This 2012 Kia sorento caught fire and burned. Believed to be part of the recall 23v652

- Willisburg, KY, USA

I'm filing this complaint about a Safety Recall letter, dated November 14, 2023, that I received from the KIA America Corporate Headquarters concerning a (NHTSA Recall Number: 23V652) defect which can result in an engine compartment fire, increasing the risk of injury. I have reached out to my local Balise KIA dealer, on two separate occasions to be told my information is in their system and they will contact me via email or by a phone when this part has been created to schedule my vehicle for repair. Within weeks after receiving my initial Safety Recall letter my Malfunction Indicator Lamp and ABS warning light, as well as, the complete anti-locking brake system lights suddenly illuminated on my front console. The Safety Recall letter I received indicates that when the ABS warning light illuminates I could experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in an engine compartment fire while driving or parked and could increase the risk of injury. When I recalled the KIA dealer on 1-19-24 for a second inquiry, I again explained the ongoing problem and the letter KIA Headquarters sent me in November, emphasizing and reading the letter stating if the ABS warning light is illuminated and I smell burning/melting smell, and/or smoke from the engine compartment to pull over to a safe location and contact KIA Roadside Assistance to have my vehicle towed. I was then told by an Advisor that the ABS warning light wasn't a safety issue? I again reiterated the letter's wording and was then told that I could bring it in and hook it up to their Diagnostic System but if they didn't find that was the problem they would charge me $150. Needless to say, I refused that offer, when currently there's no part available anyway. I'm hoping that this complaint can be put on record and if I could somehow get any information as to when this particular part has been created so that it can be replaced before a possible fire occurs would be greatly appreciated.

- Belchertown, MA, USA

My concern is when will the RECALL BE HONORED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES 1ST- BRAKE SYSTEM 2ND- ENGINE CAUSING A FIRE HOW SOON CAN I GET MY CAR IN TO GET THESE RECALLS SERVICED"?"

- Kansas City, KS, USA

The abs brake light, traction control, and downhill assist lights all came on at the same time. This is being caused by a faulty speed sensor. This item was recalled on the two wheel drive kias, but not the all wheel drive models... hiwever.. looking for answers in the forums show that there is a systemic problem in the kia system, just Google search it and watch all the other car owners stories pop up.

- Gorham, ME, USA

Since I purchased the car on 9/14/2020 I have had to get brakes done 3 times. First bought and replaced the brakes within 30days then on 12/22/21 replaced again and on 6/24/2022 brakes rotors and calipers.

- Manning, SC, USA

In 2017 there was a recall on the Rear Wheel Sensor that I had already paid to have fixed in 2016. I was refunded in 2017 for the paid recall. The same issue has come up again on my car with the ABS, traction and stability control lights coming on. I will be taking it to the shop to repair again. I feel this could be another recall issue.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

Driving to work this past Tuesday 12/24/2019, while driving my car did this jerk move and then all the electrical signs popped up I couldn't brake or steer my stirring wheel.its as if my car locked up on me. Luckily I was able to turn off a side road avoiding on coming traffic. And but the car in park. I was stuck for 2 hours. My check engine light was the only light that stayed on. I couldn't start the car at all. Luckily I called my cousin to see if she could try and give me a jump too see if it worked. In which it did I then took my vehicle up to auto zone where they out it on the diagnostic machine. Where my battery and alternator were fine. It was very scary for this vehicle to have shut off on me like this I am just glad I was not on the highway or it could have been a really bad outcome for me. The upload option isn't allowing me to upload the video or my picture from the say it occured.

- Chester, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 45 mph, the ABS and traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the ABS on the rear driver's side was repaired. The contact stated that the same failure occurred on the rear passenger side. The contact called Kia of West chester (located at 326 westtown rd, West chester, pa 19382, (610) 429-3500) and informed them of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- West Chester, PA, USA

2012 Kia Sorento, when driving at 30mph average, straight or turning, slowing down to a stop sign, or driving in parking lots, at the moment of pressing the brakes, the engine cuts off.

- Marietta, GA, USA

I purchased this vehicle used with 98K+ miles on it from stevens creek Subaru. They did not disclose any recalls nor any issues with the vehicle. This week, I began hearing a clicking noise in the gear shift console every time I braked. Its sounds like something hitting piece of plastic. It hasn't changed the performance of the car that I can easily tell. However, this evening, my maintenance light came on and is not turning off. The dealership says the car was serviced before I drove off the lot, but given it didn't even have washer fluid, I'm not convinced it was serviced properly. I'm also noticing that the vehicle doesn't shift easily when I am needing to pick-up speed when entering the highway. The shift transition isn't smooth. Another issue is the heat feature on the driver seat does not work - it worked a week prior when I test drove the vehicle.

- Alameda, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 50 mph, the engine blew out and made a loud noise. Also, the brakes failed. The contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle, but managed to pull the vehicle over. The engine sprayed oil all over the ground. The vehicle was towed to parkside Kia (9929 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922, (844) 755-6461). The dealer wanted the contact to pay over $2,000 to determine who was responsible for the engine failure. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the faulty engines that were shipped from Korea; however, there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 73,337.

- Merryville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The brake pedal was depressed, but took an extended amount of time to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine seized due to a lack of engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Murray Kia (located at 1402 West ridge pike, conshohocken, pa 19428, (610) 279-3020) was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

Front headlight failed, upon inspection the harness wire to headlight burned and melted and brake lights don't work when the head light wire burned. This is major safety issue without brake lights. Went to computer and this problem is all over the internet, exact same issue happening to Kia owners of numerous models. Apparently Kia installed a odd system that controls headlights and burns out wiring. Very dangerous issue causing to vehicle to lose brake lights as well. Took car to dealership but they won't repair this safety problem creating a expensive repair for owner for a badly designed arrangement. This problem occurred when driving at night on I 95 in Delaware this is not a isolated incident but it's all over the internet happening only on Kia vechicles

- Wilmington, DE, USA

I was driving a 2012 Kia Sorento with three other passengers and our family dog. I see smoke coming from back of my car thought it was the car passing me since my car was in mint condition with a new engine and new transmission. I look again there is no car going the opposite way and now I see a lot more smoke. Cars coming the opposite way are flashing me and waving so I figured I'm probably over heating. I steer to the right on a steep hill the brakes and emergency brake doesn't work I quickly throw it into park the gears are gone so no park. At that point we see flames shooting at us. My daughter and I open our doors the car is slowly rolling down the hill, the door hits her she goes flying the car almost runs her over. I take the car and I'm holding the 4,000 pound car back from rolling down the hill so the kids and dog in the back seat can get out. They finally figure out how to manually unlock the doors, grabbed the dog by the collar. I let go of the car it was engulfed in flames rolled down the hill and started to explode. What a horrifyingly experience.

- Enfield, CT, USA

Takata recall my transmission is making a noise when I bringing it to a stop and my tires start going to the left also it has no transmission or motor light flashing but I can feel thats theres something wrong also when I park it moves a little I have to make sure the emergency brake is on so that it wont bounce into gear and move and cause an accident.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

When you are slowing down from any speed greater than 20 mph to make a stop, while pressing the break there is a clicking sound coming from gear shifter area. Every time when under appro 10 mph this clicking happens. This happens every day since the day I bought it.

- Lakebay, WA, USA

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.

- Springville, UT, USA

Can not move shifter out of park when car is started. Can not shift car out of selected gear when motor is running. ESC lite is illuminated on dashboard and brake lites do not function when these defects occur. Symptons experienced are the same as described in NHTSA campaign 13V114000. Kia dealer replaced brake lite switch-says SUV does not fall within population of vehicles identified under Kia SC098 recall. I am of the opinion my SUV should have been covered under this Kia recall and I should have not been charged for the repairs. My 2012 SUV should be included in NHTSA campaign 13V114000 / Kia SC098.

- Dracut, MA, USA

My engine seized up while in motion. The front end pops during braking, and a bolt head broke off the AWD housing.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Sorento recall. Federal motor vehicle standard no.114.requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of park. When excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the park position catch in the brake-shift interlock mechanism can chip or crack. This damage can cause the shift lever to be moved our of park without pressing the brake pedal thus the vehicle can roll increasing the risk of a crash and or injury especially if driver is not present.

- Marietta, GA, USA