Home · 2012 Kia Sorento · Complaints

What 875 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento

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)

104 of 875 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 4 of 5

Mar 5, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND OBSERVED A HUGE CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH NEAR THE TRANSMISSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. KIA OF LANCASTER (1608, 5250 MAIN ST, EAST PETERSBURG, PA 17520) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE EXHAUST HANGER HAD MELTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ROD #4 BLEW INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11076296

Feb 27, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureFire

DRIVERS ROCKER COVER LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED AND SHORTED OUT STARTING A FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR WE WERE JUST PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT OUR HOME. THEN THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI 11075310

Jan 15, 2018Visibility & wipers1 injury

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF/MOONROOF EXPLODED FOR NO REASON AND DROPPED GLASS DOWN ON ME AND ALSO A MEAL BAR SWUNG DOWN AND HIT ME ON THE SIDE OF MY HEAD. FORTUNATELY IT WAS EARLY MORNING AND NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AROUND ME, OR THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. NOTHIN HIT THE ROOF PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION, A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I HAVE CUTS ON MY HANDS AND A WELT WHERE MY HEAD WAS HIT. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11062786

Dec 13, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH REAR PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, WHICH FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL FOR A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. JENKINS KIA OF GAINESVILLE (3345 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609, (855) 764-9404) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE DATA FROM THE BLACK BOX IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11054544

Aug 16, 2017EngineFire

ON 08/10/12017 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA SORENTO ON I-40. I HEARD A "RATTLING NOISE" FROM THE ENGINE. AS I SLOWED DOWN THE SOUND GOT LOUDER. I TURNED ON A SIDE STREET INTO A SAFE AREA AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW 2 SMALL PATCHES OF FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT, THEN RAN TO A BEST WESTERN HOTEL AND ASKED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN CASE A FIRE WOULD ERUPT AGAIN. I RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT ON 03/17/2017 KIA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR 2012 SORENTOS. KIA'S RECALL: SC147: " BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE" THIS IS ON KIA'S, NHTSA'S , PBS AND FORBES WEBSITES. [ NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V224000 "MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE"] I CONTACTED KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS # AND THE PERSON TOLD THAT MY 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HE SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD JUST RETURNED WITH MY FAMILY 1 DAY PRIOR FROM A TRIP TO MOBILE, AL. (1500 MILES ROUND TRIP). ON 08/12/17 I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO BATTLEGROUND KIA WHERE THE ADVISOR & TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM A "THROWN ROD".THIS HOLE IS 3" TO 4" DIAMETER. (PICTURES ATTACHED). I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROD TO BE THROWN? I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON SCHEDULE THE LATEST WAS 07/26/2017. THIS VEHICLE HAS 123,937 MILES ON IT. HE REPLIED HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. ON 08/15/2017 I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE WITH 99,000 MILES WAS $6400 PLUS LABOR. [THAT IS ABOUT 24,000 MILES LESS THAN MINE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM LINGERING TO HAPPEN AGAIN] IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL WITH MINE. I WOULD LIKE KIA MANUFACTURING TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ENGINE AND RENTAL VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME. I'LL LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THIS. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11015830

Aug 7, 2017EngineFuel systemFire

WE HAVE A KIA SORENTO 2012. PASSENGERS SMELLED GAS 4.5 HOURS INTO A 5 HOUR TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA. STOPPED AT REST STOP AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS COMING FROM CAR. WE DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 30 MINS INTO PHILADELPHIA AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAYS ONTO LOCAL STREETS. JOGGER ON SIDE OF ROAD FLAGGED US DOWN WITH "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" WE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE KIA SORENTO'S ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE ENGINE FIRE WITH WATER. NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI 11013481

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

Jul 26, 2017LightsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, COOPER KIA 5056 COMMERCIAL DRIVE, YORKVILLE NY, 13495, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING HOUSING UNIT MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11010794

Jun 20, 20171 injury

REAR TRUCK DOOR LIFT GATE SUPPORT, TAIL GATE SUPPORT. I WAS CLEANING OUT OUT OUR VEHICLE WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE BACK DOOR OPEN, AND NEXT THING I KNEW HE DOOR HAD SLAMMED DOWN ON ME. ONE OF THE LIFT GATE SUPPORTS GATEWAY AND BLEW AND COLLAPSED ON TOP OF ME. I SUFFERED FROM A MAJOR HEADACHE AND SOME MINOR BACK PAIN. I'M GRATEFUL THIS WAS NOT MY CHILD WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT WORSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE.. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND NO RECALL LISTED NOR COVERED WE HAD TO REPLACE AND REPAIR OURSELVES. WE PURCHURSED NEW ONES AND REPLACED TODAY WHEN WE RECEIVED THEM!

NHTSA ODI 11000314

May 11, 2017AirbagsCrash

THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT AND THE CAR WAS TOLLED.

NHTSA ODI 10984842

May 8, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. A PASSERBY STAYED WITH THE DRIVER UNTIL A STATE TROOPER WAS PRESENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THE FLAMES WENT OUT OVER TIME. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10984187

Mar 19, 2017SteeringSuspensionAirbagsCrash1 injury

TAKATA RECALL- I HAD JUST STOPPED TURNED A CORNER AND THEN VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE.

NHTSA ODI 10967040

Dec 29, 2016EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, ATTEMPTED TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10938549

Mar 19, 2016EngineFire

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH DOWN 269 HIGHWAY WHEN ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE SOUND AND THEN SMOKE STARTED GOING OUT THE TAIL PIPE AND THEN UNDER THE HOOD THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND RASISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE . LUCKELY SOMEONE ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND HAD A FIRE EXSTINQUER AND PUT IT OUT. CALLED POLICE THEY WOULD NOT COME OUT CALLED INSURANCE AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011 AND ALWAYS KELPT IT SERVICED, THEY TOOK IT TO THE KIA LOT WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND SAID IT WAS A FIRE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD COST $10,000 TO FIX IT WE WERE STILL PAYING ON IT. SO THE INSURANCE CALLED IT A LOSS. NOW WE ARE OUT CAR AND NO MONEY TO BOOT. I HAD JUST TOOK MY GRANDBABY HOME IT COULD OF BEEN REALLY BAD. I GOT ON THE ENTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER 2012 KIA SORENTOS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10850516

Dec 22, 2015Transmission & drivetrainCrash2 injuries

ON AUGUST 23, 2015, A 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STATIONARY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING ANY INTENTIONAL ACTION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NUETRAL OR REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE BACKWARDS. AS IT MOVED BACKWARDS, IT KNOCKED OVER AND DRAGGED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, WHO AT THE TIME WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A PERSON STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE, PINNING THAT PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V626 FOR 2011-2013 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES INVOLVING WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM.

NHTSA ODI 10811773

Dec 14, 2015Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FRONT GATE. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG AND KNEE INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 106,927.

NHTSA ODI 10810148

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

Oct 28, 2015EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND LIFTING UP THE HOOD, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE, OIL AND A SMALL FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FLAME SELF EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 02/02/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 10786603

Mar 27, 2015Electrical systemLightsFire

ON MONDAY, MARCH 23 AT 8 PM, I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. I LOVED UP AND WENT INSIDE. AT 4:30 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING, MY SON CAME INTO OUR BEDROOM SAYING BE THOUGHT SUNSHINE WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF. I WENT TO THE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT, AND IMMEDIATELY SEE THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT. WE CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE WHOLE BACK HALF OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ROARING. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR ROLLED OUT ARSON. IT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED AND IT WAS TERRIFYINGLY CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS ALREADY IN OUR YARD WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY SON HAD NOT WOOLEN UP WHEN HE HAD. THE FIRE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK, WE ARE LUCKY THERE WANT A FULL ON EXPLOSION. THE WEATHER WAS MILD AND DRY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. I SIMPLY CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. MY BEST GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING SET OF THE CAR ALARM WHICH ON TURN SHORTED AND SPARKED THE FIRE IN THE FLASHING REAR LIGHTS. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND IN PERFECT CONDITION THAT I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10702294

Feb 23, 2015Visibility & wipers2 injuries

I WAS TRAVELING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE SUNROOF WAS FULLY CLOSED AND HAD IMPLODED WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. GLASS HAD FALLEN ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RESULTING IN MINOR LACERATIONS. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE VISIBLE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS SUCH AS ROCKS WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 6/19/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI 10689999

Nov 14, 2014Seat beltsCrash2 injuries

I WAS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 3RD VEHICLE. I WATCHED MY 9 YEAR OLD WHO WAS BUCKLED IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE GET THROWN AROUND FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS DURING THE FIRST IMPACT, I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AS WE WERE HIT A SECOND TIME AND I WATCHED HER GET THROWN AROUND FORWARD AND BACKWARD AGAIN. THE SEATBELT DID NOT ENGAGE AT EITHER POINT OF IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10654923

Oct 26, 2014Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

MY 10-YEAR OLD SON, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS PLAYING IN OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IT'S THE PUSHBUTTON START TYPE AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY FOB. THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE. REGARDLESS, WITHOUT THE CAR STARTED AND WITHOUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. BECAUSE THE SORENTO WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO COAST BACKWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. OUR SON TRIED TO PUT THE SUV BACK INTO PARK. BECAUSE IT WAS MOVING, HE WAS UNABLE TO DO THIS. SO, IN A PANIC, HE JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK AND TRIED TO STOP IT BY GETTING BEHIND IT AND TRYING TO SLOW IT DOWN. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND ENDED UP BEING CRUSHED BETWEEN THE SORENTO AND A TREE IN THE YARD. THIS RESULTED IN A HUGE LACERATION IN HIS KNEE, SERIOUS BRUISING TO HIS LUNGS, 4 CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED PELVIS. HE SPENT NEARLY 3 WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING 10 DAYS IN THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I TRIED TO RECREATE WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK WITHOUT MUCH FORCE AT ALL. THIS IS WITHOUT A KEY FOB IN THE CAR, WITHOUT THE CAR BEING ON, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND WITH THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR OPEN. OUR SON WAS VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10650090

Jul 26, 2013Visibility & wipers1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING HIT THE GLASS TO CAUSE IT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VINE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/08/14*LJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A CUT FROM THE GLASS. UPDATED 01/09/14

NHTSA ODI 10531972

Jul 26, 2013Transmission & drivetrainLightsBody & structureCrash

MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD GOT INTO THE VEHICLE TO GET A DRINK. SHE HIT THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT WENT FROM PARK TO GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL UNTIL COMING TO A STOP BY HITTING A TREE. MY NEIGHBOR TRIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BUT HE COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN BECAUSE IT LOCKED. MY CHILD WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. KIA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT GO OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION AND THE BRAKE IS PUSHED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10532081

Feb 12, 2013Transmission & drivetrainCrash

MY WIFE PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND OPEN GARAGE DOOR TO TAKE TRASH OUT TO CURB. SHE LEFT THE CAR IDLING AND IN PARK. MY DRIVEWAY HAS SLIGHT INCLINE. IT TOOK HER ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES TO BRING TRASH TO CURB. WHILE APPROACHING THE KIA SORENTO SHE NOTICED IT STARTED ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. PANICKING SHE TRIED TO REACH IN AND KILL THE ENGINE. SHE WAS HIT BY DOOR AND KNOCKED HER ONTO THE DRIVERS FLOOR WITH HER FEET OUTSIDE THE CAR. SHE TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO LUCK SLOWING DOWN THE CAR. AS SHE GOT TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CARS SPEED HAD INCREASED ENOUGH WHERE SHE COULDN'T HOLD ON ANY LONGER. SHE WAS THROWN FROM THE CAR INTO THE STREET. TAKE ONE STEP BACK NOW. WHEN SHE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY SHE PUT THE CAR IN PARK ALLOWING HER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I GOT THERE AFTERWARDS NO ONE HAD TOUCHED THE CAR YET AND THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE SORENTO HAD TO SLIP OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. REASONING IS BECAUSE 1) IF LEFT IN ANY GEAR OTHER THAN PARK DOOR WOULDN'T OF UNLOCKED. 2) IF LEFT IN GEAR THE CAR WOULDN'T OF STAYED IN ONE PLACE IN THE DRIVEWAY HILL FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE STARING TO ROLL. TRYING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THEIR KIA SORENTO SLIP FROM PARK INTO NEUTRAL! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10497876

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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 verdict →