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 18 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #94

Apr 172017

Sorento

  • 141,000 miles

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

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

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

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

problem #88

Feb 242017

Sorento

  • 94,000 miles

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

Complete engine failure. While passing a large truck on a narrow two lane highway the engine completely shut down midway through the pass. Momentum allowed the car to complete the pass, but due to the speed and without power steering it was very difficult to maneuver. Fortunately I was familiar with the road and able to make it safely to a pull off. My local repair garage determined the engine is seized, with metal fragments in the oil. Have made multiple attempts to contact the dealer where the car was purchased. To date, no response. Car is currently not drivable.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #87

Mar 022017

Sorento

  • 84,200 miles
Vehicle was on the highway at approximately 55 mph, ready to get off off ramp when vehicle started running rough and turned off, on 2-28-17 in the morning. We towed it to the Kia service. They diagnosed sludge in the engine and that it has to be replaced. The vehicle only has 84K miles and the oil changes have been done every 3 to 4 K. they requested all the oil service records.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #86

Jun 042016

Sorento

  • 55 miles
Engine failure engine stopped in middle of highway traveling at 55 mph straight highwayput family in danger 2016 June oil leaking all over ground and electrical failure pushed car to side of highway.140000 mile past warranty Kia refuse to fix.

- Stronghurst, IL, USA

problem #85

Dec 302016

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I noticed that upon starting, my Kia let out blue smoke. I saw no warning lights, no oil on the ground, no indication of a serious problem other than the smoke. I have a little over 95,000 miles on the car and a 100,000 mile warranty I made an appointment to service the car and have it looked at. Everything was running fine and driving fine. Three days later, the check engine light came on. No other indicators were present. I drove the car a short distance and it seized up while I was traveling at about 45 mph. I changed the oil on a regular basis & did the normal service work. The car was towed to the dealer. The dealer inspected the car and said it needed a new engine and rear end. The rear end would be covered under warranty but the engine would not. I did not have my receipts for oil changes. I am trying to get Kia to honor the warranty. They will cover the rear end but not the engine at this point.

- Sugar Grove, IL, USA

problem #84

Dec 242016

Sorento

  • 62,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle abruptly decelerated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder, attempted to check under the hood, and found that the engine was on fire. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #83

Nov 022016

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 65,707 miles
The engine started burning oil, the engine had 65,707 miles when we notify the dealership where we bought the vehicle. We asked the dealership people to replace the whole engine and they only rebuild it. We're so upset and not supported since we are still paying a lot of money for this vehicle and not having guarantee O how long this fix will work.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #82

Dec 082016

Sorento

  • 104,000 miles
Catastrophic engine failure, stationary, engine seized up after owning it for 10 months. 104,000 miles, oil changes regular, metal shavings in oil, no oil lights or engine lights on.

- Waupaca, WI, USA

problem #81

Nov 152016

Sorento

  • 111,000 miles
Driving on a city highway at approx 40mph, engine died, check engine light came on. Lost power steering etc. Coasted to side of road, car would not restart. Had to call towing company to get it to Kia main dealer. Engine had completely seized (spun main bearing). It has had regular maintenance using mobil 1 synthetic oil. Engine was at 111,000 miles and is being replaced under Kia 120K mile extended engine warranty.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #80

Nov 142016

Sorento

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt; however, there was an abnormal sound from the hood. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would not accelerate higher than 50 mph. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that metal shavings were located in the oil, and there was catastrophic engine failure. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #79

Oct 122016

Sorento

  • 61,600 miles
Within the week before Wednesday, 10/12/16, both my wife and I heard a "clicking" noise from the engine compartment. We notified our local auto mechanic and they, too, heard the noise but we're not able to make any diagnosis. Then, on the date noted, after accelerating into traffic on a 4-lane hwy (hwy 101, South toward santa rosa, ca), at a speed of about 65 mph, there was a loud, alarming knocking noise in the engine. The engine did not die / quit, but we were able to brake and pull off immediately. It was obvious that we could not proceed safely, so we called a tow truck to take us back to lakeport. There our mechanic informed us of the need of an engine replacement.

- Lakeport, CA, USA

problem #78

Sep 252016

Sorento

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. When the contact started the engine, thick white smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was oil sludge around the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #77

Oct 092016

Sorento

  • miles
10/09/2016 driving home from being evacuated because of hurricane matthew, with my daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby. While going down the hwy 65 miles per hour, we heard a loud noise, I felt a thump under my foot on the passenger side. We later learned it was the rod that went through the engine. Thank god my husband costed the car over to the side, it would not start. We called for help from a friend they picked us up. Towed the car to Kia dealership in myrtle beach. We have just learned they are not going to pay for a new motor. They have determined it was not their fault!! how is this possible"? with all these complaints. Why is there not a class action law suite"

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #76

Oct 032016

Sorento

  • 118,200 miles
On my way to work I hear a loud pop. Then after that I could hear a knocking noise every time I accelerated. I had the car towed to the dealership I bought the car at. I was told I had a rod knocking, if I could provide proof of oil changes every 7500 miles they would see if Kia would cover this. My oil is changed every 5000 but done at home not a dealership or lube place. I did not keep my receipts of oil and filter bought. Therefore I was out of luck. They could get a rebuilt motor for $6100 with a year warranty. But, they could not find a used motor. The general manager at the dealership was so rude to me on the phone and even used foul language. He said that I had never serviced my car which is nowhere near the truth.

- Naples, TX, USA

problem #75

Jul 092016

Sorento

  • 114,000 miles
Son was driving vehicle on interstate. Started making a noise and then stopped. Had it towed. Dealership said it was the bearings on the underside of crankshaft. 114,000 miles so out of warranty. Had to replace engine at cost to me of over $7,000.

- Richlands, VA, USA

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