2012 Kia Sorento Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that coolant was leaking onto the ground of the garage. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that while attempting to replace the head gasket, the thread had pulled out from the block. The contact was informed that the engine short block and additional parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the engine was not the engine included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 118,871.
The engine is constantly loosing oil but it’s no leaking it’s burning somewhere there is always tons of smoke that come from the burning of it upon contacting Kia they stated that it isn’t their problem.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and failed to exceed 30 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that that her daughter veered the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
On Saturday September 23,2023 I was driving thru the City of Spring Garden, Alabama at 9:30 am. I was traveling at 45 MPH when I heard a light tapping noise coming from the engine compartment and almost an instant later the engine locked up and the right hand tire locked temporarily causing loss of steering control only lasted a couple of seconds and then the right tire freed up. I coasted to a stop. I tried to restart the engine but it would not turn over. I had the car towed to a local garage and after inspection determined that a main bearing had spun. The vehicle was running perfect up to this instant with no issues.
After about 30 minutes of driving the vehicle through the city and letting and sit in the parking lot, oil started leaking heavily. Eventually, the engine became completely seized and the starter began to release smoke nearly starting a fire. I looked inside the engine compartment and saw that the bearing had come loose and made a hole through the block. Before purchasing the vehicle, I used my scan tool to check for codes. No codes came up. No lights were on the dash. Luckily, the engine seized on the parking lot and not in the middle of the highway. The engine and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. I checked to see if the vehicle had any recalls and sure enough, this exact problem showed up as an open recall. The Kia dealership has denied repairing the problem. They said that its not eligible for repair because the "KSDS software" update was not completed. However, the notice was not sent to me as I am not the first owner. Upon speaking with the Kia manufacturer, I was advised that the vehicle is in fact eligible for repair and engine replacement. The dealership obviously will not take my word for it and I'm having trouble getting the manufacturer to contact the dealership and have them replace it.
I was driving on highway when without warning it just died and I was almost rearended. I noticed that the Ecoboost wasn't working anymore so I was just in shock.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate with the check engine warning light and the temperature gauge warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.
I purchased this vehicle used in August of 2021. It has not been a pleasant experience, nothing but problems. Yesterday 2/6/2023 my Mechanic changed the oil and said there is iron shavings in the oil and the motor is shot and needs to be replaced. He said I should check on the recalls as this is known to be problems with this vehicle. I have checked on the NHTSA Site and it says 0 unrepaired recalls, however I would like to dispute this as this is what is wrong with my Sorento according to my Mechanic. He verified that this could definitely cause an engine compartment fire. If you need a list of all the things I have already paid to have fixed let me know and I will gather the list together. There have been warning lights coming on constantly, Yes the vehicle is available for inspection however I am driving it as it is my only car I have. Please let me know my next step. Thank you!
engine just stopped. will not turn over. call kia. not on list. repair yourself. they are not reparing any cars. said they were but denying everyone. check the records. all talk and no action. pleasing the judge.
Engine locked while driving on the highway. Vehicle was in condition and recently had a vehicle oil change.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ECM needed to be updated and that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in TSB: SC106. The contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired under TSB: SC106. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 203,000.
Recall I purchased my vehicle in a private sale sometime around 2018, I believe. I can get more specific date if you need me to. I have reached out to the Kia dealership multiple times since regarding the recall on my vehicle due to engine issues which have been known to cause vehicle fires and/or failure. I have been told each time that I was ineligible for the recall due to some failure to act prior to my purchase of the vehicle. I received a letter in the mail today from the US District Court for the Central District of California saying that I should get the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) update done to my vehicle which is covered by recall and that as part of a class action, the vehicle warranty will be extended. Can you please explain to me whether I qualify for the recalls listed for my vehicle and what I can do if the dealership denies my request again? I do not want my family driving in a vehicle that could potentially endanger them, and I also have concerns that my vehicle is beginning to experience the issues the recall was intended to mitigate. Then when I found this website, it said that if we experienced issues with the recall fulfillment to submit a complaint. Please help.
My vehicle engine light went on. Error codes P0014 Exhaust timing and P0661-Intake valve control were scanned according to KIA dealer. The oil control solenoid valve inline4 right and left were replaced at substantial cost. Kia would not repair under warranty. The oil level would go down shortly after oil change and engine was louder and vehicle doesn't operate as before even after repairs. It is my understanding that there is a Class Action Lawsuit Leslie Flaherty et al v Hyundai Motor Company et al Case No 8:18-CV-02223 US District Court for Central District of California. I do not know if my problem is covered under this class action lawsuit
Was driving on highway car started making noise, wasn't sure where the noise was coming from by the time I could pull over my car started shaking and it was clearly coming from the engine. My engine went out so fast without warning. Only 120,000 miles.
Car seized up while driving. No warning light or anything engine just seized. Leaving my six kids and I stranded. Car ha always been serviced with Kia of Chattanooga and at Firestone. No known issues reported. Have more proof but it happened today and have to get paper work from Kia of Chattanooga and Firestone on Knoxville Tn. More then welcome to speak with manager [XXX]. He is well informed and offered to help in this matter. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Started smelling a burning smell of my car was driven more then 5 miles from under the hood thought it could maybe be the oil. I got an oil change but that didn’t change the burning smell it comes through the vents if I have the button selected to us the outside air and to recycle the air in the cabin. There was a recall on this make and model for engine fires and I’m unsure if mine was one and if it was fixed as I just got this car a year ago.
Engine started making noise. Took to Kia dealer who suddenly stated engine had to be fully replaced. Problem was confirmed by 2 Kia dealers. There were no warning signs, messages, lamps or indicators to the catastrophic nature of the engine failure needing to be fully replaced.
While passing a vehicle car started missing and shut off with the engine locking up.No prior warning giving. Very dangerous situation.
The engine shuts of going down the road. Can not be driven. Talked to mechanic, and they said to send in information as that is a common recap issue for Kia.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact pulled over safely and restarted the vehicle. As the contact was restarting the vehicle there was a clicking noise. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic but no cause of failure was determined. The vehicle was towed back to the same mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. The contact stated that the battery, check engine, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Was driving down the highway and went accelerate and seem my RPMS reach the top, then noticed vehicle was ‘off’ . Seemed to have no brakes or steering. It was dark and wintertime and my car died in the middle of the highway. Feel lucky to be alive with all the vehicles that nearly missed me.
The car was running hot and I took it in and the mechanic said liquid was coming out of the head gasket. Kia gave me a quote to replace the engine. We were fearful the car would just shut off while driving with our infant son and hot engine air blowing through the vents. The vehicle was inspected by Greenway Kia in Franklin, Tennessee. The check engine light came on and I took it to the Kia Dealer.
Driving and all power stopped and vehicle had to cruise on a busy route. Car going downhill was able to turn into a restaurant parking lot a few hundred yards away. Lucky to escape cars going past on on the other side in which I had no choice but to turn into. My mechanic looked over vehicle and determine engine seized. Vehicle being towed to dealership where it was purchased for their evaluation this Friday. No warning lights. Dealership is stating that there are no recalls, but we will be covered if the connecting rod is at fault. One of the recalls 17V224000 or Kia's SC147 states that this engine, which was manufactured between Aug 2010 and May 2014 (Feb 2012), may have bearing wear resulting in engine seizing. I will have to await the dealerships diagnosis to answer some of the above fully.
We were traveling down the highway and without warning engine cut off. We were able to put in neutral and start back up and continue our drive. I took it to my personal mechanic and he replaced the charcoal cartridge (it was clogged), the cost was $750. 2 weeks later i was driving and while sitting at a red light, the engine cut off again. I put car in N and it started right back up. My mechanic then took the car to KIA to be evaluated and they found nothing. I drove car and 2 weeks later it did it again! slowing down for a red light ahead and engine cuts off. There is NEVER any warning to this, and it doesnt prmpt the check engine light to come on, so it is not showing any codes from the ECM. This is becoming a safety risk and needs to be solved. As this has occured 3 times in the last month.
I take very good care of my Kia, but over the last year I have been losing oil. The dealer said that it's consumption and command problem. We have not been able to get a hold of Kia. Please help.
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Quick Summary
The 2012 Kia Sorento has 323 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.