The air bag light on the driver side dashboard will not turn off and the concern is that the airbags will not deploy if in an accident, or may randomly deploy. The vehicle has been in no type of collision affecting the front of the vehicle. At this time, the vehicle has not been taken to the dealership or a mechanic, but it seems that the dealer should repair at no cost given the issue is related to a safety concern.
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 →
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on the startup of the vehicle, the engine would begin to knock and blue smoke would emit from the muffler. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer with needing gaskets replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated while driving 60 mph and changing lanes, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to Sansone Kia (90-100 US-1 North, Avenel, NJ 07001) who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced and the failure was related to the recall. The dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was repaired but consumer could still smell the gas leak. The approximate failure mileage was 77,250.
The airbag light came on for no reason. It will not go off. The concern is the airbags won’t deploy if there is a collision.
The vehicle has been diagnosed with oil leaking out through the exhaust. On July 31st, 2021 I was on the highway and my car started making a loud clicking sound. It lost power and the engine light came on blinking. The safety of others and myself/passenger was in danger as it lost power on the highway and the speed limit was 75.
Pearl white paint pealing on front, back, top of car
Hi, I get my car fixed at the dealer Inver Grove Kia in West Saint Paul in Minnesota. There is s problem with my suspension. With that being said, the first problem was my sway bar and that was not fixed correctly. I am now hearing the same noise on the passenger side of SUV and they are telling me it is strut. I need to have all information and recalls sent to me. Then dealer is not looking into other problems that the 2012 Kia Sorento has right now. The dealer has put me in a bad situation and also in danger with not inquiring more about the suspension problems associated with my 2012 Kia Sorento. https://www.lutherkiamn.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic
*White Pearl paint is pealing / chipping away on the front hood and around the top of the windshield roof. *I have been told that the area of missing paint around my windshield can rust/corrode through and affect the windshield seal. *My Kia dealer has seen it and said it was a widespread problem with the white pearl paint on the Sorento model.....but no further action was done. *It has not been inspected by the police, insurance....just the Kia Dealer. *No warning lamps or messages.....
In 2012 my sister bought new 2012 Kia Sorento from Caribbean Auto Mart in St Thomas VI. About a year ago, the horn stopped working and the air bag light has been on for some time now clearly indicating a possible problem with the clock spring assembly in the steering column mentioned in the recall notice attached. On contacting the dealer, Caribbean Auto Mart, she was told that they were no longer a Kia dealer and that it was not their responsibility to fix the problem. The local Jiffy Lube apparently is doing warranty work for Kia here now but they refuse to fix it without authorization from Kia. On contacting Kia, they refuse to even acknowledge the existence of this vehicle. They say they have no matching VIN. We asked if they would just send the part and I would install it. They refused this as well. I’m concerned that my sister is still driving this vehicle with defective safety equipment with no apparent way to resolve the situation. Any help you could provide in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
The rear wheel speed sensor housing covers are prone to water intrusion. The rear wheel sensor signal is interrupted and illuminates the ABS(anti-lock brakes),the ESC(electronic stability control) and the downhill sensor warning lights in the instrument cluster.Kia fixed the problem on July 24 2017. The same problem is occuring again (the warning lights came on last month) and Kia states that its out of warranty. I am not certain if it is a safety concern, but I don't want my rear wheels to fall off. Thank you
Engine suddenly lost power while on 125 mile road trip. Tachometer flat lined at 60 mph and speed and engine power rapidly decreased ( as if in creeper mode) and I was not able to accelerate above the 20 mph , enough to get to the shoulder. I was towed to the Kia dealership and after a day the couldn't replicate the problem as the vehicle returned to it's proper operational mode. This happened again 3 weeks later at 80mph in the center lane under cruise control with the same issues, sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate and no tachometer reading yet still running at idle. This time I pulled into a gas station and took the battery cable off for 5 minutes then replaced it. The vehicle became fully operational and I drove another 125 miles home. I bare was able to get over as I couldn't accelerate the vehicle and had to creep up the exit ramp. This being extra hazardous as it was nightfall and both times I had my 2 year old grandson with me. If I was in the left lane I would not have been able to make it across the highway and possibly would have caused a major back up putting myself, grandson and the other drivers on the road at risk of a collision...There are many blogs in line with Kia owners reporting this same problem and with no resolution if the dealerships can't replicate the problem while they have the vehicle.
Car will shut off randomly while driving. Usually slowing down or speeding up in the 0 to 30 mph zone. Does not show any codes for KIA or my mechanic to read. Car will not restart for about 20 seconds. Car will slow down and loose all RPM's of it doesn't shut all the way off and will only run 20mph until I can get off the road and restart it.
Miles on vehicle is at 130,000 miles and never missed an oil change however noticed at 125,000 miles that it has really started to burn oil. Took to the Kia dealership and they told me that I could be eligible for a free engine replacement and I needed to pay for a engine oil consumption test. Paid the amount and engine failed and I figured I'd go the the next necessary step for the replacement however they then told me it didn't cover oil consumption...Took vehicle to different shop and will cost me $4,400.
Hello,My engine began to make a knocking noise and high rev when started approx. 2 weeks from today. I took it to a local mechanic, Archers automotive, Whittier, Ca., and he advised that I needed a new engine. The mechanic advised me of numerous recalls on the 2012 Kia Sorento engine and recommended I take it to the dealer. I made an appointment with Kia Cerritos and about a week later I took it to Kia in Cerritos, Ca. on 06/02/21. On 6/4/21 I was advised by Service advisor "Ryan" i needed a new engine, I advised Ryan that I am the original owner who purchased this vehicle new and I advised him there are numerous recalls and safety issues with the 2012 Sorento but I was advised my engine for some reason is not recalled. I advised him It is obvious Kia has an engine issue with their 2012 Sorento based on the recalls and the numerous complaints on the web.There were no warning lights of an engine issue. The moment I noticed an issue with how the engine was sounding I took it to a mechanic and then to Kia Cerritos. It had been inspected by Kia Cerritos by a mechanic and on a diagnostic machine. When I initially asked for the reason why the engine needed replacing, On 6/4/21, I was advised the mechanic did not list any reasons. When I asked for the service codes I was advised the mechanic misplaced the diagnostic print out and he had to put it on the machine again, which leads me to believe they initially did not test it on the machine. I was told by Ryan at 10am I would get a ca
Since purchase of the Vehicle there has been non stop issues with the engine and cooling system. I had the engine replaced after purchase which took 2 months and now the Vechicle started to smoke again and a smell of burning rubber. I took it to the dealership to have repaired and the entire cooling system was replaced, only weeks after the same issue occurred again to find out it was now the water pump that was not replaced. Researching to resolve the car has serveral recalls for the same exact issues that have been occurring. My concern is the safety of me and my children and the unknown of being repeatedly charged for a vehicle that was sold knowing that it was not in good standing with the State for Odometer Variance.
2012 Kia Sorento, approx. 135,000 miles, driven by my daughter who is away at college. Vehicle is rapidly losing oil, but it is not leaking/dripping or smoking. At a recent regularly scheduled oil change (which was done sooner than recommended) the mechanic advised that no oil drained out. Over the next several days and 550 miles later, my daughter needed to add two quarts of oil just to get the dipstick level to "low". I have read numerous complaints from Sorento owners with the same issue, who have been told they need a new engine. Our vehicle is no longer under warranty, but that may be a moot point as I have also read that Kia is somehow not repairing the ones that are still under the original manufacturer warranty. I am concerned about the safety of my daughter driving a car that may experience sudden engine failure. For now, she is adding oil every week until we can get the car diagnosed.
Driving on the highway the suv completely shutted off, we almost died with my 1 year old daughter. I was able to start it again, within 2-3 minutes the engine seemed very weak, stalled again. Never had any issues prior. The only sign was the oil light was on, (it was never on before) we checked the oil, it was fine, 3/4 full. The engine is dead, with only 40k miles. I'm lucky to be alive.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROD BEARING WAS WORN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO KIA ON 02/22/21 TO HAVE THE ENGINE LOOKED AT BECAUSE IT IS KNOCKING, AND I AM EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER, BURNING SMELLS, JERKING, STALLING, HAVING TO ADD OIL IN MY SUV WEEKLY. WE ALREADY REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE, AND ALSO THE HIGH FUEL RAIL SENSOR, SPARK PLUGS PRIOR TO TAKING IT BACK TO THEM. WE HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DO THE REPAIRS FOR US. MY SUV WAS AT KIA A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS THOUGH AND I GOT MAYBE FOUR PHONE CALLS, ONE THEY JUST TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THE ISSUES ARE RELATED TO ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE RECALL. THE OTHERS WERE ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALLS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, AND ARE NOT EVEN FULLY COMPLETE. I WAS TOLD BY A GENTLEMAN NAMED DAVID TO DRIVE IT WHEN I GET IT BACK UNTIL IT SEIZES OR STARTS KNOCKING, WHATEVER COMES FIRST. I TOLD THEM EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WHEN I TOOK IT IN SO THEY KNOW. I WAS TOLD UNDER KIA GUIDELINES THAT KIA WOULD NOT PUT A NEW ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY ENGINE IS PART OF THE RECALL UNTIL SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS. THAT IS NOT SAFE! I HAVE CHILDREN AND I DON'T WANT TO GET HURT OR MY CHILDREN TO GET HURT IF IT SEIZES WHILE DRIVING IT, AND THEN THERE IS THE FIRE RISK WITH IT ALSO THAT I RECEIVED A LETTER FOR. I AM REALLY CONCERNED AND FRUSTRATED. IT WONT EVEN PASS SMOG RIGHT NOW UNTIL IT HAS A NEW ENGINE AND I CANNOT EVEN GET MY TAGS AND REGISTRATION WHICH I PAID FOR UNTIL IT PASSES SMOG. HERE I AM ALSO PAYING A CAR PAYMENT MONTHLY ON THIS THING WHEN CLEA
ON APRIL 9,2021 I WAS DRIVING HOME THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME ON MONDAY 12TH THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE KIA ENGINE RECALL LAST WEEK. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER OR HEARD FROM KIA BEFORE. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS AND WHAT STEPS I CAN TAKE.
THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED ME SO I COULD PULL OVER. THE ENGINE FIRE DESTROYED THE CAR. I NOTIFIED KIA 1 MONTH LATER, BUT THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED/DESTROYED BY USAA. KIA REFUSED ACCOUNTABILITY (EVEN THOUGH KIA WAS FINED BY THE GOVT FOR CARS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL WITH THIS ISSUE).
MY DRIVER HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS KEEPS OVERHEATING AND MELTS THE HARNESS CASING. I HAVE FIXED THIS ISSUE NUMEROUS TIME. MY DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS JUST ON, I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN HIT FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. AND BACK WIND SHIELD WASHER FLUID IS NOT COMING OUT. WHEN I NOTICED THESE ISSUES MY CAR WAS STATIONARY.
CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT AND IT HAS A JERKING TO IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS
ON 03/22/21, AT 8.00AM WAS A REGULAR VISIT FOR OIL CHANGE, FINALLY AROUND 1PM MY CAR WAS SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD THE "ENGINE LIGHT", NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE, I CLAIMED VERBALLY WHY, THAT HAPPEN NOW. I AM DRIVING BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME IS SAFE AND I BELIEVE, AND WAITING THE APPOINTMENT FOR( RECALL 20V750) THANKS TO ALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CMA'S COLONIAL KIA (2300 WALTHALL CENTER DR, SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, VA 23834, (804) 431-3838) REGARDING AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE ENGINE TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE REPAIR WAS PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,093.*DT *JB
MY ENGINE NEEDS WORKED ON AS OF 02/2021, THERE'S SOME TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE EVEN THOUGH I KEEP THE OIL CHANGED LIKE THE CAR REQUIRES EVERY 3-5 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE HIGH MILEAGE.I MADE THIS REQUEST TO CHECK FOR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE(MAKE MODEL & YEAR) I BOUGHT THE CAR FEBRUARY 2019. MY LEFT PARKING LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ALMOST A YEAR AGO SO I THINK IT COULD BE ELECTRICAL.
PAINT ON ROOF OF CAR AT TOP WINDSHIELD IS PEELING OFF AT AN ALARMING RATE, HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE. STARTED NOT TOO LONG AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLA
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED EMAIL SENT TO NHTSA .. I WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I NEED HELP! THIS ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME REGARDING DOCUMENTATION. IF YOU DO NOT REACH ME DIRECTLY, FEEL FREE TO SPEAK WITH MY WIFE [XXX]. SHE CAN ALSO ATTEST THE ISSUES WE HAVE. THIS IS CONSTANT WHETHER IN PARK , DRIVING , IDLING. ALSO RECENTLY WE HAVE NOTICE THE LIGHT TO SIGNAL A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIR BAGS KEEPS COMING ON. IT ALSO FLASHES FOR A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME. PLEASE LET ME OR MY WIFE KNOW WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED AND WE WILL GET THEM TO YOU IMMEDIATELY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY SEINER KIA SOUTH JORDAN (10301 S JORDAN GATEWAY, SOUTH JORDAN, UT 84095, (801) 506-6283) AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB
I WAS DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST STARTED TO FLASH, AND THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME. I COSTED OFF TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS TOWED TO MY GARAGE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND LOUD BANGING AND RATTLING STARTED, IT SOUNDS LIKE A CRANK SHAFT IS BEING THROWN ROUND.
ON 1/28/2020 AT 8 PM DURING A SNOW STORM, I HAD BEEN DRIVING NORTH ON HWY 41 AND HAD ENTERED THE CITY OF MARINETTE AND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR. I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO A CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO NOTHING. I MANAGED TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED WITHOUT SUCCESS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER ASSISTING ME WITH ANY REPAIRS UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER. I PAID $200 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES TO DORSCH FORD IN GREEN BAY WISCONSIN, THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR APPROXIMATELY $10,000 AS THE WARRANTY HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED. I CONTACTED KIA AGAIN TO INQUIRE ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL (SC147) THAT I HAD LEARNED ABOUT ONLINE WHERE THE 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS EXPERIENCING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A MACHINING ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE DURING MANUFACTURING THAT CAUSED BEARINGS TO WEAR RESULTING IN ENGINE SEIZURE. I WAS ADVISED THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE 4 CYLINDER MODELS NOT THE 6 CYLINDER WHICH IS WHAT I PURCHASED. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER OFFERED ME $100 TO JUNK IT. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $30,000 FOR THE CAR AND IT WAS SERVICED DILIGENTLY AT THE DEALER. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENGINE WITH A USED ENGINE WITH MORE THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT FOR $5000
THE ENGINE STOPPED, I HAVE TO BUY A USED ENGINE, WHICH I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS TO SHOW.
I HAD A BURNING OIL SMELL COMING INTO THE CAB OF THE CAR AND SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND NOTICED IT WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK. WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND IT SMELLED BAD, BUT DIDN'T OVERHEAT. I TOOK IT IN AND IT HAD MULTIPLE OIL AND FUEL LEAKS. THEY REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND FUEL LINE AND RESEALED THE FRONT COVER AND LOWER OIL PAN. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO ANOTHER RECALL (RECALL #20V750000) THEY HAVE ON A DIFFERENT 2.4L ENGINE. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT KIA AND THEY SAID THAT NO ISSUES HAD BEEN RELATED, BUT I'VE HAD MANY OTHER RECALLS ON MY ENGINE ALREADY AND HAVE A WARRANTY ON IT.
ENGIN STOPPED IN THE HIGHWAY DIDN'T START AFTER THAT. ALL THE SERVICES DONE IN THE DEALERSHIP. NOTHING WRONG EXCEPT ENGINE FROZEN. DEALER TRIED TO START CRANK MANUALLY BUT DIDN'T TURN. I WENT THROUGH THE DEALER FOR NESSASORY HELP BUT FAILED. STILL THE CAR SITTING IN GARAGE IN MY HOUSE SINCE THAT. I GOT ALL THE PROOFS OF THE SERVICES AND THE BLACK AND WITE PRINT OUTS OF THE DEFECTS WHICH MENTIONED. DEALER DIDN'T HELP ME AND I AM STILL TRYING TO FIND A LAWYER TO GO AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR THE REFUSAL FOR FIXING MY VEHICLE.
FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE INOPERABLE FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WITH NO PRIOR COMPLICATIONS OR DAMAGE ENSUED. KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2011 KIA SORENTO MODELS AND NOT RESOLVED IN NEWER MODELS. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES IN SAFETY ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THIS SHOULD BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, HALFWAY THROUGH THE JOURNEY, THE ENGINE MOUNT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
LEAKING FUEL AND NOW CAR NEEDS NEW ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN A IDLE MOTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE APPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DID MENTION THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE DIAGNOSED TEST WAS RAN. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
VEHICLE ENGINE DIED WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD. LUCKILY, TRAFFIC WASN'T TOO BAD ON THIS ROAD, BUT WE COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING FINE UNTIL THIS MOMENT, NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE ISSUES UNTIL THIS MOMENT, AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS KEPT UP WITH.
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET AND MY KIA STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GASAND THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CHECK BATTERY LIFE AND THE OIL LIGHT AND THEN IT DIEDWHILE I WAS DRIVING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON THE FWY. THE ENGINE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON...I WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART. IT RAN FINE, BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THERE WAS NO APPARENT SOUNDS OF ENGINE TROUBLE ...SO I CONTINUED MY ROUTE. THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED FINE, NO BAD NOISES, BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON...I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES UNTIL IT STALLED AGAIN WHILE ON FWY. WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT COMPRESSION WAS LOW ON ENGINE, SO I PULLED OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THE OIL WAS DOWN 4 QTS. AND HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. MY COMPLAINT IS THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAM ON. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS...I'M WONDERING IF YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM?
VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING AM ACCIDENT.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS THE TACHOMETER WILL DROP TO ZERO AND THE CAR WILL START TO SPUTTER AND STALL. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY SOMETIMES AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 142K MILES AND HAS HAD THE CAM SENSORS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BUT IS STILL HAVING ISSUES THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO TRACK DOWN.
CAR NEVER HAS HAD ENGINE ISSUES AND GETS REGULAR, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED THREE WEEKS AGO AS I DO EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SIEZE. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC AND NO CRACKS/LEAKS WERE FOUND. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL CURRENTLY FOR THE ENGINE BEARINGS BEING PREMATURELY WORN CAUSING ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AND SIEZE. MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED UNDER THIS RECALL, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT IS AN INTERNAL/ENGINE PROBLEM, THUS QUITE LIKELY DUE TO THESE WORN BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SNOW STORM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED FOR A TOW AND A NEW BATTERY WAS BOUGHT AND THE OLD ONE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDNENT MECHANIC WHO OBSERVED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING ON AND OFF AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO DANBURY KIA (100A FEDERAL ROAD, DANBURY, CT 06810, (203) 730-5737). THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE STARTER BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BUT THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION THE SAME DAY AFTER IT WAS PICKED UP AND SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
HI I AM WRITING YOU ON BEHALF OF MY KIA SORRENTO 2012 I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS THE LAST PAST NINE MONTHS AFTER MY CAR WOULDN'T START I SUPPOSEDLY ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY SO I HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED IN THE LOCK AT THE BATTERY IS ABOUT 78 YEARS OLD SO I CHANGED IT AFTER CHANGE THAT STILL DRAIN AFTER EVERY MONTH MY CAR WOULD JUST TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING OR STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I PUT MY AC OR MY HEATER ON IT DROPS IDLE AND IT MAKES THE CAR REALLY HEAVY TO THE POINT WHERE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S HOLDING BACK MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS OCCASIONALLY OFTEN ON WHERE I'LL BE DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE OR A SHORT DISTANCE WITH THE AC ON AND AS I'M PARKING TURN OFF THE AC IN THE CAR WHILE I GO UP AND DOWN AND WILL DROP IDOL AND JUST TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY SPIDERS I DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE I'VE HAD IT CHECKED OUT EVERY MONTH FOR THE LAST PAST NINE MONTHS AND PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH THEY ALWAYS KEEP ON TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE I HAVE LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER AND HAVE PUT IN THE NHTSE NUMBER AND I HAVE A FORM YOU RECALLS AND THEY LOOK LIKE ENGINE CESAR AN ENGINE FIRE
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT BROKE DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 20 MINUTES ON 12/10/2020. IT WAS IN COBB COUNTY GA OFF OF EW CONNECTOR AND IN BETWEEN FONTAINE RD AND FLOYD RD.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STEADY. MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG HAS A PROBLEM AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I SEE THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVE THESE COMPLAINTS NOT RESULTED IN A RECALL?
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE THE ROAD. AS THE VEHICLE STALLED SHE NOTICE BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 150,000.
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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 →