Kia Sorento Complaints (2012)

880 consumer complaints on file.

#11030026September 26, 2017
ENGINE
AFTER 88,000 MILES, THE SORENTO'S ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE STAYED ON BUT CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD SOUND. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PEAK KIA IN LITTLETON, CO WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $7000-$10,000 DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES UP TO THIS POINT. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED AN MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL FOR ENGINE PARTICLES. AS A SECOND OWNER, I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY. I FEEL AS IF THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AND HONORED. MY 5 YEAR OLD WELL MAINTAINED CAR HAD NO REASON TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS AND THAT IS EFFECTING OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11024771September 21, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE PROGRESSING NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA AND, UPON EXITING A RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT NOT YET NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11029608September 21, 2017
ENGINE
WRITING TO YOU AND FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA FOR THEIR LACK OF RESOLVING HIS PROBLEM WITH HIS KIA SORENTO; ASKING FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THAT CAN GET HIM IN HAVING HIS MONIES REFUNDED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS MAILED TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT RESPOND TO THE REQUEST. UPDATED 09/21/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11024055September 18, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE STALLS DURING OPERATION TRAVELING AROUND 15 MPH; HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ON FREEWAY AND HIGHWAY; HAPPENS AT RANDOM; VEHICLE STARTS IMMEDIATELY ON NEUTRAL; UNSAFE POTENTIAL COLLISION ON MAJOR FREEWAY AND HIGHWAY; CHILDREN IS TRANSPORTED IN THIS VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11022610September 11, 2017
ENGINE
ON 09/10/2017 WHILE DRIVING A 2012 KIA SORENTO DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WITH A LOUD BANG A FEW SECONDS LATER.THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S AND NHTSA'S WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1800-333-4542 AND BETHANY TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SHE SAID THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD CHECK THE OTHER 2 RECALL THOUGH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO SEE OIL POURING OUT FROM A 3 INCH HOLE IN THE BLOCK, TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE THE THROWN ROD BROKE THE BLOCK. OIL IS CHANGED EVERY THREE MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE HAS 120,129 MILES ON IT. THE COST OF A USED ENGINE ALONE IS NEAR $3000, PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL A MOTOR THAT COULD DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE KIA MOTORS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AT NO COST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11020895August 31, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE IS FROZEN AT THE STARTUP SCREEN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS ONLY 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE NAV DISPLAY UNIT. IN MY CASE THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11020083August 28, 2017
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT SENSOR ITS ON, THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON 2015 BUT KNOW ALMOST 5 YEARS AND 81K ARE NOT COVERING IT. SAYING ITS NON SECURITY ISSUE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11019516August 25, 2017
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON A NICE DAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. HAD NO WARNING . LUCKILY I HAD THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED SO WE DIDN'T HAVE GLASS RAINING DOWN . BUT IT WAS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11019465August 24, 2017
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 77K MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IN SEEING POSTINGS ONLINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11018703August 21, 2017
ENGINE
KIA SORENTO ENGINE RECALL - MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 6/17 DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THEY CALLED ME TO PICK UP MY CAR ON 8/19. AFTER EXITING THE LOT, I CONTINUED TO HEAR THE METAL GRINDING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AREA TO THE RIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, ADDITIONAL NOISES COULD BE HEARD IN THE REAR AXLE AND AN EXTREMELY TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ASKED THAT I RETURN THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT ON MONDAY MORNING, 8/21 AND WAITED 3 HOURS WHILE THEY CHECKED THE CAR. THE MANAGER THEN INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING SHAFT WHICH WOULD COST ME $518. MY CAR DID NOT HAVE A TIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN I LAST DROVE IT BEFORE BEING TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP LOT. THE TECHNICIANS HAD TO PULL MY CAR APART TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND ADJUSTED MY STEERING SHAFT, WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. IN ADDITION, KIA ALSO OWES ME OVER $900 FOR A PREVIOUS REPAIR AND TWO EXPENSES THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED ON 6/21. AS I CONTINUE TO KEEP A LOG OF ALL MY CALLS TO KIA AND THE DEALER TO MAKE MY CASE AGAINST THE COMPANY. THE CAR HAS NOT IMPROVED WITH A REFURBISHED ENGINE, IT HAS BECOME WORSE, WHICH PLACES ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I HAVE GIVEN ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO MY ATTORNEY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE COMPANY AND WITH THE NECESSARY REGULATORY BODY. MY CAR WAS WORKING EFFICIENTLY BEFORE BREAKING DOWN AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED AND MY CAR FIXED OR REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015830August 16, 2017
ENGINE
ON 08/10/12017 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON I-40. I HEARD A "RATTLING NOISE" FROM THE ENGINE. AS I SLOWED DOWN THE SOUND GOT LOUDER. I TURNED ON A SIDE STREET INTO A SAFE AREA AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW 2 SMALL PATCHES OF FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT, THEN RAN TO A BEST WESTERN HOTEL AND ASKED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN CASE A FIRE WOULD ERUPT AGAIN. I RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S, NHTSA'S , PBS AND FORBES WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS # AND THE PERSON TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HE SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD JUST RETURNED WITH MY FAMILY 1 DAY PRIOR FROM A TRIP TO MOBILE, AL. (1500 MILES ROUND TRIP). ON 08/12/17 I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO BATTLEGROUND KIA WHERE THE ADVISOR & TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM A "THROWN ROD".THIS HOLE IS 3" TO 4" DIAMETER. (PICTURES ATTACHED). I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROD TO BE THROWN? I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON SCHEDULE THE LATEST WAS 07/26/2017. THIS VEHICLE HAS 123,937 MILES ON IT. HE REPLIED HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. ON 08/15/2017 I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE WITH 99,000 MILES WAS $6400 PLUS LABOR. [THAT IS ABOUT 24,000 MILES LESS THAN MINE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM LINGERING TO HAPPEN AGAIN] IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL WITH MINE. I WOULD LIKE KIA MANUFACTURING TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AND RENTAL VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME. I'LL LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THIS. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014162August 10, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, SEATS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE ARE CHANGING THE 3RD HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN A MONTH. WE HAD A STORM KNOCKING OUT ALL STREET LIGHTS AND IT WAS HARD TO SEE..ANSMD I KEEP GETTING PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO CARRY A BACK UP. PLUS MY PLASTIC POS DOOR PANELS DETACH AND TRAP MY KIDS IN THE CAR..WE HAVE TO BEAT THEM DOWN SO SO WE CAN OPEN DOORS. OH AND WE HAD TO CUT THE GAS COVER OFF CAUSE IT WOULDNT OPEN...AND THE SEATS WONT GO DOWN ANYMORE, HATCH WONT STAY UP..AND MY BLUTOOTH SYSTEM ONLY WORKS ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF TIME! NEVER AGAIN KIA!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013481August 7, 2017
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE HAVE A KIA SORENTO 2012. PASSENGERS SMELLED GAS 4.5 HOURS INTO A 5 HOUR TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA. STOPPED AT REST STOP AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS COMING FROM CAR. WE DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 30 MINS INTO PHILADELPHIA AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAYS ONTO LOCAL STREETS. JOGGER ON SIDE OF ROAD FLAGGED US DOWN WITH "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" WE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE KIA SORENTO'S ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE ENGINE FIRE WITH WATER. NO INJURIES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013013August 5, 2017
ENGINE
AS I CAME AROUND A BEND AT ABOUT 20 MPH, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO DIED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET, AND HAD JUST PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN FOR THE TURN. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, AND NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN. I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AGAIN, AND IT STARTED, RAN FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, SOUNDED NORMAL, THEN DIED. I TRIED TWICE MORE WITH THE SAME RESULT, THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO GET HOME. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE ISSUE, AND THEY SENT OUT A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THEY TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT RAN ROUGH AND THEN DIED. WE ARE AWAITING APPROVAL FROM CORPORATE KIA, AS WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ENGINE RECALL THEY HAVE ISSUED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11012531August 3, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON I-15 JUST 3 MILES SOUTH OF SCIPIO, UT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. I GOT INTO THE FAR RIGHT LINE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT. AS WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I BREATHED IN A LITTLE BIT OF THE THICK SMOKE THAT CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT, BUT MY WIFE DID NOT BREATHE ANY OF THE SMOKE. THE HOOD AREA WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER WE ESCAPED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER THIS INCIDENT STARTED. EVERYTHING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO ABOUT HALF OF THE TRUNK AREA WAS DESTROYED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11011960August 1, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
I OWN A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. 9PM TEMPERATURE ABOUT 70 ALL DAY. TURNED OFF MAIN BUSINESS STREET IN DES PLAINS IL DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET WHEN REAR PANEL OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHATTERED. FIRST THOUGHT WAS GUN SHOT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND OR IN FRONT OF ME, SIDEWALK WAS EMPTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11010794July 26, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, COOPER KIA 5056 COMMERCIAL DRIVE, YORKVILLE NY, 13495, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING HOUSING UNIT MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11005954July 17, 2017
ENGINE
I HAVE HAD DOCUMENTED ENGINE ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL SC147 COMMUNICATION. I AM ATTACHING DOCUMENTATION OF THESE ENGINE CONCERNS, SPECIFICALLY HICCUPING/SPUTTERING/SKIPPING IDLE AND NEAR STALL-OUTS. TODAY I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE IT PASSED THE BRIEF TEST THEY DID ON IT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STATE THAT I DO NOT ACCEPT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE KIA DEALER TODAY AND I FORMALLY REQUESTED TO THE KIA CORPORATION THAT THE ENGINE ON MY KIA VEHICLE BE REPAIRED PROMPTLY TO CORRECT THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN RECALL SC147. THE ENGINE IN MY KIA VEHICLE HAS HAS DOCUMENTED ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THE SC147 ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED AND STILL DOES TODAY. GIVEN THIS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY -- MY ENGINE MAY STALL OUT PUT MY FAMILY IN HARM'S WAY. AT THIS TIME, I AM AWAITING COMMUNICATION FROM KIA CORPORATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11005991July 17, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (SAN LUIS BAY MOTORS KIA LOCATED AT 2700 THEATRE DR PASO ROBLES, CA 93466 805 239 8700) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11005444July 15, 2017
ENGINE
WE HAD STRUGGLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COMING ON AND GOING OFF RANDOMLY. HAD THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. RETURNED FROM A 11 DAY VACATION AND UPON STARTING THE CAR THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC IN TOWN IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM KIA BUT THE MECHANIC IN TOWN HAD ALREADY RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND SEVERAL THINGS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO KIA PER THE RECALL AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS FUN. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE ASSESSMENT AND THEY TOO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BAD. I HAVE SINCE TRADED THE CAR IN BECAUSE A MECHANIC I TRUST ADVISED ME TO DO SO. WHEN THIS CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS UNREPORTED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE CONSTANT TROUBLE WITH THE WIRING AND HONESTY OF KIA. I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE BUT I SUFFERED AN EXPENSE TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE KIA CLAIMED THIS VEHICLE WAS UNAFFECTED. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANY LONGER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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