Home · 2012 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid · Complaints

What 875 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (875)Crash / fire / injury (104)Engine (460)Electrical system (127)Brakes (101)Airbags (79)Lights (60)Transmission & drivetrain (55)Fuel system (38)Body & structure (35)Speed control (29)Visibility & wipers (28)

101 of 875 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 4 of 5

Feb 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 98K+ MILES ON IT FROM STEVENS CREEK SUBARU. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY RECALLS NOR ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS WEEK, I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE IN THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE EVERY TIME I BRAKED. ITS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HITTING PIECE OF PLASTIC. IT HASN'T CHANGED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR THAT I CAN EASILY TELL. HOWEVER, THIS EVENING, MY MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS NOT TURNING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE I DROVE OFF THE LOT, BUT GIVEN IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE WASHER FLUID, I'M NOT CONVINCED IT WAS SERVICED PROPERLY. I'M ALSO NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT EASILY WHEN I AM NEEDING TO PICK-UP SPEED WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THE SHIFT TRANSITION ISN'T SMOOTH. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HEAT FEATURE ON THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT WORK - IT WORKED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11174900

Dec 14, 2018BrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE ENGINE SPRAYED OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARKSIDE KIA (9929 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (844) 755-6461). THE DEALER WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO DETERMINE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAULTY ENGINES THAT WERE SHIPPED FROM KOREA; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,337.

NHTSA ODI 11161323

Nov 26, 2018SteeringBrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A LACK OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MURRAY KIA (LOCATED AT 1402 WEST RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 279-3020) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11153675

Oct 2, 2018Electrical systemBrakes

FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED, UPON INSPECTION THE HARNESS WIRE TO HEADLIGHT BURNED AND MELTED AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE BURNED. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO COMPUTER AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO KIA OWNERS OF NUMEROUS MODELS. APPARENTLY KIA INSTALLED A ODD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS HEADLIGHTS AND BURNS OUT WIRING . VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE CAUSING TO VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE LIGHTS AS WELL. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WON'T REPAIR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM CREATING A EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNER FOR A BADLY DESIGNED ARRANGEMENT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON I 95 IN DELAWARE THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET HAPPENING ONLY ON KIA VECHICLES

NHTSA ODI 11132878

Jul 19, 2018Electrical systemBrakesEngineFire5 injuries

I WAS DRIVING A 2012 KIA SORENTO WITH THREE OTHER PASSENGERS AND OUR FAMILY DOG. I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF MY CAR THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR PASSING ME SINCE MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH A NEW ENGINE AND NEW TRANSMISSION. I LOOK AGAIN THERE IS NO CAR GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY AND NOW I SEE A LOT MORE SMOKE. CARS COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY ARE FLASHING ME AND WAVING SO I FIGURED I'M PROBABLY OVER HEATING. I STEER TO THE RIGHT ON A STEEP HILL THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK I QUICKLY THROW IT INTO PARK THE GEARS ARE GONE SO NO PARK. AT THAT POINT WE SEE FLAMES SHOOTING AT US. MY DAUGHTER AND I OPEN OUR DOORS THE CAR IS SLOWLY ROLLING DOWN THE HILL, THE DOOR HITS HER SHE GOES FLYING THE CAR ALMOST RUNS HER OVER. I TAKE THE CAR AND I'M HOLDING THE 4,000 POUND CAR BACK FROM ROLLING DOWN THE HILL SO THE KIDS AND DOG IN THE BACK SEAT CAN GET OUT. THEY FINALLY FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, GRABBED THE DOG BY THE COLLAR. I LET GO OF THE CAR IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND STARTED TO EXPLODE. WHAT A HORRIFYINGLY EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ODI 11112496

May 28, 2018Brakes

TAKATA RECALL MY TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A NOISE WHEN I BRINGING IT TO A STOP AND MY TIRES START GOING TO THE LEFT ALSO IT HAS NO TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR LIGHT FLASHING BUT I CAN FEEL THATS THERES SOMETHING WRONG ALSO WHEN I PARK IT MOVES A LITTLE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON SO THAT IT WONT BOUNCE INTO GEAR AND MOVE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11098245

Jan 19, 2018Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN FROM ANY SPEED GREATER THAN 20 MPH TO MAKE A STOP, WHILE PRESSING THE BREAK THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM GEAR SHIFTER AREA. EVERY TIME WHEN UNDER APPRO 10 MPH THIS CLICKING HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11063839

Aug 3, 2017Speed controlBrakesEngineFire

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON I-15 JUST 3 MILES SOUTH OF SCIPIO, UT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. I GOT INTO THE FAR RIGHT LINE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT. AS WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I BREATHED IN A LITTLE BIT OF THE THICK SMOKE THAT CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENT, BUT MY WIFE DID NOT BREATHE ANY OF THE SMOKE. THE HOOD AREA WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER WE ESCAPED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER THIS INCIDENT STARTED. EVERYTHING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO ABOUT HALF OF THE TRUNK AREA WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI 11012531

Apr 13, 2017LightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

CAN NOT MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR IS STARTED. CAN NOT SHIFT CAR OUT OF SELECTED GEAR WHEN MOTOR IS RUNNING. ESC LITE IS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND BRAKE LITES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THESE DEFECTS OCCUR. SYMPTONS EXPERIENCED ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000. KIA DEALER REPLACED BRAKE LITE SWITCH-SAYS SUV DOES NOT FALL WITHIN POPULATION OF VEHICLES IDENTIFIED UNDER KIA SC098 RECALL. I AM OF THE OPINION MY SUV SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THIS KIA RECALL AND I SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. MY 2012 SUV SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V114000 / KIA SC098.

NHTSA ODI 10972331

Apr 10, 2017SuspensionBrakesEngine

MY ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE IN MOTION. THE FRONT END POPS DURING BRAKING, AND A BOLT HEAD BROKE OFF THE AWD HOUSING.

NHTSA ODI 10971682

Jan 27, 2016Brakes

SORENTO RECALL. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO.114.REQUIRES THE SERVICE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. WHEN EXCESSIVE FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE PARK POSITION CATCH IN THE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM CAN CHIP OR CRACK. THIS DAMAGE CAN CAUSE THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE MOVED OUR OF PARK WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THUS THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND OR INJURY ESPECIALLY IF DRIVER IS NOT PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI 10822501

Nov 3, 2015AirbagsBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING THE A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TO CRASHED INTO A RESTAURANT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE LOCATION OF THE CRASH AT THE TIME OF THE CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,741.

NHTSA ODI 10788146

Sep 26, 2015Electrical systemBrakesEngine

FRIDAY 9/18/15 10:40 AM, BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT SLOWLY INTO A ROAD. ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND PARK IT AGAIN, BUT BRAKES STILL FAILED AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CURB AND TREE AT CURB TO STOP VEHICLE. TOWED TO ED VOYLES KIA ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD IN ATLANTA WHO FOUND NO RECORD OF THE INCIDENT IN COMPUTER AND THAT ALL DIAGNOSTICS WERE NORMAL AND THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I SENT THEM THIS LINK WITH OTHERS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES AND TOLD REP ABOUT OTHERS' EXPERIENCES:HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2012/ENGINE/ENGINE.SHTML. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO COBB COUNTY KIA IN KENNESSAW, GA. THEY MAINTAINED NEGLECT ON OUR PART B/C OIL LEVEL WAS AT 0 (PREVIOUS DEALERSHIP SAW NO PROBLEM HERE), ENGINE HAD MAJOR SLUDGE AND PARTICLES OF METAL IN IT, NEEDED FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR $6500 DIDN'T MAKE SENSE WITH OUR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE BRAKE FAILURE, THOUGH REP SAID IT DID. HAD IT TOWED TO AAA CAR CARE PLUS IN MARIETTA. COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND SAID THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, WAS IN GREAT SHAPE, WAS FULL OF ALL FLUIDS. MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE 0 RECORDS ON COMPUTER AND THAT ONE OF DEALERSHIPS LIKELY WIPED IT COMPLETELY CLEAN. HAVE RENTED A CAR IN MEANTIME BECAUSE MY, MY HUSBAND'S, MY TWO KIDS' AND OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS SAFETY WOULD BE COMPROMISED. OTHER COMMENTS ONLINE MENTION PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE, SOME ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO REMEMBERED THAT MY HUSBAND HAD HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK, WITH NO LIGHTS COMING ON AT ALL. HE GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT, AND HE WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. WE RELAYED THIS TO THE MECHANICS TOO, BUT THEY SEEMED NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INFO. WE CANNNOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 10777850

Jun 21, 2015Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED ON 3-25-15 WITH A FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS MY WIFE AND I BOTH NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDDLE DRIFTING TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO CRAWL FORWARD. DURING LONG STOPLIGHTS THE BRAKE PEDDLE WILL SLOWLY DRIFT TO THE FLOOR AND HAS TO BE PUMPED UP. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS AN IDIOT THEY DID A CURSORY INSPECTION AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FOUND AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. I LEFT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND FOUND THAT AT ALMOST EVERY STOPLIGHT IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING LOOSE BREAKING AND BEGIN TO ROLL FORWARD. I THEN TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC "IN & OUT AUTO" HE STATED TO ME THERE WAS BREAK LOSS AND PEDDLE MOVEMENT TO THE FLOOR AND RECOMMENDED I RETURN IT TO THE DEALER. I DID SO THE NEXT DAY EXPLAINING WHAT I WAS TOLD SO THEY HAD A DIFFERENT MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND HE WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE & MAKE THE VEHICLE DO THE SAME THING "BUT" THEY KIA SAID THERE WAS NO NEED OF REPAIR AND THIS IS NORMAL AGAIN SENDING ME HOME. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AND ALSO I NOTED ON REVERSING AT A STORE PARKING LOT THE BREAKS FADED WHEN PEDESTRIANS WERE WALKING BEHIND MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. I HAVE KIAS PAPERWORK SHOWING BOTH TRIPS TO THEIR SHOP WITH NOTHING BEING DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10726468

Jan 27, 2015Brakes

I PURCHASED CAR AROUND SEPTEMBER 2013. I STARTED TO NOTICED SOMETIME LATER IN 2013. AS I PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, GET TO THE END OF DRIVEWAY AND STOP TO WAIT ON TRAFFIC. I NOTICED THIS GRINDING LIKE SOUND WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. HOWEVER I ALSO NOTICED THIS SOUND WHEN I APPLIED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO GAS PEDAL. SO WHEN I TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE I ASKED IF MY BRAKES WOULD BE CHECKED, THEY SAID YES. TOLD ME BRAKES WERE FINE. CONTINUED TO HEAR THIS NOISE. EXPLAINED THE NOISE ON ONE OCCASION AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE GETTING SERVICE AND THEY STILL SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT IS NOW JANUARY 2015 AND I STILL HERE THAT SAME NOISE. I DECIDED TO CHECK ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUES AND SINCE I WAS ABLE TO FIND AT LEAST 2 OTHER CASES REPORTED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD REPORT WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME TO AND HOPEFULLY IT WOULD BE LOOKED AT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. THEY CALLED IT BRAKE HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT OR IF ANY SOLUTIONS ARE BEING LOOKED AT BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE REPORTED THIS BACK IN 2012 AND HERE IT IS 2015 AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10679258

Sep 23, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR BRAKE PAD BECAME STUCK. IN ADDITION, THE TEXTURE OF THE FRONT ROTOR WAS SMOOTH AND SHINY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10638359

Jul 22, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE EXITING, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL AWAY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 10615421

May 6, 2014SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS EITHER STALLED WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES AND ACCELERATION OR WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES AND ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10586772

Mar 26, 2014SteeringBrakesEngine

THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES! WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, ENGINE DIES, POWER STEERING OUT, POWER BRAKES OUT. AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL, CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART, AND FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR WEEKS. KIA DEALERSHIP FINDS NOTHING WRONG AND NO "CODES" TO INDICATE THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10574852

Dec 23, 2013Brakes

2012 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HIS FOOT ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI 10556704

Jul 25, 2013SteeringBrakesEngine

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (55-65 MPH) OUR VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN; ALL ELECTRICAL POWERED OFF, ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOSS OF ABS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SHIFTING INTO 'PARK' POSITION. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, ALL UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10531913

Jan 24, 2013SteeringBrakes

THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW OR ON WET PAVEMENT. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE - IT JUST GOES WHERE IT WANTS TO. THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF LIVES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS THE VERY LIGHT 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, PROBLEMATIC SUSPENSION, STEERING, OR TIRES, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WILL DEFINITELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE MUCH, MUCH SAFER TO DRIVE IN WET AND/OR SNOWY WEATHER. IT IS DIFFICULT NEGOTIATING A HILL IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHETHER GOING UP OR DOWN. I LITERALLY SLIDE INTO THE STREET FROM MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS BY NO MEANS A VERY STEEP DRIVE AND I CERTAINLY CANNOT MAKE IT UP THE DRIVE IN THE SNOW WITHOUT FIRST BACKING UP INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVE AND GETTING ENOUGH SPEED UP TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF MY DRIVE. WE BOUGHT AND UTILIZE THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE DELIVERIES AND PUT UP TO 500 MILES PER WEEK ON THE CAR AND OUR DRIVER NOW REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE IMMINENT DANGER -- HE CALLS IT A DEATH TRAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10494596

Sep 24, 2012Seat beltsBody & structureLatches & locksSeatsBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. ..UPDATED 11/01/12 *BF UPDATED UPDATED 11/02/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10476871

Feb 14, 2012Brakes

DURING SLOWING, AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THIS VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISES WHICH GO AWAY IF THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKES. THE NOISE EVENTUALLY STOPS AS THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. THIS KIA SORENTO APPEARS TO STOP NORMALLY, BUT THE NOISE DOES NOT INSTILL CONFIDENCE, NOR DOES THE NOISE SOUND NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH 6,615 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10447991

Feb 1, 2012BrakesAirbagsSpeed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIRBAG LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND THE ENTIRE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND BRAKES WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 385. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 10446155

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Working with the data? Download all 875 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid verdict →