Page 14 of 18 · complaints 651–700 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 →

Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2017104,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTOR SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY AND PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MEDVED KIA (11201 W INTERSTATE 70 FRONTAGE RD N, WHEAT RIDGE, CO 80033, (303) 421-0100). THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE TWO RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RESPOND, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE REPAIRS SINCE JUNE OF 2016. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Jun 20, 201773,986 milesNC

REAR TRUCK DOOR LIFT GATE SUPPORT, TAIL GATE SUPPORT. I WAS CLEANING OUT OUT OUR VEHICLE WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE BACK DOOR OPEN, AND NEXT THING I KNEW HE DOOR HAD SLAMMED DOWN ON ME. ONE OF THE LIFT GATE SUPPORTS GATEWAY AND BLEW AND COLLAPSED ON TOP OF ME. I SUFFERED FROM A MAJOR HEADACHE AND SOME MINOR BACK PAIN. I'M GRATEFUL THIS WAS NOT MY CHILD WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT WORSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE.. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND NO RECALL LISTED NOR COVERED WE HAD TO REPLACE AND REPAIR OURSELVES. WE PURCHURSED NEW ONES AND REPLACED TODAY WHEN WE RECEIVED THEM!

Engine
Filed Jun 19, 201778,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MORITZ KIA FORT WORTH 501 WEST FWY, FORT WORTH, TX 76116 (817) 560-6000). IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BE PRODUCED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A LOANER VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 08/30/17*LJ *CN

Engine
Filed Jun 16, 2017103,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD TICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SOUTHWEST KIA OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2017140,000 milesKY

MY ENGINE SEIZED UP 4 TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH TEMPORARILY CAUSING IT TO STALL. LAST WEEK, IT STARTED KNOCKING AND THE DEALER TELLS ME I NEED A NEW/USED ENGINE. THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 140,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICES EVERY 3000 MILES FOR THE MOST PART. I THINK IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ENGINE RECALL 17V224000

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2017108,000 milesKS

ON TUESDAY MAY 16TH, 2017 AT ABOUT 10:30 PM I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY KIA ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. I WAS DRIVING EAST ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH BUT I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER AND AVERTED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND FROM A SEMI. I HAD 5 OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR AS WE WERE COMING HOME FROM A BALL GAME. A GOOD SAMARITAN HAPPENED ALONG AND TOOK THE OCCUPANTS TO A WAFFLE HOUSE WHILE I WAITED WITH MY WIFE FOR A TOW TRUCK. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BITS OF METALLIC IN THE OIL AND SAID IT WOULD BE BEST TO HAVE IT REPLACED. WE HAD STARTED INVESTIGATING THE COST OF A USED ENGINE WHEN I READ ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT INVOLVING KIA AND OWNERS OF CARS WITH A 2.4 GDI ENGINE. THEIR COMPLAINTS PARALLELED WHAT I HAD JUST WITNESSED. THE RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS IS NHTSA 17V-224.

Engine
Filed Jun 1, 201781,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRANK CASE BEARING IN THE ENGINE DISINTEGRATED AND RUINED THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OXONDALE KIA IN FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT METAL FRAGMENTS ENTERED INTO THE ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT, WHICH CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

Engine
Filed May 31, 201775,000 milesTX

5/30/2017 I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY SO I GAVE MY CAR ABOUT HALF THROTTLE AND AS SOON AS THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE GAS AND ALL OF THE LIGHT WENT ON ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE RPM'S DROPPED COMPLETELY BUT EVERYTHING ELSE STAYED ON, LIGHTS,STEERING,BRAKES,INTERIOR ELECTRONICS, EVERYTHING BUT THE ENGINE ITSELF REMAINED ON. I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IT MAKE SOME WEIRD TICKING NOISES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY TURNED ON AND IT IDLED, BUT AS SOON AS I GAVE IT SOME GAS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL, DID NOT PHYSICALLY SEE THIS MY SELF

Engine
Filed May 24, 201782,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 20, 2017101,000 milesTN

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT IMPACTED IT, RATHER IT BROKE ALL BY ITSELF. IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND GLASS BEGAN TO TRICKLE INTO THE CAR INTERIOR.

Structure › Body
Filed May 19, 201756,000 milesTX

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF. I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND THE HANDLE JUST FELL OFF.

Engine
Filed May 16, 201795,000 milesPA

I HAVE CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ABOUT THIS CAR BURNING OIL. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. ONE TIME I HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN IT AND THEN AFTER DRIVING 400 MILES I HAD TO PUT ANOTHER 1 QUART OF OIL IN IT. I UNDERSTAND THEY COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4 ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE. ALL I AM ASKING IS FOR THEM TO DO A COMBUSTION TEST ON THE ENGINE WHILE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 11, 2017NC

THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT AND THE CAR WAS TOLLED.

EngineFire
Filed May 8, 2017103,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. A PASSERBY STAYED WITH THE DRIVER UNTIL A STATE TROOPER WAS PRESENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THE FLAMES WENT OUT OVER TIME. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF

Air Bags
Filed May 4, 201781,700 milesNH

CAR PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2014. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO ABOUT 81,700 MILES. TOOK TO KIA DEALER ON 5-4-17 AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW AIR BAG COSTING $1,032 AS EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. WARRANTY SHOULD COVER COST OF REPLACING AIRBAG AS IT IS PART OF THE VEHICLE AND IS FAULTY THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES. I AM NOT ABLE TO REPLACE AIRBAGS AT THIS TIME DUE TO COST. PLEASE HELP. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER ON THIS. SAFETY IS A PRIORITY.

Seats
Filed May 1, 201764,000 milesCA

BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TRIM THAT HOUSES THE SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT KNOBS ARE DESIGNED POORLY AND FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE. ONCE FAILURE OCCURS TRIM CAN MOVE EASILY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT SWITCHES TO BE ENGAGED CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2017108,000 milesCA

DRIVING AND THE CAR CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. NO LIGHTS NO WARNING.. ENGINE DIED.

Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2017100,000 milesNC

CAR NEVER GAVE A WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG, TOOK IT TO GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES AS NEEDED AND SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC WHILE MOVING FORWARD, THE CAR BEGAN BUCKING AND JUMPING, THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A CLUCK. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OFF AS THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY DRIVING SMOOTHLY. I HAD IT TOWEDT TO KIA AND IT WAS SAID THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE LIGHTS EVER CAME ON TO FOREWARN OF ANY ISSUES EVER WITH THE CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 25, 201788,000 milesTX

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. NO ACCIDENTS OR SUCH. CHECKED FUSES AND THEY ARE FINE. PLEASE HAVE KIA COMPLETE A RECALL. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH ALL KIA'S

Engine
Filed Apr 23, 201744,269 milesAZ

TOOK THE CAR 6 WEEKS LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. STARTING COLD, ENGINE MAKING NOISE ( LIKE TAPPATS, LOUD} THE SERVICE MAN AND KIA TECH. HEARD THE SOUND AGREED BUT THE WORK ORDER STATED LIKE SIMULAR ENGINE. NOW NO WARRANTY. EXPIRED . KIA REP. STATED MUST BRING THE CAR TO DEALER ( 70 MILES EACH WAY} AND HAVE $300 FOR TAKEN THE ENGINE APART AND DRIVE ROD IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY IF NEEDED. TRANPORTATION I ON MY OWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 21, 2017MS

TRUCK STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TO MY SURPRISED, WAS TOLD THAT I NEED AN ENGINE. IT WAS SHOCKING BECAUSE THERE WERE NO SIGNS PRIOR TO THE KNOCKING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. NO LIGHTS ON THE PANEL LIT UP, NO OIL LEAKS OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. THE MOST APPALLING THING IS THAT THEY QUOTED SEVERAL PRICES FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE? IT WAS NOTHING THAT I DID WRONG TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. IN RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT SHAVINGS FROM THE ENGINE COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANFACTURE DEFECT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT FINALLY STALLED. HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK ONE YEAR AGO AND IS NOT ABLE TO PNYSICALL PUSH THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. FINALLY, HE WAS ABLE TO COAST IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH IT HAS ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES, IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, IT WAS NOT CAUGHT OR IT WAS IGNORED DURING SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE? I DO HAVE A LAWYER WAITING TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS NOT GIVEN INFORMATION THAT SUPPORTED THE NEED OF A NEW ENGINE AT THE COST OF $8,000.00 WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE TRUCK.

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2017141,000 milesOH

BOUGHT MY SORENTO BRAND NEW. HAVE HAD FOR 5 YEARS AND HAVE 1 YEAR LEFT ON LOAN. I HAVE RECORDS OF TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF HEARING RATTLE LIKE A PAINT CAN.. YET THEY BLEW ME OFF. GAVE ME POOR EXCUSES FOR REASONING AND STATED THIS WAS NORMAL SOUND.. I FELT THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE YET BELIEVED THE TECHNICIAN OVER MY CONCERNS.. NOISES CONT FOR COUPLE YEARS YET NOTHING GOT WORSE. THEN SHE. I WAS AT 128 K MILES KIA SENDS OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ISN'T A NORMAL SOUND AND THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG YET THEY BELIEVED A ENGINE FLUSH WOULD GET RID OF CARBON BUILD UP AND ALL WOULD BE GOOD.. AFTER PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS NOTHING CHANGED AND I GOT LITTLE TO NO ASSISTANCE W THE NEW DEALER I TRAILED. I DON'T TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BC I HAD NO OPTIONS. NO MONEY LEFT TO FIX MY CAR IN WHICH CAST ME MONTHLY... REPAIRED ALL THINGS NEEDED BY THE KIA BOOK AND AS REQUIRED BY SERVICING W FUEL ADDITIVES AS RECOMMENDED YET NOW I HAVE A COMPLETE BLOWN ENGINE. STILL OWE AND NOW FIGHTING TO GET KIA TO HELP ME. THE RECALL LETTER ISN'T OUT YET THERE IS EXPECTED A RECALL.. I NOW HAVE 141K MILES AND NEED HELP.. I'M LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT HURT.. OUR ENGINE BLEW IN THE MOUNTAINS.. TOOK ME AAA.. 150 BUCKS AND 6HRS TO GET HOME W FRIENDS ASSISTANCE..

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2017AZ

LAST YEAR MY CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATER (WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME) MY CAR SINCE THEN HAS HAD OFF AND ON TIMES WHERE IT WOULD START TO STALL BUT NOT SHUT OFF AND IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THERE IS A RECALL FROM KIA COMING OUT IN MID MAY FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH HAS CAUSED SERVERAL ACCIDENTS IN OTHER CARS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE RECALL TO COME OUT BEFORE ANYTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM WHILE IT HAS BEEN IN THERE POSSESSION MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE KNOCKING THAT CAN BE BARELY HEARD IS "WITHIN REASON". I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE KIA CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT IF MY ENGINE DIED BEFORE THE RECALL THEN THEY WOULD REPLACED IT. I TOLD THEM MY MAIN CONCERN IS I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN THAT I DRIVE AROUND WITH AND DON'T WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY ENGINE DYING WHILE DRIVING AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT, WHICH I WILL BUT I AM PUTTING THIS IN IN THE MEAN TIME.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 13, 201750,222 milesMA

CAN NOT MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR IS STARTED. CAN NOT SHIFT CAR OUT OF SELECTED GEAR WHEN MOTOR IS RUNNING. ESC LITE IS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND BRAKE LITES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THESE DEFECTS OCCUR. SYMPTONS EXPERIENCED ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000. KIA DEALER REPLACED BRAKE LITE SWITCH-SAYS SUV DOES NOT FALL WITHIN POPULATION OF VEHICLES IDENTIFIED UNDER KIA SC098 RECALL. I AM OF THE OPINION MY SUV SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THIS KIA RECALL AND I SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. MY 2012 SUV SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000 / KIA SC098.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 201764,000 milesWI

MY ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE IN MOTION. THE FRONT END POPS DURING BRAKING, AND A BOLT HEAD BROKE OFF THE AWD HOUSING.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 201744,516 milesMA

I USED MOBILE ONE 5W30, I USED KIA OIL FILTERS (2 GENERIC), I HAD 44,516K MILES ON IT ON AUGUST 7, 2014. I DID 8 OIL CHANGES. MY CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE. NO WHITE OR BLACK SMOKE, NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS, NOT SLUGGISH, NOTHING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 65 WHEN I HEARD A FLUTTERING NOISE THAT VERY QUICKLY TURNED INTO A KNOCKING NOISE. I COULD BARELY PULL OVER WITHOUT ALMOST GETTING HIT TWICE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEVER DID ANY OIL CHANGES AND THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20K MILES WORTH OF SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. MY OIL WAS CHANGED AROUND MARCH 7, 2014. KIA MOTORS DOWN RIGHT REFUSED TO EVEN LOL AT IT. I HIRED AND ATTORNEY WHO WROTE A DEMAND LETTER AND 4 MONTHS LATER THEY DOWN RIGHT REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. MY CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR OVER 15 MONTHS. I REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA BACK IN LATE 2012 EARLY 2013. I WORE A LETTER TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND SHE PUT A USED ENGINE IN IT AND PAID FOR HALF. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'M HAPPY I HAVE MY CAR BACK BUT I DON'T TRUST IT. I HAVE THE TOP OF THE LINE SX AWD AND I ALSO ADDED THE AMBIENT LIGHTING AND TINTED THE FRONT WINDOWS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE SHEAR HELL AND HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN IT HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY. I'VE HAD IT BACK SINCE NOVEMBER 12, 2016 AND THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS STILL HAUNTING MY FAMILY.

Engine
Filed Mar 30, 201758,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CHECK OIL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF A SECOND TIME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 19, 2017800,000 milesNY

TAKATA RECALL- I HAD JUST STOPPED TURNED A CORNER AND THEN VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 201794,000 milesVA

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. WHILE PASSING A LARGE TRUCK ON A NARROW TWO LANE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN MIDWAY THROUGH THE PASS. MOMENTUM ALLOWED THE CAR TO COMPLETE THE PASS, BUT DUE TO THE SPEED AND WITHOUT POWER STEERING IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. FORTUNATELY I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD AND ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO A PULL OFF. MY LOCAL REPAIR GARAGE DETERMINED THE ENGINE IS SEIZED, WITH METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE OIL. HAVE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. TO DATE, NO RESPONSE. CAR IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2017147,000 milesMO

RECEIVED LETTER FROM KIA 'EXTENDING' THE WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES TO COVER CONNECTING ROD PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING LETTER AND CAR AT 147K THE ENGINE FAILED FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, KIA DEALER SAID IT WAS FAILED CONNECTION ROD. NOW KIA DENIES CLAIM SINCE PAST 120K. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL!! VERY UPSET THAT KIA KNEW OF DEFECT AND IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE OWNERSHIP.

Engine
Filed Mar 2, 201784,200 milesFL

VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, READY TO GET OFF OFF RAMP WHEN VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND TURNED OFF, ON 2-28-17 IN THE MORNING. WE TOWED IT TO THE KIA SERVICE. THEY DIAGNOSED SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 84K MILES AND THE OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE EVERY 3 TO 4 K. THEY REQUESTED ALL THE OIL SERVICE RECORDS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 22, 201795,000 milesOH

HAVE A 2012 SORENTO THAT CONSTANTLY NEEDS LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SHORT THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T FIGURE OUT. I HAVE FOUND THAT SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING ONE BULB THE OTHER BURNS OUT WITHIN A WEEK OR LESS. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY WILL ONLY LAST ONE MONTH BEFORE BURNING OUT. I HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNING OUT AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA HAS SAID THAT REPLACEMENT WITH OEM BULBS SHOULD FIX IT. THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR ME, AS I HAVE TRIED OEM AND AFTERMARKET BOTH WITH SAME ISSUE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH VIA FORUMS ONLINE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 18, 201755 milesIL

ENGINE FAILURE ENGINE STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH STRAIGHT HIGHWAYPUT FAMILY IN DANGER 2016 JUNE OIL LEAKING ALL OVER GROUND AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE PUSHED CAR TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY .140000 MILE PAST WARRANTY KIA REFUSE TO FIX.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 17, 2017123,000 milesTN

THE DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE BUT NOT FROM THE OUTSIDE. AFTER SPEAKING TO OTHERS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SORENTO.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 31, 2017IN

LETTER FROM KIA SAYING AIRBAG MAY BE ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED DEALER I TOLD THEM AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY SAID I'D BE CHARGED IF NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ACCORDING TO KIA. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVE FACED SAME ISSUE WITH THE SORENTO AND OTHER KIA MODELS. UNDER WARRANTY, DEALERS HAVE CHANGED OUT SEATS AND RESOLVED THE AIRBAG ISSUE. MOST CASES THOUGH, DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO CORRECT THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE! THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MADE A RECALL FOR KIA OWNERS. IF YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD INVESTIGATE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, I'M SURE YOU'D AGREE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 15, 201785,000 milesFL

ON 12/27 THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER WITH A COST OF ALMOST $300. THE HANDLE WAS IN HER HAND. YESTERDAY THE REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT WITHOUT THE HANDLE YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND AS SUCH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE REAR PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. WE HAVE CANALS NEXT TO THE ROAD IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THUS I AM REPORTING THIS. TWO DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLES IN TWO WEEKS. VERY DANGEROUS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 8, 2017TX

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 201795,000 milesIL

I NOTICED THAT UPON STARTING , MY KIA LET OUT BLUE SMOKE. I SAW NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO OIL ON THE GROUND, NO INDICATION OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE SMOKE. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 95,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE THE CAR AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE AND DRIVING FINE. THREE DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NO OTHER INDICATORS WERE PRESENT. I DROVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND IT SEIZED UP WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I CHANGED THE OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS & DID THE NORMAL SERVICE WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND REAR END. THE REAR END WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT. I DID NOT HAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES. I AM TRYING TO GET KIA TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THEY WILL COVER THE REAR END BUT NOT THE ENGINE AT THIS POINT. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Dec 29, 201662,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, ATTEMPTED TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201665,707 milesWI

THE ENGINE STARTED BURNING OIL, THE ENGINE HAD 65,707 MILES WHEN WE NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP PEOPLE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE AND THEY ONLY REBUILD IT. WE'RE SO UPSET AND NOT SUPPORTED SINCE WE ARE STILL PAYING A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NOT HAVING GUARANTEE O HOW LONG THIS FIX WILL WORK. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2016104,000 milesWI

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, STATIONARY, ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER OWNING IT FOR 10 MONTHS. 104,000 MILES, OIL CHANGES REGULAR, METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, NO OIL LIGHTS OR ENGINE LIGHTS ON. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 201623,072 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED CITY ROAD, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAVED INTO THE VEHICLE (DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE). THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HIT ANY SIGNIFICANT HOLES. THE INCIDENT WAS SPONTANEOUS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE BOTTOM BOLT OF THE STRUT HAD BROKEN AND FALLEN OUT.

Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2016111,000 milesFL

DRIVING ON A CITY HIGHWAY AT APPROX 40MPH, ENGINE DIED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST POWER STEERING ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO CALL TOWING COMPANY TO GET IT TO KIA MAIN DEALER. ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED (SPUN MAIN BEARING). IT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE USING MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC OIL. ENGINE WAS AT 111,000 MILES AND IS BEING REPLACED UNDER KIA 120K MILE EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY.

Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2016107,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 50 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE LOCATED IN THE OIL, AND THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 23, 201685,000 milesGA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 KIA SORENTO AND WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE 10 YR / 100,000 MILES WARRANTY ( A BIG PART IN THE DECISION ) TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. IN SEPTEMBER 2016 THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO START , THE MECHANIC STATED THE STARTER WAS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR EVALUATION, AND FURTHER MORE THE STARTER WAS NOT COVERED, EVEN. THOUGH THERE IS A LIST OF ITEMS NOT COVERED AND THE STARTER IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

Engine
Filed Oct 15, 201661,600 milesCA

WITHIN THE WEEK BEFORE WEDNESDAY, 10/12/16, BOTH MY WIFE AND I HEARD A "CLICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE NOTIFIED OUR LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC AND THEY, TOO, HEARD THE NOISE BUT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MAKE ANY DIAGNOSIS. THEN, ON THE DATE NOTED, AFTER ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC ON A 4-LANE HWY (HWY 101, SOUTH TOWARD SANTA ROSA, CA), AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ALARMING KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE / QUIT, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO BRAKE AND PULL OFF IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT WE COULD NOT PROCEED SAFELY, SO WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE US BACK TO LAKEPORT. THERE OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US OF THE NEED OF AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 201663,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE, THICK WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE AROUND THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2016SC

10/09/2016 DRIVING HOME FROM BEING EVACUATED BECAUSE OF HURRICANE MATTHEW, WITH MY DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW AND GRANDBABY. WHILE GOING DOWN THE HWY 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I FELT A THUMP UNDER MY FOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE LATER LEARNED IT WAS THE ROD THAT WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THANK GOD MY HUSBAND COSTED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE, IT WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED FOR HELP FROM A FRIEND THEY PICKED US UP. TOWED THE CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN MYRTLE BEACH. WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THEY ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR A NEW MOTOR. THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT!! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?? WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS. WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE?

Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2016118,200 milesTX

ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEAR A LOUD POP. THEN AFTER THAT I COULD HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR AT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A ROD KNOCKING, IF I COULD PROVIDE PROOF OF OIL CHANGES EVERY 7500 MILES THEY WOULD SEE IF KIA WOULD COVER THIS. MY OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 5000 BUT DONE AT HOME NOT A DEALERSHIP OR LUBE PLACE. I DID NOT KEEP MY RECEIPTS OF OIL AND FILTER BOUGHT. THEREFORE I WAS OUT OF LUCK. THEY COULD GET A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $6100 WITH A YEAR WARRANTY. BUT, THEY COULD NOT FIND A USED MOTOR. THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS SO RUDE TO ME ON THE PHONE AND EVEN USED FOUL LANGUAGE. HE SAID THAT I HAD NEVER SERVICED MY CAR WHICH IS NOWHERE NEAR THE TRUTH.

Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2016114,000 milesVA

SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE. STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN STOPPED. HAD IT TOWED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE BEARINGS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CRANKSHAFT. 114,000 MILES SO OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AT COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000.

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 →