Kia Sorento Complaints (2012)

880 consumer complaints on file.

#11420836June 14, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420865June 14, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420510June 10, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419760June 5, 2021
ENGINE
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 call back that day, no call. On 6/5/21 Ryan at Kia Cerritos advised me the engine needs replacing and the cost would be $10,000, but they could not say why because the bearing test used on 4cyl recall engines would not work for 6cyl engines but he advised the "sound" it makes is similiar to the recall engines. My vehicle is available, anytime, within a reasonable distance from zip code 90604, for inspection from NHTSA and anyone from Kia.I look forward to hearing from you. I have included all ppw
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419461June 3, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418554May 25, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417848May 20, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414640April 30, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413193April 21, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 CLEARLY THE ENGINE IS FAILING BECAUSE IT IS A BAD ENGINE. ALL I DID WAS DRIVE IT AROUND TOWN TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I FILED TWO COMPLAINTS TO KIA REGARDING THESE ISSUES AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RESPONSES, THEY HAVE TREATED ME LIKE CRAP. WHEN I PICKED UP MY SUV IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS, IT HAS NO OIL IN IT, IT WAS DIRTY AND MY BRAND NEW BATTERY WAS DEAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11412848April 19, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11408344April 16, 2021
ENGINE
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11406559April 5, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404713March 24, 2021
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404770March 24, 2021
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN
CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT AND IT HAS A JERKING TO IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404398March 23, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403434March 17, 2021
ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403525March 17, 2021
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11402998March 15, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11399668March 8, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11398981March 3, 2021
ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Sorento