CLOSING SO NOT TAKING APPOINTMENTS. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH RECOMMENDED CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. THEIR COMPUTER SAID HIGH RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG. LIGHT IS ON WHETHER SITTING IN THE CAR OR NOT SITTING IN IT BUT IGNITION ON. AS LONG AS CAR IS ON LIGHT IS ON. IT HAS ABOUT 79,000 MILES.

Engine
Filed Oct 5, 201883,000 milesFL

OUR 80,000 MILE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE OUT OF THE BLUE, NO WARNING. WE HAD TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT PART OF THE GDI ENGINE RECALL, WE HAVE A DUAL OVERHEAD CAM (DOHC) ENGINE. THE DEALER SHIP REFUSED ASSISTANCE AS IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, THOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 4, 2018144,000 milesOH

VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TURNING ONTO AN INTERSECTION AT NIGHT , BURST INTO FLAMES, POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AS WELL , VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES INSTANTLY AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2018112,000 milesDE

FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED, UPON INSPECTION THE HARNESS WIRE TO HEADLIGHT BURNED AND MELTED AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE BURNED. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO COMPUTER AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO KIA OWNERS OF NUMEROUS MODELS. APPARENTLY KIA INSTALLED A ODD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS HEADLIGHTS AND BURNS OUT WIRING . VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE CAUSING TO VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE LIGHTS AS WELL. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WON'T REPAIR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM CREATING A EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNER FOR A BADLY DESIGNED ARRANGEMENT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON I 95 IN DELAWARE THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET HAPPENING ONLY ON KIA VECHICLES

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2018123,000 milesTX

THE KIA WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY IN JUNE OF 2018 WHEN THE ENGINE JUST FROZE UP AND STOPPED WORKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE CAR WAS FULL OF OIL AND BEING PROPERTY MAINTAINED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN KILLEEN. INITIALLY, THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE SAID THE KIA ENGINE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. I CALLED KIA CORPORATE AND ONCE THEY WERE INVOLVED, I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A SHORT BLOCK AND IT COULD BE REAPAIRED. KIA CORPORATE HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR JUST OVER HALF THE REAPAIR (AROUND $3500) IF I PAY THE OTHER PART (AROUND $2500). THEY KEEP PUSHING OUT THE DATE THE NEW SHORT BLOCK WILL BE DELIVERED. AFTER RESEARCHING KIA SORRENTO RECALL ONLINE, I FIRMLY BELIEVE MY KIA SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE OTHER 2012 KIA SORRENTOS.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 29, 2018154,601 milesTX

THIS KIA SORENTO CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE DRIVER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND SHE COULD SEE SMOKE AND A FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE UNHARMED HOWEVER THE EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM DALLAS AUTO AUCTION BY MAS MOTORS IN DALLAS TX. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS KIA OF ARLINGTON.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Sep 25, 2018100,000 milesME

A LITTLE AFTER 100,000 MILES, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON. I SIMPLY BOUGHT MORE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THEM UNTIL ONE DAY I FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. I WAS ABLE TO BUY A NEW HARNESS AND HAVE IT WIRED IN. THEN, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE CONNECTOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS STARTING TO COME APART, WITH THE LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILING ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME NOW - SO I ASSUME THAT THIS ONE IS ALSO ON THE WAY TO MELTING AS IT IS FOLLOWING THE SAME MANNERS AS THE DRIVER SIDE HAD PRIOR TO MELTING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 25, 201896,000 milesMD

SUNROOF RANDOMLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. JUST THE FRONT PORTION THAT OPENS UP HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2018192,892 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNION CITY AUTO MALL (4080 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 964-3825) AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,892.

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 201899,700 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE "ENGINE THREW A ROD". THE DEALER (STOKES KIA, 202 S. GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD, SOUTH GOOSE CREEK SC, 29445, (843)-572-7300) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,700.

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 201877,500 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A JUMPSTART. THE ENGINE MADE CLICKING NOISES BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BUT EVENTUALLY STALLED AGAIN AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STARTED CLICKING BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME AT 10 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (VIVA KIA BASSETT PLACE, 5800 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925 (915) 834-2300) WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.

Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2018FL

MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE BUT YET NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. WHY IS THIS? WHAT ARE WE DOING TO FIX THIS?

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 13, 2018GA

HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL WORK ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT THEY WON'T. OFTEN TIMES, WE'VE HAD TO PULL OVER, LIFT THE HOOD, MESS WITH THE WIRING AND THEN IT WILL WORK FOR EITHER 3 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. EACH TIME WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANT TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A FEE AND THEN CHARGE A FEE TO REPAIR.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 12, 2018100,000 milesVA

2012 KIA SORENTO WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP ON REGULAR BASIS. OCTOBER 7, 2017 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT TO THE GROUND. CALLED KIA AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING! STATED THEY DID NOT DEAL WITH CONSUMERS AND TO DEAL WITH MY INSURANCE. INSURANCE ONLY PAID BOOK VALUE AND WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE WITH THAT AMOUNT! I DID EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK AND KEPT MY KIA IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND THEY DID NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! I HAD A APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE ON MONDAY AND IT BURNT ON SATURDAY! I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD ISSUED A RECALL AND I AM SURE THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AT SERVICE ( I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE). MY NIECE WAS DRIVING FROM KENTUCKY TO MY HOME IN VIRGINIA (HER VEHICLE WAS BROKE DOWN AND THE DRIVE WAS A HOUR AWAY). THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AT WHICH TIME SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THEN THE VEHICLE DIED AND STARTED SMOKING. IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND SHE CALLED ME AND I STARTED ON MY WAY TO MEET HER. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO RAISE THE HOOD BUT TWO GUYS HAD STOPPED TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP AND ONE SEEN THE RED OF THE FIRE IN THE CRACK OF THE HOOD AND ADVISED HER TO GET AWAY. WITHIN SECONDS FLAMES ENGULFED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND BURNT COMPLETELY BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD ME WHEN I ARRIVED THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. WE WERE BLESSED THAT MY NIECES 6 MONTH OLD WAS WITH ME AND NOT IN THE VEHICLE WITH HER BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET HER OUT! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AND I

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 12, 201890,000 milesOH

MY HEADLIGHT PIGTAIL CAUGHT ON FIRE...I HAD IT REPLACED ...REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS IN IT AND NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE PIG TAIL CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN...THEY SAID IT MUST NE A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL START AT 200$ TO LOOK AT IT TO FIX....MU CAR ISNT THAT OLD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Sep 11, 201872,000 milesOH

MY SORENTO MADE A CLANGING NOISE THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY ROAD IN CINCINNATI WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS IN MOTION, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT BEFORE IT DIED.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 5, 201878,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED TO HIGH. MINUTES LATER, THE TOP OF THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE ENTIRE HOOD ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2018106,238 milesSC

ENGINE SHUT OFF GOING DOWN INTERSTATE, MECHINCE SAY IT SHOT LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES TOWED IN ENGINE GONE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE JENKINS AUTO GARAGE IN TENNESSEE

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 25, 2018NC

FRONT HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY SHORT OUT I HAVE REPLACED BULBS CONNECTOR WIRE MULTIPLE

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 2018100,000 milesTX

SUN ROOF SHATTERED

EngineFire
Filed Aug 23, 2018100,000 milesPA

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (~30 MPH) WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE HOOD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, EXITED VEHICLE AND IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED WITHIN MINUTES. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY KIA UNDER WARRANTY JANUARY 2018; LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER THE STARTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR FAILED TO START WHEN PARKED AND OFF. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED MARCH 2018 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER AND A STRONG GAS ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CAR FIRE OCCURRED 2 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PICKED UP FROM THIS REPAIR.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 23, 2018142,000 milesGA

MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF A FEW MONTHS AGO. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IS WAS A SHORT BECAUSE IT WENT OFF ANYTIME I MOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AROUND. I HAD MY SERVICE TECH CHECK IT A FEW TIMES, AND HE RESET IT. HE EVENTUALLY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO KIA. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE OCS MAT WAS BAD. IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. I WAS QUOTED $2601.29 FOR JUST THE PART! THEY SAID I NEEDED THE WHOLE CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. IMO, THEY SHOULD PUT A BACKUP SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THIS IF THEY'RE GOING TO PUT FAULTY PARTS IN THEIR SEATS. OR, THEY SHOULD CONSTRUCT A BETTER WAY TO REPAIR THESE WITHOUT A COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT. IT BASICALLY MEANS, IF I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WOULDN'T THINK ANYONE IS PRESENT IN THE SEAT. SO, IT WOULDN'T TRIGGER THE AIRBAG ON THAT SIDE. I'VE CONTEMPLATED BUILDING A BYPASS TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF EVEN IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT DURING A COLLISION. IT WAS SO BAD FOR THE 2009 VERSION, THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BYPASS FOR $50. BUT, THERE'S NO GOOD DOCUMENTATION ON THE 2012 MODEL. I DO HAVE 142,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BUT, I WOULD BET THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS BEEN USED ABOUT 30% OF THAT. SO, THIS IS A CASE OF A BAD PART. I HAVE PAMPERED THIS CAR. IT STILL LOOKS NEW. I PAID IT OFF AND HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT BLEW UP. NOW, I'M CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF IT AND BUYING A NEW CAR. I'D PREFER TO DRIVE FREE FOR AWHILE. BUT, I'M CERTAINLY NOT PAYING $3000 TO FIX THIS. I KNEW THEY HAD A RECALL ON

EngineFire
Filed Aug 22, 201879,000 milesWA

ON 8/18/18 THE ENGINE OF MY KIA SORENTO BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND OUR DOG. I HAD MY SIX YEAR OLD AND ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS AND MY 9 YEAR OLD PUG IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. THE ENTIRE ENGINE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES WITH THEM SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE HOOD AT ALL SIDES. I YELLED FOR MY 6 YEAR OLD TO GET OUT BUT SHE FROZE AND WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING, SAYING "I CAN'T, I CAN'T GET OUT". I FIRST GOT MY ONE YEAR OLD OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND RAN AROUND AND PULLED MY 6 YEAR OLD OUT. I GOT THEM AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN WENT BACK AND GOT MY DOG OUT OF THE FRONT SEAT. THE FIRE SPREAD WITH SUCH SPEED AND THE THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS SO STRONG. THANK GOD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FAMILY OUT AS THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT MY VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS, MELTING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR THAT WE WERE SITTING IN JUST MINUTES PRIOR. NOTHING IN THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGEABLE. THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT OF CHUCK OLSON KIA IN SHORELINE, WA. I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I SMELLED GAS AND WANTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT IT. THEY HAD REPLACED MY ENGINE ABOUT SIX WEEKS PRIOR UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WAS THE INSTILLATION OF THE ENGINE OR IF THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF KIA ENGINES BURSTING INTO FLAMES.

EngineFire
Filed Aug 21, 2018101,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BLACK SMOKE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 20, 201890,000 milesPR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE FRONT PANEL TURNED ON WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 90,000 MILES WITH NO ACCIDENT OR OTHER ISSUE. THE KIA DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LET ME KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE AND THE AIR BAG AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $800 IN PR. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. I CONSIDER THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS NOT RELATED TO AN ACCIDENT OR ANY EVENT CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER. INSTEAD, THE ISSUE JUST APPEARED WITH TIME AND NOW OUR SAFETY IS AT RISK.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 14, 201820 milesIL

CAR REPAIRED BY RECALL DUE TO NOISES IN THE MOTOR. MOTOR CHANGED. NOISES CONTINUED. CAR BROKE DOWN IN THE HIGHWAY. LOST POWER AND IT WAS IN FUMES AND SMOKE. LIVES IN DANGER. CAR TOWED TO KIA SERVICE IN LIBERTYVILLE , IL. STAFF INDICATED THAT PISTONS BLEW UP.. WHOLE MOTOR CHANGED AGAIN. AFTER THREE WEEKS CAR DID NOT WORK AT AND.. BROKE IN THE NIGHT WHILE MY WIFE WAS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF AN EMERGENCY CALL TO A HOSPITAL. KIA TOWED AGAIN. MOTOR CHANGED THIRD TIME. AT SERVICE SINCE JULY 19, 2018. IT HAS BEEN PROMISED TO BE DELIVERED TO ME AGAIN TOMORROW WEDNESDAY 8/14/208. FAMILY AND MYSELF AFRAID TO RIDE THE KIA SORENTO AGAIN. CAR WITH NOISES SINCE 2016. THEY HAVE BEEN USING REBUILT PART TO CHANGE THE MOTOR. CURRENT MILES 82,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 201880,989 milesTN

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED MY SORENTO WAS MAKING A LOUD TICKING SOUND AND WAS STRUGGLING TO CHANGE GEARS. I PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY AS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND CAR TURNED OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THIS DESCRIPTION FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE ENGINE RECALLS ON 2012 SORENTO'S, BUT KIA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 80,989 MILES ON IT. MY MECHANIC REACHED OUT TO KIA TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE SEIZED, AND BELIEVED IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE AND THEY HUNG UP ON HIM.

Structure › BodyFire1 injured
Filed Aug 13, 201892,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 50 ABOUT 20 MILES FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 55 MPH. STEAM/SMOKE FROM COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OTHER MOTORIST TRAVELING WEST BOUND STARTED HONKING AND POINTING TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING IS WHEN WE REALIZED THE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE. AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THAT CAR CAUSING 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE BACK CALF ON MY LEFT LEG. THE CAR WAS IN TOTALLY IN FLAMES WITHIN 5 TO 10 MINS.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 10, 201888,358 milesGA

SRS, AIRBAG MODULE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY REPLACING BULBS JUNE 2018, 88KMIKES AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT RESETTING. DEALER STATED IT IS THE AIRBAG MODULE, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $750-$800 TO REPAIR AND RESET

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 2018120,000 milesVA

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. CODE SAYS IT IS A PASSENGER SEAT BODY SENSOR MAT. KIA HAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR MANY AIRBAG ISSUES, BUT SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2018123,000 milesNC

I HAVE A 2012 SORENTO AND THE ENGINE DIED IN IT AT 123K MILES. I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT I KEPT UP AND MAINTAIN THE MAINTENANCE ON IT. I DONE TUNE UP ,OIL CHANGES FLUSHES THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. MY SORENTO HAS BECOME A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY AND THE KIDS CALL HER MISS KIA!!😂. I LOOK FOR RECALL AND DIDN'T SEE ANY FOR MY SORENTO. ITS GONNA COST ABOUT 5K TO FIX OUT OF POCKET😱😱😓. WHICH MEANS ITS GONNA TAKE AWHILE TO GET HER UP AND ROLLING AGAIN. IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN. I WISH YOU GUYS WOULD CONSIDER FIXING OUR CAR. IM NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS BUT THE KIA SHOPS DIDN'T SEE THE ENGINE GOING EITHER. WE ARE RENTING CARS TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK WEEKLY AND ITS HARD TO SAVE WHEN YOU KEEP SPENDING TO TRAVEL TO WORK AND FROM WORK. PLEASE HELP US GET MISS KIA UP AND ROLLING AGAIN. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL AT [XXX] AND MY NAME IS [XXX]. THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2018123,109 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FRANK FLETCHER KIA, 2901 SE MOBERLY LN, BENTONVILLE, AR 72712, (479) 845-4343), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,109.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2012 Kia Sorento → · Every Sorento year → · How the figures are calculated →