CarComplaints.com Notes: As long as catastrophic engine failure at under 60,000 miles is the top owner complaint, it'll be pretty hard to recommend the 2012 Sorento.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 47
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,884 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 12 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #214

Mar 262019

Sorento

  • 158,733 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving for about 45 minutes on the highway when all of a sudden the car started to decelerate. I had just enough force to get it to the left side of the road safely. No warning lights or issues prior to this occurrence. The radio was still on but I couldn't get the engine to turn over to drive. Is there a recall for this issue"?" my mechanic couldn't find anything wrong with the car. It started right up and he drove it for awuite a bit to be sure.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #213

Mar 132019

Sorento

  • 121,000 miles
As I came off an exit from the highway, after driving for about 90 minutes, for no apparent reason the car just stopped running. The tach dropped to O, and I had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid getting hit by the vehicles behind me. I tried to start the car and the car would not even turn over. I called my insurance company, arranged for a tow to my mechanics garage, only to have him tell me that the motor just ceased. Again no warning from the vehicles warning lights or anything. It just died right there.

- Holden, MA, USA

problem #212

Mar 142019

Sorento

  • 89,730 miles
Engine recall. Lately I been heard a knocking noise under the hood of my vehicle also I heard knocking noice from the exhaust pipe when I start the car as well. It comes N goes I hear it once in a while mainly in the morning when I first start the car. I hear it any other time once in a while. N I see lately there leakage coming threw the exhaust pipe as well. I took it to my machanic N he advised me to report to the dealer since it can B a possible recall

- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA

problem #211

Jan 182019

Sorento

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Kia's engine seized up on the highway while driving I have not even owned it for a year. I still owe quite a bit on this and can not seem to get any help from my local Kia dealer where I purchased it. I lost my job because of this and cannot try to find another one with out my vehicle - it is causing great distress to my family. I cannot afford to by another vehicle or purchase an engine. I really need help and guidance with this issue. I was told Kia was the best with customer care and vehicle reliance. Soon I will not be able to make payments on my vehicle with out a job. Please help me with this problem I do not know where else to turn. Thank you

- Chittenango, NY, USA

problem #210

Nov 232018

Sorento 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,276 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, a knocking noise occurred coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to napleton's mid rivers Kia (located at 4955 veterans memorial pkwy, St peters, mo 63376, (636) 206-4284) for diagnostic testing, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an oil consumption test was performed. The dealer stated that if the engine consumed oil, it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 114,276. The consumer stated the manufacturer would not assist with the repairs until the engine seized. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #209

Feb 082019

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
Losing oil..no indicator lights come on. They tell me I have drop oil pan and and get new seal. Why doesntindicator come on?.have appointment March 4th at dealer to have this fixed. Sounld not have to ay for it. Indicator light do not work.now my engine knocks

- Oakwood, GA, USA

problem #208

Jul 262018

Sorento

  • 125,054 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle was being driven down the highway and it began knocking. It was pulled over almost immediately (within a mile). Oil was checked and although it had regular service, it registered low. After about a half a quart of oil was added, the oil registered at proper level. When trying to re-start the engine it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to dealership where it was determined that the vehicle had catastrophic engine failure and would need a complete engine replacement. Price quoted was $15,000! they claimed this was due to the engine needing to be replaced with a smaller block (they don't make the 3.5 L anymore) and the modifications that it needed. The car was purchased used, had 125,054 miles on it and had no warning prior to the initial knocking that occurred on that day.

- Eure, NC, USA

problem #207

Oct 312018

Sorento

  • 155,000 miles
I was driving down the highway when my cars engine seized up. I lost all control of the breaks and power stearing and it was smoking as I coasted to the shoulder. I was able to get the car seats out of the back and let it cool down some but the electric in it was not working so it wouldnt turn over. It left me stranded a little over an hour from my house with 2 infants. I had it towed home and changed the battery in it to see if it would turn over and it did. When I was able to get the car running again there was a knocking in the engine and the car would stall if I put the car in gear and press the gas. When I called Kia they told me my VIN wasnt covered in the engine recall so im filing a complaint.

- Mogadore, OH, USA

problem #206

Feb 152019

Sorento

  • 138,000 miles
Shortly after the analytic converter light came on, the engine started surging and then died when I slowed for a turn. I put the care in park, restarted the engine, put it in drive and it died again. I tried again with park, restart and then drove into a parking lot. I found recall SC106 on line but the dealer can't find this for my vehicle.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #205

Feb 122019

Sorento

  • 106,000 miles
My wife and I have been driving this vehicle for over 2 years now. About two years ago, this banging noise started which felt like we hit something or an object the road (just one big bang noise). The second time it happened we took it the aaa and they serviced it and made some repairs to it and replaced some parts. The noise went away and now (Feb 2019), I am driving on the highway at 60 miles per hour and it came back and happened three times already. Upon researching the cause of this issue, I am here on this site trying to find answers for these issues. Now, I do not want our car to catch fire since I've read a few people were experiencing this horrifying predicament. What are we to do" will Kia take care of this issue before something worse happened" it seems to be case with these recalls, something terrible has to happen.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #204

Feb 072019

Sorento

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 20 year old son was driving his 2012 Kia Sorento on the highway at approximately 60 mph when the engine started to make a knocking noise and lost acceleration (he was pressing the gas pedal, but it felt like it wasn't doing anything.) the knocking noise continued and grew louder. We took the car to a nearby garage, and the mechanic who looked at it said the crank bearing was bad and the engine was shot. He said replacing it would $5,000 or more. He said repairing likely wouldn't be an option because he has seen other Kia with the same problem, and the engines were full of metal pieces. After researching, I learned of the recall for 2012 Kia Sorentos for this very reason, but my son's VIN isn't listed, and it obviously should be. This vehicle only has 86,000 miles and has been serviced regularly. It was my husband's vehicle before, so we know it has had regular maintenance since the beginning. Even though the vehicle has stayed in the same household, it is now in my son's name so the warranty doesn't apply. Please add this vehicle to the recall! I don't have anything in writing from the mechanic, but the vehicle is still there and I can get that if needed.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #203

Dec 252018

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
All this happened on christmas day, 2018. My family and I were driving on the interstate to visit family for the holiday, when the engine out of no where made a squeaking noise and then started knocking. It was like I immediately lost a lot of power of the engine and it was hard to steer off the road. It died and when restarted it was knocking and barely wanted to go. We drove it 4 miles to the exit and parked it at a bk for the night. We got it towed back to our house 40 miles away. Initially had thought the timing chain but later found out it that the whole engine needed to be replaced. It had metal flakes and shavings along with problems with the camshaft. We were told by Kia that ours was not included and that the warranty extension was only for original owners. I am the second owner and purchased the car in 2012. The vehicle is just over 100K miles.I still owe about $8000 left on the car. Engine replacement quotes about $3000 but I fear putting in a new motor the same problem could eventually happen again.

- Belle Rive, IL, USA

problem #202

Jan 212019

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 30 mph, the engine made a knocking noise and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to jeff wyler springfield auto mall (937-783-7030, located at 1501 hillcrest ave, springfield, oh 45504). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #201

Aug 052018

Sorento

  • 74,835 miles
Tamara recall: While driving on briarcliff way in atlanta, ga 30345 on 8/5/18 going approximately 20 mph my engine made a loud pop sound and began smoking and shut off immediately. I was unable to restart car; called tow truck to tow car to ed voyles Kia dealership in chamblee ga. They determined it was due to 'broken tone wheel inside engine came apart' ; allegedly fixed it by replacing engine; since service I have brought 2012 Sorento back to ed voyles due my check engine light repeatedly coming back on in which ed voyles just turns it off stating; 'we really don't know what is going on.

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #200

Jan 112019

Sorento

  • miles
Last Friday I was on my way going to work and I stopped at the stoplight and when the light turned green and I gave it gas I noticed a little knocking for my engine in the first gear the once the car picked up speed and went in the other gears it goes smooth only when I come to a complete stop and first take off the bearings in my motor is knocking

- Cahokia, IL, USA

problem #199

Aug 052018

Sorento

  • 170,000 miles
I was driving down the street when the car began to make a low knocking noise then it began to slow down until it came to a complete stop, and wouldn't turn over anymore. I had to get it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic took a look at the car and said that it was the motor. I didn't get any warning other that while I was driving it began to make a knocking noise and lights went on my dash, then stopped. I called Kia spoke to a representative, she said that my car didn't qualify. So I'm stuck with a car payment and no car.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #198

Dec 192018

Sorento

  • 92,000 miles
As I was driving down the freeway the engine stalled. As I made my way to the shoulder and came to a stop I noticed smoke coming out of the hood. Once I came to a stop I got out of the car. As soon as I came to a stop I got out. When I closed the drivers door the hood burst into flames. By the time that the firefighters got the there the entire car was up in flames.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #197

May 222014

Sorento

  • 45,000 miles
Kia recall. On May 22, 2014, my 2012 Kia Sorento caught fire and was totaled. There was no explanation at this time, but now it is coming to surface that these vehicles are spontaneously catching fire.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #196

Dec 172018

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 70 mph, all of the instrument panel indicators illuminated and the vehicle began to shake. Afterwards, there was an explosion underneath the vehicle and all power was lost, including the power steering. The contact was able to steer the vehicle down an exit ramp off the highway. The vehicle was then pushed off the roadway into a parking lot. The contact discovered that the engine was blown and oil spilled out onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to parkside Kia (9929 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922, (844) 755-6461). The dealer called back three weeks later after they ordered a new engine. The dealer wanted to charge the contact over $1,400 for labor. The manufacturer was called and provided the contact with the phone number to a mental health facility. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Merryville, TN, USA

problem #195

Jan 032019

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 10-15 mph, there was an abnormally knocking sound in the engine. Without warning, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to South shore Kia (1128 sunrise hwy, copiague, NY 11726, (631) 991-3910) and they stated that a comprehensive investigation was necessary to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 12995434. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Deer Park, NY, USA

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