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 / 40
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,616 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 15 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #108

Jun 232017

Sorento

  • 117,770 miles

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

My vehicle is at 117K miles. It uses approx 6 qts of oil/3000 miles.I cannot get up to speed on the highway as it will not auto shift down with any acceleration rpms run and stay at 6,000 when trying to get to 70mph - it is included in SC147 recall, however the dealership is stating it passed the recall test and it's the transmission not the engine. Transmission does not burn oil at 6 qts/3000 miles

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #107

Jun 142016

Sorento

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving on the highway, the motor seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to an independent repair shop who indicated that the vehicle needed to be serviced by an authorized dealer. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) and 15V626000 (power train), but the contact was unable to receive the remedy and parts for the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to medved Kia (11201 w interstate 70 frontage rd N, wheat ridge, co 80033, (303) 421-0100). The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer to provide a remedy for the two recall repairs. The manufacturer stated that they would respond, but the contact had not received the repairs since June of 2016. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #106

Mar 312017

Sorento 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the engine made an abnormal noise and stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the dealer (moritz Kia fort worth 501 West fwy, fort worth, tx 76116 (817) 560-6000). It was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer indicated that they were uncertain of when the part would be produced. The contact was provided with a loaner vehicle, but was unable to determine a reasonable time frame for when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 08/30/17

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #105

May 012017

Sorento

  • 103,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While operating the vehicle, a loud ticking noise was present coming from the engine and the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to southwest Kia of round rock, Texas where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #104

Jun 092017

Sorento

  • 140,000 miles
My engine seized up 4 times over the last month temporarily causing it to stall. Last week, it started knocking and the dealer tells me I need a new/used engine. The engine only had 140,000 miles on it and has been services every 3000 miles for the most part. I think it should be included in the engine recall 17V224000

- Hickory, KY, USA

problem #103

May 162017

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles
On Tuesday May 16th, 2017 at about 10:30 pm I was driving down the highway in my Kia all of a sudden lost power. There was no indication that a problem existed. I was driving East on the interstate at about 70 mph but I was able to maneuver to the side of the road after the loss of power and averted being hit from behind from a semi. I had 5 other occupants in the car as we were coming home from a ball game. A good samaritan happened along and took the occupants to a waffle house while I waited with my wife for a tow truck. We took the car to my mechanic who informed me that the engine had seized. He noticed that there were bits of metallic in the oil and said it would be best to have it replaced. We had started investigating the cost of a used engine when I read about a class action suit involving Kia and owners of cars with a 2.4 gdi engine. Their complaints paralleled what I had just witnessed. The recall number for this is is NHTSA 17V-224.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #102

May 192017

Sorento

  • 81,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 45 mph, the crank case bearing in the engine disintegrated and ruined the motor. The vehicle was towed to oxondale Kia in flagstaff Arizona where it was diagnosed that metal fragments entered into the engine oil deposit, which caused further damage to the vehicle. The service manager at the dealer stated that there was a recall for the failure, but the contact's VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Cottonwood, AZ, USA

problem #101

May 302017

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
5/30/2017 I was driving and I was merging onto the freeway so I gave my car about half throttle and as soon as the car started to accelerate the engine stopped accelerating while my foot was still on the gas and all of the light went on on my dashboard and the engine completely shut off. The RPM's dropped completely but everything else stayed on, lights, steering, brakes, interior electronics, everything but the engine itself remained on. I went to start the car after I came to a complete stop and it make some weird ticking noises before it actually turned on and it idled, but as soon as I gave it some gas the engine shut off. Dealer said engine was seized and there was sludge in the oil, did not physically see this my self

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #100

May 152017

Sorento

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration power. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #99

Mar 162017

Sorento

  • 95,000 miles
I have contacted the Kia dealership three times about this car burning oil. They told me this is normal for a vehicle that has 90,000 miles on it. One time I had to put 2 quarts of oil in it and then after driving 400 miles I had to put another 1 quart of oil in it. I understand they could be a problem with the 2.4 engine in this vehicle. All I am asking is for them to do a combustion test on the engine while it is still under warranty.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #98

May 012017

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 103,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a sudden loss of power when applying the accelerator pedal. The driver noticed that smoke was emitting under the hood of the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and a fire erupted under the hood. A passerby stayed with the driver until a state trooper was present as the vehicle was on fire and the flames went out over time. The driver was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic yard. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was waiting to determine a response from the manufacturer to diagnose how the failure occurred. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000...updated 06/27/17

- Bradford, MA, USA

problem #97

Apr 012017

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
Car never gave a warning that anything was wrong, took it to get regular oil changes as needed and suddenly in traffic while moving forward, the car began bucking and jumping, the noise sounded like a cluck. I thought something had fallen off as the car was originally driving smoothly. I had it towedt to Kia and it was said the engine was no good. No warning lights or engine lights ever came on to forewarn of any issues ever with the car.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #96

Apr 272017

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles
Driving and the car cut off on the highway. No lights no warning.. engine died.

- Walnut, CA, USA

problem #95

Sep 152016

Sorento

  • 44,269 miles
Took the car 6 weeks left on my warranty. Starting cold, engine making noise ( like tappats, loud} the service man and Kia tech. Heard the sound agreed but the work order stated like simular engine. Now no warranty. Expired. Kia rep. Stated must bring the car to dealer ( 70 miles each way} and have $300 for taken the engine apart and drive rod is only under warranty if needed. Tranportation I on my own.

- Laake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #94

Apr 172017

Sorento

  • 141,000 miles
Bought my Sorento brand new. Have had for 5 years and have 1 year left on loan. I have records of taking vehicle to dealership and had several complaints of hearing rattle like a paint can.. yet they blew me off. Gave me poor excuses for reasoning and stated this was normal sound.. I felt that there was an issue yet believed the technician over my concerns.. noises cont for couple years yet nothing got worse. Then she. I was at 128 K miles Kia sends out the extended warranty letter and I took my vehicle to another dealer to get an understanding that this isn't a normal sound and that there was something seriously wrong yet they believed a engine flush would get rid of carbon build up and all would be good.. after paying out of pocket for this nothing changed and I got little to no assistance w the new dealer I trailed. I don't to drive the vehicle bc I had no options. No money left to fix my car in which cast me monthly... repaired all things needed by the Kia book and as required by servicing w fuel additives as recommended yet now I have a complete blown engine. Still owe and now fighting to get Kia to help me. The recall letter isn't out yet there is expected a recall.. I now have 141K miles and need help.. I'm lucky that we were not hurt.. our engine blew in the mountains.. took me aaa.. 150 bucks and 6hrs to get home w friends assistance..

- Lancaster, OH, USA

problem #93

Apr 082016

Sorento

  • miles
Last year my car stalled and had to be towed to the Kia dealership and we were told it was the alternater (which was replaced at this time) my car since then has had off and on times where it would start to stall but not shut off and it has become more frequent over the past few weeks. There is a recall from Kia coming out in mid may for this problem which has caused serveral accidents in other cars, and we have been told by the dealership and customer relations that I would have to wait for the recall to come out before anything can be done since they cannot find where it is coming from while it has been in there possession multiple times and the knocking that can be barely heard is "within reason". I was also told by the Kia customer relations that if my engine died before the recall then they would replaced it. I told them my main concern is I have four children that I drive around with and don't want to get into an accident due to my engine dying while driving and they told me to take it to another dealer to have them check it out, which I will but I am putting this in in the mean time.

- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA

problem #92

Mar 212017

Sorento

  • 64,000 miles
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

problem #91

Aug 072014

Sorento

  • 44,516 miles
I used mobile one 5W30, I used Kia oil filters (2 generic), I had 44,516K miles on it on August 7, 2014. I did 8 oil changes. My car was running perfectly fine. No white or black smoke, no dashboard lights, not sluggish, nothing and the engine seized without warning. I was on the highway doing about 65 when I heard a fluttering noise that very quickly turned into a knocking noise. I could barely pull over without almost getting hit twice. I had it towed to the dealership and they said I never did any oil changes and there was approximately 20K miles worth of sludge in my engine. My oil was changed around March 7, 2014. Kia motors down right refused to even lol at it. I hired and attorney who wrote a demand letter and 4 months later they down right refused to fix it under the warranty. My car sat in my driveway for over 15 months. I reported this to NHTSA back in late 2012 early 2013. I wore a letter to the owner of the dealership and she put a used engine in it and paid for half. Needless to say I'm happy I have my car back but I don't trust it. I have the top of the line sx AWD and I also added the ambient lighting and tinted the front windows. I love my car but feel I should be compensated for the shear hell and huge financial burden it has caused my family. I've had it back since November 12, 2016 and the financial burden is still haunting my family.

- Townsend, MA, USA

problem #90

Mar 292017

Sorento

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the engine suddenly shut off. The check engine and the check oil sensor lights illuminated. After restarting, the engine shut off a second time. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 58,000.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #89

Feb 172017

Sorento

  • 147,000 miles
Received letter from Kia 'extending' the warranty to 120,000 miles to cover connecting rod problem that could result in engine failure. Several months after receiving letter and car at 147K the engine failed failed while driving on highway, Kia dealer said it was failed connection rod. Now Kia denies claim since past 120K. This is a known defect and should have been a recall!! very upset that Kia knew of defect and is not willing to take ownership.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

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