What 875 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento

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.

NHTSA ODI 11532781

Unknown. Push start engine failed on first and second try. One minute later the engine is one fire.

NHTSA ODI 11520051

These vehicles were never equipped with an alarm to notify drivers when parked in any other gear other than 'Park'. If the driver parks vehicle in 'Reverse' and do not set the parking brake, he/she can shut off the engine with no alarms notifying the driver to move shifter to park. An incident occurred with this vehicle in which the driver parked it overnight in a parking garage on level 6. The space appeared level, but is on a very slight incline. The vehicle (miraculously) remained in place overnight. However when the same driver proceeded to use the vehicle the following morning, it wouldn't start (obviously because you cannot start these vehicles unless the shifter is in 'Park' or 'Neutral'). He thought the battery was dead, not thinking to check the position of the shifter. After trying to get the vehicle to start with no success, he left the vehicle to use his personal vehicle. After leaving this vehicle, it rolled out of position and proceeded backwards (halfway down the incline between levels 6 and 5), turned slightly and hit the wall inside the parking garage (causing almost $6,000 of damage to the LR corner of the vehicle). The safety issue lies in the fact that this vehicle could have collided with another parked vehicle (with someone inside it) or another vehicle making the turn from level 5 to proceed to level 6. The vehicle could've also struck a pedestrian inside the parking garage. If the speed was greater, the vehicle could've damaged the section of the parking garage it struck and dislodged fragments of concrete (possibly causing it to fall on people and/or vehicles below).

NHTSA ODI 11507084

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 65 MPH, an abnormal fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. His wife was then waved down by a fellow motorist that alerted her that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact stated that his wife had difficulty stopping the vehicle as depressed the brake pedal. Once the vehicle was stopped, an unknown color smoke filled the vehicle's front cabin as she and the other occupants exited the vehicle. No occupants were injured and no medical assistance was rendered at the scene. The vehicle was extinguished by the fire department and a fire report was filed. In the fire report, the investigator linked the cause of the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000(Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine); however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an investigator was sent to diagnose the cause of the failure; the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The dealer was also notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11479372

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and had a burning odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall did not apply to her vehicle as she was not the original owner. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11457974

Went to park put on the breaks and vehicle accelerated and could not stop went over the cement parking lot space and hit the post of the commercial building. Luckily no one hurt except the post. No individual. This accident was today 2-19-2022. Police report number. 22-0145. Cape May,NJ Police Department. This happen at least three other times. Once going thru a red light. Do not recall dates.

NHTSA ODI 11453012

There was the smell of gasoline inside the cabin. Then the check engine light came on. Smoke began coming from the engine compartment. The fire completely engulfed the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11452634

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact noticed that the driver’s side headlamp failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring had melted, and the headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, a couple of months later the failure recurred on the passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where it was diagnosed the wiring melted and the passenger’s side headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure twice. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Headlight has replaced once 02/22/2022.

NHTSA ODI 11444803

The car randomly started to burst j to flames. Our car is now totaled because of an engine compartment fire.

NHTSA ODI 11442042

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front headlight had stopped working. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the wiring harness in the headlight was melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The headlight assembly was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431394

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on the startup of the vehicle, the engine would begin to knock and blue smoke would emit from the muffler. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer with needing gaskets replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428531

THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED ME SO I COULD PULL OVER. THE ENGINE FIRE DESTROYED THE CAR. I NOTIFIED KIA 1 MONTH LATER, BUT THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED/DESTROYED BY USAA. KIA REFUSED ACCOUNTABILITY (EVEN THOUGH KIA WAS FINED BY THE GOVT FOR CARS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL WITH THIS ISSUE).

NHTSA ODI 11408344

I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT BROKE DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 20 MINUTES ON 12/10/2020. IT WAS IN COBB COUNTY GA OFF OF EW CONNECTOR AND IN BETWEEN FONTAINE RD AND FLOYD RD.

NHTSA ODI 11384057

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2012 KIA SORENTO SX. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE THE ROAD. AS THE VEHICLE STALLED SHE NOTICE BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11378490

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAME TO A STOP AND STARTED TO SMOKE, A FIRE IGNITED AND CONSUMED THE FRONT END

NHTSA ODI 11372756

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 11354182

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.

NHTSA ODI 11342176

THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 45 MINUTES AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN. I HAD NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I WALKED OUTSIDE TO THE DRIVEWAY AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS UNOCCUPIED AND WAS NOT RUNNING. THE SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. I UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A PAN OF WATER. I LET IT COOL OFF AND CRANKED IT AND MOVED IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH APPARENTLY HAD MELTED AND THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11322468

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.

NHTSA ODI 11321957

I HAVE A 2012 KIA SORENTO. I HAD ISSUES WITH A RECALL WHEN THE DEALER USED A PROBE TO LOOK FOR METAL SHAVINGS IN MY MOTOR. CAR STARTED BURNING OIL. AFTER 4 MONTHS OF ARGUING WITH THE DEALER, KIA FINALLY REPLACED THE MOTOR IN JANUARY 2018. NOW ON 3/9/2020 I AM 4 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. I SMELL GAS AND THEN MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. KIA HAS A RECALL ON "CERTAIN" 2012 KIA SORENTO'S HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT ONE. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY DID MINE CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11317252

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). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11268063

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.

NHTSA ODI 11254066

PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED / SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. *DT CUTS TO HAND ON STEERING WHEEL FROM FALLING GLASS. *JB

NHTSA ODI 11243288

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.

NHTSA ODI 11241352

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISES, SMOKING, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SEIZED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE. MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PART ON MANUFACTURING DEFECT RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS CHECKED BY A KIA SERVICE SHOP FOR THIS OVER A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME I ASKED IF THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD OCCUR AT A LATER DATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FINE NOW. THEY SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD STILL OCCUR AT A LATER DATE BUT WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COULD FAIL/LOCK-UP, CATCH ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11233839