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 7 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #314

Nov 182020

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles

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

I was driving on the highway going from Arizona to Utah, suddenly I hear a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. The car starts losing power and then completely seized up, luckily we were able to pull over. We turned off the car and tried to turn it on again but it wasn't turning on.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #313

Nov 102020

Sorento

  • 130 miles
I was driving and heard a knocking sound. I came to a stop sign and the car stalled. It restarted but had no power. I turned and tried to go a little further had no power. I managed to get the car off road and into the bypass lane. Car would not start again. I had to call for tow truck.

- Garrison, MN, USA

problem #312

Nov 022020

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle was being driven and completely shut off, came to a stop and started to smoke, a fire ignited and consumed the front end

- Bedford, PA, USA

problem #311

Oct 302020

Sorento

  • 170,000 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 while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and oil level warning lights illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral and the vehicle was pushed to the nearest parking lot. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The contact stated an independent mechanic came to her residence and diagnosed the vehicle with an engine rod bearing failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #310

Oct 062020

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
Engine seized while rolling to a red light.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #309

Sep 012019

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
The motor seized causing the vehicle to stall. I was driving winding mountain roads at a consistent 40-45 mph and when I took one of the curves, the motor seized causing the power steering to also fail. Which made it very difficult to steer away from the cliff adjacent to the road. My mechanics replaced my motor but said the original motor was completely seized to the point that he couldn't work on it.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #308

Sep 022020

Sorento

  • 100,000 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 when the vehicle was started, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to greenway Kia of rivergate, 1536 gallatin pike N, madison, tn 37115, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned the dealer only completed an oil change. The contact also stated that while driving, a very bad knocking noise occurred that was coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer and was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was just purchased sometime in February from the same dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Madison, TN, USA

problem #307

Jun 122020

Sorento

  • 132,450 miles
Vehicle was in motion when the engine failed on a major highway. Replaced engine 2-3 years ago for the same reason, turned into local Kia dealership and they refuse to replace the engine saying its not covered under warranty. The dealership is refusing to do a full inspection of the engine. Contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and they're also refusing to let dealership perform a full inspection of the engine to determine cause of failure. Vehicle has been at monroeville Kia since 06/12/2020 and they have been extremely poor in keeping us updated of progress or not. Kia recall number SC147 NHTSA number 17V224000

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #306

Dec 012016

Sorento

  • miles
When me and my husband purchased the SUV used in 2016 from a huyndai dealer that is local, there has always been a sensor lit that we had no clue what it was. We were never told anything about it, they told us the vehicle was in good condition that it was inspected and everything. We took the SUV to Kia in 2019 to have the oil changed, and had them check the motor to see if they could explain why we were going thru oil weekly. While we were there the service person told us that the OCS mat does not function that it needs replaced and that is what that sensor is for which we would have not known and the dealer that sold it to us never told us anything. I figured it was a weight sensor for a child as I am not an expert on the safety of vehicles.... also, we were told that when the dealer sold us the vehicle as is that they never had a safety inspection done prior to put it on the lot. The last documented safety inspection on the vehicle was done when it was sold brand new when the first original owner bought it from the Kia lot I believe in another state. Kia told me that they have to do the safety inspection before selling it on the lot because a non Kia dealer sold us the vehicle. I did contact California state about my complaints and was told there was nothing that I can do to prove I didn't cause it but I have never been in any accident in the SUV that would cause the airbags to go off..... I am driving daily with my children in the car without working airbags. I cannot afford to replace the OCS mat and I believe I shouldn't have to. Also, we have had issues with our gasket that we had to get fixed, we are constantly going thru oil and we only drive it around town. We are having to add oil in it every week so the engine does not blow. We now have a vacuum leak in the gasket.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #305

Aug 052020

Sorento

  • miles
I own a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 150000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #304

Aug 012020

Sorento

  • 93,000 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 while driving 45 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle stalled and shutoff with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there were children in the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the roadway and was towed to the manahawkin Kia dealer, located at: 270 NJ-72, manahawkin, NJ 08050, where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the VIN. The contact was referred to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Nanuet, NY, USA

problem #303

Jul 152020

Sorento

  • 108 miles
My Kia Sorento 2012 engine suddenly caught fire while driving on a major desert highway which my insurance upon inspection determined it was caused by a piston rod piercing the engine which although other Kia models are part of a recall and class action lawsuit, my VIN was not included.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #302

Jun 012020

Sorento

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to dutch miller Kia located at 335 mccorkle ave, charleston, wv 25303 however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Atwater, OH, USA

problem #301

Jul 132020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
Vehicle unexpectedly will intensely jerk and immediately locks up the driving controls as the engine stalls and starts to seize causing the vehicle to stop while driving on highways, and restraining from any acceleration, steering, or power use.

- Kasson, MN, USA

problem #300

Jul 012020

Sorento

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the oil level warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while idling. The vehicle was taken to smith Chevrolet Inc (1911 eastern ave, gallipolis, oh 45631) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine bearings were defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Chesapeake, OH, USA

problem #299

Jul 112020

Sorento

  • 143,800 miles
My engine started knocking when I got off the highway and stopped to make a left turn. I got to work and waited a few hours then checked the oil. I found the oil was low and added more, I turned the vehicle on and still heard the knocking. I have been having a lot of issues with keeping oil in my vehicle, there are no leaks, drips or anything on the ground. I have noticed water like liquid dripping from around the exhaust just rear of the oil pan and frame and my rpms drop when from about 800 to less the 500 when stationary. I keep up with all the oil changes with the Kia dealership in my town, did what recalls were requested by Kia. My vehicle has approximately 143,800 miles. I checked for any recalls and found my VIN number was unrelated to any.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #298

Jun 262020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 120,863 miles
While driving on a four lane highway, the car's engine just cuts off on its own while I was in traffic. All of the lights on the dashboard come on. I put my flashers on and it allowed me to restart and drive and it did it again. The third time I started it, I turned off on a less crowed road to get to another stretch of road and drove very slowing for about 10 miles to get it home. I could smell something coming from under the hood and I didn't park it in the garage. The smell was strong and the hood very hot to the touch. I didn't want to chance it catching on fire. What should I do? I keep the oil changed and had it done on 6/22/2020.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #297

May 012020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 100 miles
Driving on the thru-way going 65 mph when my vehicle jerked forward suddenly. I was able to pull over, vehicle lost control of steering and brakes and completely just 'shut off' on me with no fore-warning. Called aaa, tech. Could visibly see a belt which had ripped out of engine and was dangling under vehicle. I then had vehicle repaired- a new belt was installed, a brand new alternator, new brakes, oil change. 3 weeks after this event, I was again driving on the thru- way in almost the same exact location and this happened again.. my vehicle just went dead, this time slowing down and dying. Called aaa, they serviced me off the thru-way (thru-way division) and upon having vehicle looked at my choice shop.. I was told that my vehicle had completely seized (was now totally dead) and was non- repairable without a new engine. Also told that my vehicle had little oil even though I had only 3 weeks prior gotten an oil change and car repairman could not report any physical issues with oil connections, ie. Gasket leak, drain plug, seal issues. Due to the amount of monies I have spent from day 1 on this vehicle, my experiences and the lemon the vehicle has proven to be, I find this incredibly unsettling and know that there were issues going on with this vehicle prior to it going onto the road that should have been repaired and were not due to no fault of my own. Aside from these issues, in past there were several other problems related to the locks and windows locking on there own while vehicle in motion and fuses related to this as well as the vehicle shocking me when opening drivers side door handle which is incredibly unsafe! I request that someone please look into the recall withholding which has come to light with Kia and my vehicle qualifying for these recalls as Kia has told me that they are unwilling to assist me financially as well as West herr.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #296

Jun 132020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 95,716 miles
The vehicle, a 2012 Kia Sorento with 95719 miles, is up to date on all recalls as it is regularly serviced at the dealership. While entering a busy highway on 6/13/2020, and accelerating past 45mph, the engine stalled. The check engine and battery lights came on, making it seem like the car wasn't even started. We were able to pull the vehicle off to the shoulder, put it into park, and tried to start it again. The car acted like normal on starting (starter turned, power was available) for everything but the engine turning on. We called a tow truck and the family mechanic. The alternator and battery were fine, no error codes were detected on the can bus reader instrument, so everything seemed normal on the computer. After numerous attempts to start the vehicle in park, the vehicle was able to start in neutral. This is a potentially deadly stalling fault for a vehicle to have on any roadway.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #295

Mar 152020

Sorento

  • 93,500 miles
I had my car serviced on 3/13/2020. I had a cracked valve cover gasket. I drove my car on 3/15/2020 to my dad's house. It was parked in my dad's driveway and turned off. About 15-20 minutes later it was on fire. The fire was on top of the hood over the engine area. Within minutes the whole front half of the car was an inferno.

- Burlington, KY, USA

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