Page 17 of 18 · complaints 801–850 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 →

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Apr 19, 201444,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. WHEN I LOOKED BACK, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BULGE IN THE GLASS GOING UPWARD LIKE THE GLASS EXPLODED, NOT IMPLODED AS IT WOULD IF SOMETHING STRUCK IT. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 15, 201444,000 milesMO

AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 15 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AT THE TIME OF TURNING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL THE CAR SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. LOSS OF CONTROL THEN OCCURRED OF THE STEERING WHEEL (TO STIFF TO TURN) ALONG WITH A DIFFICULT BREAKING PROCESS CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROADWAY. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP BY PLACING AN EXTREME AND INCREASED FORCE ONTO THE BREAK PEDAL BEFORE A BRICK PILLAR WAS STRUCK HEAD ON. *TT

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 201442,000 milesWI

ON MARCH 14, 2014 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY I HEARD A NOISE IN MY ENGINE. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SO I COULD HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN MY ENGINE SHOT ONE OF THE ENGINE RODS THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE BLOCK. THIS CAUSED A LARGER THAN A SILVER DOLLAR SIZED HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND SEPARATED THE ENGINE FROM WHERE IT IS SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. KIA AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO FIX MY VEHICLE WHICH IS COMPLETELY COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY AS I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY IN MY VEHICLE ON 3/28/14 I WAS TOLD TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE LATER THAT AFTERNOON. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK THAT THE MECHANIC WAS ON THE PHONE WITH ONE OF KIA'S ENGINEERS BECAUSE OF A NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE. THEY ARE NOW RE-REPLACING A REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY IN MY VEHICLE WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE ISSUES KIA IS HAVING WITH THEIR ENGINES. I STILL DO NOT HAVE AN ETA AS OF 4/9/14 OF WHEN I WILL HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AS I AM UNSURE THEY HAVE EVEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE FORCE BEHIND THE ENGINE FAILURE AND THEY ARE UNSURE WHEN ANOTHER REMANUFACTORED ENGINE WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 27, 201413,000 milesAL

I HAVE A 2012 SORENTO THAT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A CONSTANT HEADACHE. JUST SOME MINOR ISSUES HAVE BEEN A HEADLIGHT THAT CONTINUOUSLY HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SHORT THAT THEY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T GET TO THE BOTTOM OF. I MEDIUM ISSUE THAT IS BECOMING A HEALTH HAZARD IS THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSING MOLD TO GROW. AN EVEN BIGGER ISSUE IS THAT WHEN WITH SPEEDING UP FAST LIKE WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSTATE OR SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY STALL AND I HAVE TO MAKE MY WAY OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND MY KIDS. I LIVE IN A CITY AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE NOT HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT YET. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. I HAVE CONTACTED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND BEEN TOLD TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP. I GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY BASICALLY TELL ME I'M CRAZY AND NOTHING IS WRONG. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BY BEING IN A ACCIDENT BEFORE SOME ACTION IS TAKEN. HATE TO BE SO BLUNT BIT BEING NICE ABOUT THE ISSUE HAS YET TO WORK!!!! *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 26, 20149,000 milesCA

THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES! WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, ENGINE DIES, POWER STEERING OUT, POWER BRAKES OUT. AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL, CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART, AND FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR WEEKS. KIA DEALERSHIP FINDS NOTHING WRONG AND NO "CODES" TO INDICATE THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 26, 201441,500 milesNJ

MY 2012 KIA SORENTO COMPLETELY STALLED IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE HIGHWAY(SPEEDS OF 55-60) PULLED INTO MY JOBS PARKING LOT AND ALL THE LIGHTS ELECTRONICS STAYED ON BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND IT TURNED ON FINE. NOW ITS AT THE DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS DRIVING FINE. THEY CLAIM NO CODES ON DIAGNOSTICS AND SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER TEST DRIVING IT. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR BECAUSE NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND A WORRISOME ONE. LETS GET ON KIA ABOUT THIS TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 25, 201424,000 milesAZ

THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING AT 35-45 MPH AND SLOWED TO TURN AND MY ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY STALLED AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS AROUND ME SO I BRAKED, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND CAR SEEMED TO REBOOT FINE. TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN EXCEPT I WAS DRIVING AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED, 15 MPH. I WAS READY TO TAKE A TURN AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP IN THE TURNED POSITION (BUT NOT FULLY TURNED) AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I BRAKED THE CAR AGAIN AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS FOR ALL PASSENGERS OF THE CAR AND EVERYONE WHO'S DRIVING AROUND ME! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 201437,000 milesCO

AT 5:40PM MST ON 03/20/2014, I WAS APPROACHING A 4-WAY INTERSECTION IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH INTENDING TO STOP AND THEN MAKE A RIGHT TURN. TRAFFIC GOING MY DIRECTION HAD STOP SIGNS AND CROSS TRAFFIC DID NOT. THERE WAS ONE OTHER CAR APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION FROM MY LEFT. WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF (ENGINE, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC).IT HAPPENED SILENTLY AND WITHOUT DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE NOISE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY STOP OR TURN AT THE INTERSECTION AS MY CAR HAD LOST POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A REST, IT WAS AT A DIAGONAL, PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION AND FACING THE WRONG WAY TOWARD ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO MY RIGHT (THERE WAS NONE AT THE TIME). THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND THE IGNITION WAS STILL IN THE FULLY-FORWARD ENGAGED POSITION, BUT THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE MOTOR WAS DEAD. THE OTHER CAR THAT HAD BEEN APPROACHING TO MY LEFT WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID MY CAR, AND HE DROVE AROUND ME AND CONTINUED ON. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. FOR THE FIRST 15 SECONDS OR SO, I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE TO PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON DESPITE MY TURNING THE THE IGNITION OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS ABOUT TO GET OUT AND CALL A TOW TRUCK WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON. AT THAT POINT, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART TO CAR AND DRIVE

Suspension
Filed Mar 20, 201423,000 milesCA

MY 2012 KIA SORENTO AT LOW SPEED,STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND THEN RESTART. SO GLAD I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND AS MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF SO SUDDENLY. MY CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND LOW MILEAGE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN. THANK GOD NO ACCIDENTS, YET. BUT IM WORRIED TO DRIVE IT ANTICIPATING FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE KIA SERVICE SHOP TWICE AND THEY ARE CLAIMING TO FIX IT. ALSO TWO WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DRIVE TO WORK AND THE STORE ON A WEEKLY BASIS, NO REASON A TWO YEAR OLD, BOUGHT BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN 2012 SHOULD ALREADY NEED A SHOCK REPLACEMENT. I FEEL LIKE I WAS SOLD A LEMON. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 18, 201417,500 milesNY

ON OCTOBER 14,2013 AS I WAS TRAVELING IN STOP AND START TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD AT LEAST 5 FEET WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT TOOK MUCH EFFORT TO AVOID CRASHING. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON MARCH 16,2014 WHILE IN A PARKING LOT LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT. AGAIN WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD 8 TO 10 FEET. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 11, 201429,044 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR LOCKS OUT AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE REASON FOR THE SHUTDOWN. THIS IS MY FAMILY CAR WHERE 3 SMALL CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED IN AND I AM SCARED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY OR THE PUBLIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IN ONE OCCASION A VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE TO PREVENT FROM COLLIDING INTO ME. THE DEALER HAS SIMPLY SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY HAVE NO CODES ON. KIA MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TO SEE IF THAT WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT ARE UNSURE WHAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 27, 201421,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT SATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 10, 201446,901 milesNY

THE POWER SUN ROOF BLEW OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT.THOUSAND OF SMALL GLASS PIECES WERE SCATTERED IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR.OUTSIDE FL TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES. *TR

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Feb 1, 201435,000 milesTX

THE MOONROOF (STATIONARY SUNROOF THAT DOES NOT OPEN) OVER THE 2ND ROW SEAT EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A ROCK OR ANY OTHER DEBRIS. THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT SOUND AND GLASS SHOT OUT THE TOP AND FELL DOWN INTO THE CAR. IT FRACTURED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES...UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 23, 201480,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SEAL FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 13, 201416,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT A ROCK HIT THE GLASS AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 7, 201411,600 milesCA

ON 12-25-2013, NOTICED THAT THE SIDE MARKET LIGHTS REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY PUSH BUTTON START. CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL PUSH BUTTON ATTEMPTS. NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY STOP BUTTON. ENGINE FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY PLAYING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB AND DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. "UNABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE BY PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY PUSH BUTTON STOP" PROBLEM CONTINUED, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US W/O A FIX. TOMORROW I WILL BE CONTACTING KIA MAIN OFFICES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 30, 201355,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING THE SORRENTO, IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR OTHER INCIDENTS SINCE THEN. ONE DAY THERE WERE TWO OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN ONE DAY. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 26, 201313,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 03/12/14*LJ *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Dec 23, 2013VT

2012 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HIS FOOT ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Steering
Filed Dec 19, 201344,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC SO WE WEREN'T DRIVING VERY FAST, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED RESTARTING IT. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND DROVE NORMAL AFTER THAT. *TR

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 15, 201324,430 milesCO

THIS PAST FRIDAY AT ABOUT 2 PM I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO DOWN HIGHWAY 50 WHEN SUDDENLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY SUNROOF VIOLENTLY EXPLODED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE AT THAT MOMENT WHAT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED. WHEN I CLIMBED UP TO LOOK I FOUND THAT THE FRONT PORTION OF MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. I LOOKED THROUGH THE GLASS BUT FOUND NO ROCK OR ANY OTHER KIND OF OBJECT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. FORTUNATELY THE SUNROOF SHADE WAS CLOSED OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN GLASS. I CALLED THE KIA SERVICE DEPT. WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MGR. I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND HE TOLD ME A ROCK MUST HAVE FLOWN UP AND HIT IT. NOW I FIND THAT HIGHLY UNLIKELY. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, 57 DEGREES AND VISIBILITY WAS GREAT. I WAS ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF ROAD DOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WASN'T ANY BUILDINGS ON EITHER SIDE OF ROAD AND ONLY A FEW CARS SCATTERED IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME. I?M PRETTY FOCUSED WHEN I DRIVE SO I THINK IF SOMETHING WOULD HAVE FLOWN UP IN FRONT OF ME THAT COULD HAVE COME DOWN AND SMASHED MY SUNROOF IN I?M ALMOST CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE SEEN IT. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THIS HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I THEN ASKED HIM IF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER MY BASIC 5 YEAR/ 60,000 MILE WARRANTY AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT. SO NOW I?M STUCK PAYING A $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY INSURANCE TO COVER THE DAMAGE. YOUR AGENCY REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS ISN'T FAIR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 13, 201340,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANORAMIC MOON ROOF BECAME SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOON ROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 13, 201325,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND FOR NO REASON MY CAR JUST STALLED I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT . *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 21, 201330,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 25, 201312,000 milesCA

KIA SORENTO STALLED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT LOW SPEEDS OF 10-15 MILES PER HR. THERE WAS NO SOUND OR DAMAGE. DEALER NOT ABLE TO RECREATE SITUATION SO NO REPAIRS. THIS HAS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES IN LAST TWO YEARS. SYMPTOMS ARE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND CAR ENGINE STALLS. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN PARKING AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON WOULD RE-START THE ENGINE. PLEASE FOLLOW UP AS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS CAR CAN STALLS IN MOVING TRAFFIC. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 4, 201327,000 milesPA

FOLLOW-UP: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10544920 AFTER A SINGLE CONVERSATION WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS TOLD TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I CHOSE A NEW "CLOSER" DEALERSHIP THAT WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. STATED I HAD A KIA CASE #, I ARRIVED AND IN A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR, MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THAT IS GREAT JOB ON THE TECHNICIANS PART, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE OR NOT AND NO DISCUSSION OTHER THAN, THE "PIN WHICH HOLDS THE VEHICLE IN PARK WAS BROKEN". SOME BACKGROUND: I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE JULY OF 2011, HAD THE FIRST SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO "BROKEN PART" IN MARCH OF 2012, NOW IN SEPT OF 2013, I HAD THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN. BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, I CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK TO THE NEXT LEVEL UP KIA CONSUMER REP, BUT WHAT I WANTED WAS TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE OFF THE LOT (MY CHILDREN REFUSE TO GET IN THE VEHICLE FEARING FOR THEIR SAFETY). THAT EVENING I RECEIVED A CALL AND THE GENTLEMAN WAS NICE AND APOLOGETIC, BUT NOT HELPFUL AND NOW MY CASE IS RESOLVED. I MENTIONED THE MULTIPLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTS AND IF THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP CALL, BUT NEVER DID. SEEMS LIKE A CHRONIC ISSUE THAT KIA NEEDS TO RESOLVE OR SOMEONE WILL SERIOUSLY GET INJURED IF NOT ALREADY. SO FAR, IT MIGHT BE EASY TO DETERMINE, BUT I AM NOT EVEN 30% SATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IT WILL BE THE LAST KIA I EVER

Power Train
Filed Sep 23, 201327,000 milesPA

PROBLEM: 7 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO PULL CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITHOUT KEYLESS IGNITION OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL AND/OR REVERSE (WE DIDN'T TRY PULLING FURTHER DOWN THE SHIFT COLUMN) WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION/VEHICLE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF OUR SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET AND STOPPED RESTING AGAINST THE CURB ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD (DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS TO STOP THE HEAVY VEHICLE AND LATER TO FIND OUT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DEPRESSED, BY MY 7 YEAR OLD SINCE THAT WAS AS FAR AS SHE COULD PUSH IT). THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER RETURNING FROM GROCERY SHOPPING AND THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN ALL THE WAY WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD IN THE REAR CARGO AREA "HELPING" US WITH THE GROCERIES. LUCKILY NO BODY WAS INJURED AND NEIGHBORS HELPED STOP TRAFFIC AS I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO GET MY VEHICLE TO STOP AND MY CHILDREN TO SAFETY. I UNDERSTAND THAT I SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE AND CHILDREN SHOULD NOT PLAY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF A VEHICLE, BUT THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS (AFTER SEARCHING THIS WEBSITE) AND NO MATTER WHAT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE SHOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM PARK, NO MATTER HOW HARD ONE PULLS ON THE SHIFT LEVER WITHOUT THE VEHICLE TURNED ON; A SAFETY MEASURE SINCE AT LEAST 1994 WHEN I FIRST STARTED DRIVING. I SHOULD ALSO NOTE, THAT WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE AREA OF THE SHIFTER ON THE CONSO

Engine
Filed Sep 9, 201319,004 milesMO

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN ENGINE. NO ACCELERATION AND LUCKILY HAD AN EXIT CLOSE TO PULL OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WOULD TURN ON, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEARBY DEALERSHIP. WE WERE 8 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. KIA WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL WITH DEALING WITH THIS. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE. WE HAD ALL PAPERWORK FOR OIL CHANGES IN CAR AND THEY MADE THE DEALERSHIP FAX THEM OVER BEFORE STARTING ANY WORK - WHICH HAPPENED TO BE 4 DAYS LATER BECAUSE THEY STILL DIDN'T WANT TO AUTHORIZE KIA TO WORK ON THE CAR. KIA MADE IT SEEM LIKE WE HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD 19,000 MILES ON IT. WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR AUTHORIZED TO WORK ON AND WERE AUTHORIZED TO GET A RENTAL CAR (ON DAY 5). WE WENT BACK HOME, THE CAR WAS STUCK IN TOWN 8 HOURS AWAY GETTING WORKED ON. WHEN CAR WAS DONE, KIA WANTED MY HUSBAND TO DRIVE 8 HOURS TO PICK UP THE CAR! THEY ARGUED AND ARGUED WITH US UNTIL THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PUT IT ON A TRUCK AND HAVE IT TRANSPORTED. SERVICE PAPERWORK SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF METAL DEBRIS IN BOTTOM OF OIL PAN. THEY REPLACED THE LONG BLOCK ASSEMBLY. WHEN THEY REPLACED THAT, THEY FOUND THE OIL FILTER TO BE DAMAGED AND REPLACED THAT AS WELL. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2013AL

I AM BEYOND DISAPPOINTED IN MY 2012 KIA SORENTO. IT ALL STARTED WHEN MY SORENTO BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHEN TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THEN IT JUST LED TO MORE COMPLEX PROBLEMS. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NORMAL INTERSTATE SPEED OF 70 OR GOING 50 AND IT WILL GO CRAZY MAKING UNUSUAL SOUNDS AND ALL THE LIGHTS START GOING CRAZY. THEN THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING SINCE I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD IN MY BACK SEAT AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA. I PURCHASED THE SORENTO BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE CONSIDERED A FAMILY VEHICLE. THAT'S ISN'T IT. I CAN BE TRAVELING IN TOWN OR WHERE EVER AND WHEN AT A YIELD ENTRANCE WAY I CAN PULL INTO THE MAIN ROAD AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW. THE SORENTO STALLS OUT. IT DOESN'T WANT TO INCREASE SPEED. THIS SAME THING ALSO HAPPENS WHILE I AM SPEEDING UP AS WELL. IT GETS UP TO 5RPM BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. I CAN'T LET OFF OR I WILL GET REAR ENDED. MY SORENTO ALSO HAS A HORRIBLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE PUT NEW TIRES, HAD NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS AND ALL. NOTHING HELPS IT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT WHATSOEVER, BUT IF THESE PROBLEMS KEEP UP THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I HAVE ALSO TOOK IT TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS TO GET THE OTHER ISSUES CHECKED OUT BUT I GET THE SAME RESPONSE. "THEY NEVER CAN FIGURE ANYTHING OUT" I HAVE GOT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE TO DRIVE IT AS WELL JUST TO BE SURE IT WASN'T THE WAY I DROVE. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND ESPECIALLY ALLOW M

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 20136,000 milesCA

I LEASED MY KIA SORENTO 2012 LX V6 AWD NEW, AFTER ABOUT 5 OR 6 MONTHS I NOTICED WHEN BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS COMPLETELY, ONCE I SHIFT BACK IN N I CAN RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS COMPLETELY RANDOMLY, THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING PRECEDING THIS INCIDENT, IT HAPPENS ON ITS OWN, ONCE ACTUALLY IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES, THEY EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO CALLING A KIA FIELD TECH TO COME INSPECT THE CAR, LASTLY THEY INSTALLED AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHICH WAS APPARENTLY RECORDING ANYTHING HAPPENING TO YOUR ENGINE, AND SURE ENOUGH ABOUT A WEEK AFTER INSTALLATION I HAD THE SAME ISSUE, I PRESSED THE BUTTON BUT UPON RETURNING TO KIA DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THE DEVICE HAD NOT RECORDED ANYTHING, APPARENTLY NO CODES ARE GENERATED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS THIS WAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS CAN BE RESOLVED SINCE NO ONE KNOWS HOW EXACTLY THIS OCCURS AND THE ISSUE CANNOT EVEN BE REPLICATED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 31, 20138,244 milesCA

WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 20 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NO POWER, AT ALL. *TR

Visibility/Wiper1 injured
Filed Jul 26, 201324,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING HIT THE GLASS TO CAUSE IT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VINE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/08/14*LJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A CUT FROM THE GLASS. UPDATED 01/09/14

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jul 26, 201335,000 milesKY

MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD GOT INTO THE VEHICLE TO GET A DRINK. SHE HIT THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT WENT FROM PARK TO GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL UNTIL COMING TO A STOP BY HITTING A TREE. MY NEIGHBOR TRIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BUT HE COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN BECAUSE IT LOCKED. MY CHILD WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. KIA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT GO OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION AND THE BRAKE IS PUSHED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 201311,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (55-65 MPH) OUR VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN; ALL ELECTRICAL POWERED OFF, ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOSS OF ABS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SHIFTING INTO 'PARK' POSITION. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, ALL UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 201324,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2013MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ALL THREE TIMES BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 3, 201318,300 milesTX

WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM GAUGE DID NOT MOVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AT ENGINE IDLE SPEED (REACHING ABOUT 20MPH ON A LEVEL SURFACE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Seats
Filed May 15, 2013MA

2ND ROW SEAT DIFFICULT TO FLIP DOWN TO ACCESS 3RD ROW. LATCH DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND THEIR FIX WD40 ONLY LASTS A WEEK OR 2 AT BEST. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 201313,671 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO WAIT 15 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED CHANGING THE ECT ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,671 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201318,500 milesCA

MY FAMILY AND I (WIFE, 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 9 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER) HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY AND ENTERED OUR HOUSING COMPLEX. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUR VEHICLE'S ENGINE AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TURNED OFF. WE WERE IN MOTION AT THE TIME IT TURNED OFF. WE HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND US, BUT LUCKILY THEY SAW OUR VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN AND DROVE AROUND US. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND STATED EVERYTHING LOCKED UP AND, AS EXPECTED, SHE HAD TO MUSCLE THE STEERING TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALSO DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND HAD NO ABS. WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE BACK UP. I INITIALLY TOLD MY WIFE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BUT AFTER TRYING THAT, IT DID NOT WORK. AFTER WE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK ON WE DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. I CONTACTED CITRUS KIA THAT DAY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THAT ISSUE AND WOULD HAVE NO WAY CONFIRMING WHAT HAPPENED UNLESS IT DID IT WHILE THEY WERE INSPECTING IT. MY VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FROM 4/10/13- 4/13/13. THE END RESULT IS THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT DID DO A NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS TO "HOPEFULLY" PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RE-OCCURRING. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO AS THEY HAVE NO WAY OF ACTUALLY VERIFYING WHY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION. AS OF THIS WRITING I WAS ADVISED I COULD COME DOWN AND PICK UP MY VEHICLE, BUT WILL

Power TrainCrash
Filed Feb 12, 201320,000 milesMA

MY WIFE PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND OPEN GARAGE DOOR TO TAKE TRASH OUT TO CURB. SHE LEFT THE CAR IDLING AND IN PARK. MY DRIVEWAY HAS SLIGHT INCLINE. IT TOOK HER ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES TO BRING TRASH TO CURB. WHILE APPROACHING THE KIA SORENTO SHE NOTICED IT STARTED ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. PANICKING SHE TRIED TO REACH IN AND KILL THE ENGINE. SHE WAS HIT BY DOOR AND KNOCKED HER ONTO THE DRIVERS FLOOR WITH HER FEET OUTSIDE THE CAR. SHE TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO LUCK SLOWING DOWN THE CAR. AS SHE GOT TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CARS SPEED HAD INCREASED ENOUGH WHERE SHE COULDN'T HOLD ON ANY LONGER. SHE WAS THROWN FROM THE CAR INTO THE STREET. TAKE ONE STEP BACK NOW. WHEN SHE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY SHE PUT THE CAR IN PARK ALLOWING HER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I GOT THERE AFTERWARDS NO ONE HAD TOUCHED THE CAR YET AND THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE SORENTO HAD TO SLIP OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. REASONING IS BECAUSE 1) IF LEFT IN ANY GEAR OTHER THAN PARK DOOR WOULDN'T OF UNLOCKED. 2) IF LEFT IN GEAR THE CAR WOULDN'T OF STAYED IN ONE PLACE IN THE DRIVEWAY HILL FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE STARING TO ROLL. TRYING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THEIR KIA SORENTO SLIP FROM PARK INTO NEUTRAL! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 29, 201321,500 milesWV

I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA SORRENTO WITH 24 MILES ON 12/20/11. 10/24/12-I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME AND STUDENTS WALKING BEHIND ME MY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. I WAS FORCED TO BACK DOWN THE HILL. I HAD GONE TO VISIT MY SON IN COLLEGE AND AS SOON AS I GO THERE I HAD TO TURN AROUND AND GO HOME. I WAS 160 MILES FROM HOME AND DIDN'T WANT TO RISK BREAKING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE DARK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 11/1/12-TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED-VEHICLE WAS KEPT A WEEK.OUR FIRST REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. 1/1/13-MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND LOST ACCELERATION. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. WEEK 1-OUR 2ND NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. WE CALLED ABOUT VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY INSTALLED TRANSMISSION BUT THAT IT STILL WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY AND THAT THEY WERE SPEAKING WITH THE MANUFACTURE. THEY NEEDED TO PUT IN A 3RD TRANSMISSION. ANOTHER WEEK PAST. END OF WEEK 2-STOPPED IN TO CHECK ON VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO PUT IN YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THIS TRANSMISSION WOULD BE COMING DIRECTLY OFF THE MANUFACTURE FLOOR. ONCE COMPLETED THIS WILL BE THE 4TH NEW TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE THIS TIME FOR 27 DAYS AS OF 1/29/12 AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. AFTER THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION THE FIRST TIME, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2011 KIA SORRENTO. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.THE DEALERSHIP HAS SPOKEN WITH THE APPROPRI

Steering
Filed Jan 24, 20135,550 milesOH

THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW OR ON WET PAVEMENT. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE - IT JUST GOES WHERE IT WANTS TO. THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF LIVES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS THE VERY LIGHT 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, PROBLEMATIC SUSPENSION, STEERING, OR TIRES, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WILL DEFINITELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE MUCH, MUCH SAFER TO DRIVE IN WET AND/OR SNOWY WEATHER. IT IS DIFFICULT NEGOTIATING A HILL IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHETHER GOING UP OR DOWN. I LITERALLY SLIDE INTO THE STREET FROM MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS BY NO MEANS A VERY STEEP DRIVE AND I CERTAINLY CANNOT MAKE IT UP THE DRIVE IN THE SNOW WITHOUT FIRST BACKING UP INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVE AND GETTING ENOUGH SPEED UP TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF MY DRIVE. WE BOUGHT AND UTILIZE THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE DELIVERIES AND PUT UP TO 500 MILES PER WEEK ON THE CAR AND OUR DRIVER NOW REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE IMMINENT DANGER -- HE CALLS IT A DEATH TRAP! *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 9, 20138,000 milesPA

I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WHEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. STARTED THROUGH INTERSECTION WHEN CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WAS TOLD THEY FOUND CODE P2110 LIMP HOME MODE. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURED ON INTERSTATE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 201318,000 milesWV

I OWN A 2012 4 CYLINDER KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN NOV 2011. HAD IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IT JUST STOPPED....HAD TO LET TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND THEN LET OFF BRAKE TO COAST BACK DOWN HILL UNTIL I GOT TO A PLACE I COULD PULL IN. TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP...TRANSMISSION ISSUES-HAD TO GET NEW ONE...DEALERSHIP KEPT IT OVER A WEEK.LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND AGAIN SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP I NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION....IT'S BEEN AT DEALERSHIP 1/2 A WEEK AND NOT SURE WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 26, 201222,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND AS A RESULT, IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000... UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE BLOCK UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 01/09/13

Seats
Filed Nov 11, 20123,259 milesOK

SEAT TRIM ON DRIVERS SEAT BREAKS ALLOWING SEAT CONTROLS TO MOVE SEAT WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IT CAN MOVE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT DRIVER DOING ANYTHING. THIS TRIM HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES WITH THE SEAT MOVING TWICE (2) OUT OF THE FOUR (4) TIMES. KIA DEALER HAS REPLACED TRIM ALL FOUR (4) TIMES AND ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TRIM DESIGN, HOWEVER KIA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. TRIM IS HELD ON BY PLASTIC, AS IT MOVES THE PLASTIC BREAKS, ALLOWING SEAT CONTROLS TO MOVE AGAINST DOOR OR FLOOR MAKING SEAT MOVE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 8/27/11, 06/16/12, 08/04/12 AND 11/09/12. TALKING TO KIA DEALERS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 22, 201213,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RPM WOULD RAPIDLY INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SECURE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A REGIONAL OFFICER FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE REGIONAL OFFICER NEVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 19, 201210,321 milesIL

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. THE 2012 SORENTO HAS A PUSH BUTTON START. THE ISSUE STARTED THE DAY WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A REPEATED ISSUE. THE KIA DEALER IN OMAHA NEBRASKA REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE AND THE DEALER IN FAIRVIEW HTS, IL HAS REPLACED THE SAME PART AT LEAST THREE TIMES. I'M THINKING LEMON. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER IN FAIRVIEW HTS, IL FOR THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. *TR

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 →