I was driving down the highway at about 65mph when my 2012 Kia Sorento completely shut off, the instrument panel lights all came on and I fortunately was able to drift to a stop. The car would not start back up. Had it towed to the Kia dealership where they told me that the crankshaft had seized due to mechanical debris in the engine. The dealership said that this is a very common problem with my make and model regardless of engine type, but only the gdi engine was recalled. My specific engine was not recalled and I would be left to pay to have the engine fixed due to a mechanical failure not of my causing. This doesn't make sense, it is the same problem found with hundreds of thousands of Kia Sorentos 2011-2013 whether they are a gdi engine or the same type of engine I have. Why were not all engine types recalled if all engine types have this exact same issue?

- Austin, TX, USA

There were premature engine barring wear which caused the car to seize and blow a rod out the bottom of the car which started a small fire. I was getting off the highway when engine light had come on when I got to on ramp it sputtered and stalled, oil light came on and car stalled then people yelled get out cause there was a fire under the front of my car. Police incident report number [xxx] trp. Harrison 616-403-0698 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Wayland, MI, USA

At about 80,000 miles during routine oil change, they told me it was 4 quarts low. I did oil changes regularly before this (every 6 months / 5,000 miles). The engine consumed (burned?) 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now at 93,000 miles on the odometer, the engine is burning 1 quart every 500 miles.

- Greendale, WI, USA

The engine stalled out without warning and would not restart while driving, in moderate traffic at about 30mph.

- South Salem, NY, USA

Suddenly at 95000 miles engine started to use oil but it's not burning it or any leaking from engine. I have to check oil weekly and will need a quart ever 800 to 1000 miles. After reading many posts on this subject all are having the exact same issues as we are. Kia will not take ownership for this problem and terrible engine design. They need to be held responsible for this issue.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

My Kia Sorento has had the oil pressure sensor go out twice in two years. While driving my vehicle is changed when supposed to be and still this is the second time driving it has done this on a city street.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

2012 Kia serento 2/25/2017& Kia had a "anti-corrosion"recall and we had it serviced at mike smith Kia in paducah, ky-4/14/17, we will call this document1.then we we received major engine recall in September 20,2017 about 2012 Kia serento's stalling, document 2.we took the vehicle to wyatt johnson Kia of tn. October 7,2017 & we were told if it did not pass their tests they would replace the engine.ok, well they said it passed, and changed the oil, &supposedly put an "mil" sensor and"mil" dash light to detect oncoming engine failure and send the car into what they call a 'limp" mode. Which is not documented on document #3 which to our surprise it passed because it had been making an knocking sound and experiencing some attempt's of the vehicle stalling.yes after the oil change ran some what smoother, but still every now and then we would get an occasional throttle spike, or an attempt to stall.got an recall to do a logicupgrade, & took it immediately to wyatt J. Kia Dec.12,2018, diagn. Did not detect code from knok sensor but cautioned, on perform fuel injection/throttle body service for $199.95 documents #4&5 the we hear about this fuel pump and fuel line recall in Michigan on 68,000 vehicles in our year, make and model, which raised a red flag to why our vehicle was continuing to throttle spike's and more apparent attempts to stall.however no recall on our's"have gotten 2 more recall's since on our vehicle, one headlamp low beam connector warranty extension, &two air bag clock spring, called Kia to schedule an appoint. For replacement and asked about the fuel pump issue and it possibly being the reason for the throttle spikes & stall attempts all this time, but no recall for our vehicle, and want to charge$120+$199.for diag.and throttle body/fuel injection, but free replacement of air bag spring ass."have to keep oil changed, because start's to run really rough.this is getting old!

- Cadiz, KY, USA

My engine was replace on original recall. I keep bringing it back for overheating and running hot and they keep telling me nothing is wrong. Is there a defect in the replacement engine afraid to drive my car car it does not get hot until you drive it for a while or long trip

- Hampton, NJ, USA

My Kia Sorento is burning excessive oil. I had it at a dealership 6/2019 for a recall to replace the engine. I was told it was ok at that time. Shortly after the recall evaluation was completed, the check engine light came on in 07/2019 due to loss of oil about 800 miles after an oil change at mineke. They topped it off and had me come back in after 1000 miles and told me I had an oil consumption issue and to take it to a Kia dealership to follow up. I went to an official Kia dealership to have it documented by them and they did the oil consumption test again. They said at the time the spark plugs and engine looked ok and there is a known issue but mine would not qualify to be replaced at this time and I could keep topping of the oil if needed. I brought it back after putting on 950 miles because the oil was very low. It had burned through 2.5 quarts. They said the engine is bad and 2 out of 3 spark plugs are starting to go. The engine should be replaced but it does not meet the criteria Kia has to be covered under Kia's extended warranty so it would be out of pocket. The vehicle only has 136,331 miles on it now and I still owe money on it so I would like to keep it but don't want to pay $6,200 to replace the engine. I called Kia directly and they created a case number. They recommended getting second opinion from another Kia dealership. Now I have to start this process over again. Meanwhile, my engine is getting worse and it is concerning me that it is not safe to drive. I found a class action lawsuit against Kia with reports of engines catching on fire. One death and 130 people have been injured. I drive with my two children who are 9 and 5 and I don't feel comfortable putting them at risk while I wait for a decision on this. At the very least I wanted this reported as a safety issue.

- Alton, NH, USA

I was driving on the highway uphill then hit the brakes and all lights lit up on dash and car died. Had car towed and 2 mechanic's told me that motor had locked.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving 45 mph, the vehicle lunged, jerked, and lost power. The vehicle was taken to hawkinson Kia (5501 miller cir dr, matteson, il 60443, (708) 720-8999) to have the recall repair performed. While at the dealer, the engine software was updated. After the repairs, the failures occurred multiple times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 105,286.

- University Park, IL, USA

I was driving my 2012 Kia Sorento on the highway driving to work going about 60mph and I feel a "klunk". as I tried to accelerate, my rpms were rapidly dropping, then I felt the engine cut. I popped it into N and had to make my way across the 3 lane highway. Coasted to a stop on shoulder and observed smoke from the engine compartment. Upon popping the hood, there was a small engine fire which I was able to extinguish. There was oil all over the place. Behind the engine, on the serpentine belt, on the radiator. It wouldnt crank so I had it towed. Auto shop called and stated "we checked the oil levels and it was at the L line on the dip stick. Tried to crank it to no avail, then tried to manually crank it as well. Upon further investigation, we noticed a hole in the engine block, with a piece of the engine missing. You are definitely going to require a new engine." Specifics, I have no idea what the issue may be.

- Odenton, MD, USA

The ball bearings went out on the front end causing both my front tires to wear right down to the wires on the tire treads. Within a few weeks of fixing them the engine seized in my car for the second time. While my 16 year old was driving it on the highway she sudden lost power and the vehicle started to slow down. She pulled off the road and had her brother take over driving it. He could not get it to speed or to shift so he put it in manual to get it off the highway. Once off the highway he called me. I followed him less then 4 miles to the local mechanic who listen to the engine and said to park the car as the engine was about to go. In the process of driving it home less then 2 miles the engine completely seized up.

- Waupaca, WI, USA

The engine on my 2012 Kia Sorento ran out of oil without any warning light or other indication of problem. Was driving at highway speed and accelerated to get around an 18 wheeler and the acceleration cut out, causing cars behind me to have to slow to avoid running into my rear. The Sorento quickly became very sluggish and progressively slowed down. I changed lanes to the right when safe to do so and stopped the car. I looked for problems under the hood and then checked the oil. The oil was completely empty. The engine oil light never came on and I had no warning that the oil was low. I had the car towed to a repair shop who said the motor is blown and must be replaced.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

I was turning onto the hwy. When without warning or any dash light warnings my engine made a loud noise like it fell apart and I lost power pulled to side of road. Called Kia they had it towed to dealership. 2 days later dealership tells me the engine spun a bearing. There is a recall for the same reason on this but they said its not on my VIN. # and it will cost $9,500 to get and install a used 78,000 mile engine in it, why would I put a similar used engine in it to have the same thing happen again. My engine is 1000 miles over its warranty. Very frustrating.....I looked on this site and I see a lot of people having the same problem. I'm glad I was just entering the hwy when it happened not doing the 70mph speed cause it may of had a much worse outcome. Something needs to be done to correct this thanks for reading my report.

- Arlington, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While the contact's nephew was driving approximately 50 mph, the engine seized without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While the contact's daughter was driving 70 mph, the engine completely failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to hart Kia (1361 E main St, salem, va 24153, 540-444-4444) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Fieldale, VA, USA

Last July my husband had changed my brakes and then went for a test drive just to make sure everything was working properly. Well, the engine shut off in the middle of driving. Called Kia and had it towed there(unreimbursed) replaced engine told them that sometimes the transmission would hesitate to shift into gear. Kia said nothing was wrong. Now, a year later still trans problem. Took to master mechanic that has a trans shop and that has been in business for over 40 years. He said it needed a software update from Kia for a hard transmissikn shift. Called Kia they said they had to "research problem", but had never heard of this happening. Also, my car shuts off if I have to do a hard brake even after my engine being replaced. Also, my gas lid wont open, my mirrors had stopped moving and my windows all stopped working. Having major electrical problem with fuse box. Apparently something is not grounded correctly Kia and is shorting out all my fuses. But I have to pay all this money to have a car that is barely that old have so many problems. If I could sue them for damages under lemon law I would. Very upset and scared to drive car and I have a ten year that is always in the car with me. Please investigate

- Millville, NJ, USA

Driving on the interstate or in town, I lose all power with no warning other than a jerk that feels like I have been hit in the rear. Then it goes dead. I crank it back up and it runs for a while then repeats. I took to Kia dealership and left it today, but they are saying it is not part of a recall, after Kia Corp. Told my father last week that it was a recall on the power train control module. It is there now to be checked 1st thing in the morning.

- Rocky Face, GA, USA

July 2016, while hwy driving my 2012 Kia Sorento (V6) (@69,000 mileage) the car abruptly stopped & smoldered (police called fire dept). Car was inoperable, towed to shop & then to Kia dealership who advised that radiator cap melted & they found "metal in coolant & the engine" (as noted on the Kia dealerhship documentation). He said he never saw such a thing. Dealer said engine needed replacement because of the metal found in engine & metal likely caused overheating which melted rad cap. Kia dealer installed new radiator & a used engine (w/43K mileage), costing me $14,000. The car has continued to make a knocking noise and recently 7/2019, @122K miles again smoldered & lost power. Radiator cap again "melted" requiring a 3rd radiator replacement. Gauges/dash showed no indication of car overheating. I fear problem is recurring with 2nd engine (same defect). Learned of 2012 Sorento recalls for exact issues (metal in engine, overheating/fire, knocking & power loss). Kia dealer (8/2019) informed me only 4 cyl units were recalled for metal in engine & my 6 cyl unit with the same engine-metal issues was not covered by Kia recall. I asked if anything related to car use or maintenance would have caused metal to contaminate an engine; dealer said no, problem is unrelated to car use or maintenance and a mfg problem was the only way the metal would show up it. But because there was no recall on the 6 cyl models repair costs were mine. They refused to contact Kia. My vehicle has the exact same problem as the 4 cyl models & it's a unique defect known on numerous Kia models. Kia dealer acknowledged my impeccable pm & service reord. They admit this problem would not be due to vehicle care or use, & know the problems w/ my 6 cyl are identical to 4cyls. I believe Kia may be underreporting the problem & failed due diligence to identify same defects in 6 cyl models.

- Savage, MN, USA