What 875 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact’s spouse stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The contact's spouse noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, prompting the contact’s spouse to pull over to the side of the roadway. Moments later, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The local fire department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire; however, the cause of the fire had not yet been determined. The vehicle was completely consumed by the fire and deemed destroyed. No police report was filed, The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact’s spouse stated that the incident was extremely traumatic and believed the vehicle posed a serious safety hazard. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11736289

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the post office; after 3 to 4 minutes, she was alerted by a consumer that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact noticed fire emerging from the undercarriage. The TPMS warning light had been illuminated prior to the incident. Post office employees attempted to extinguish the fire. The fire department was called and successfully extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. Police were also present at the scene. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 23V-652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11717233

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that, while driving at 60 MPH, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting her to attempt to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. During the attempt, the contact stated that she then heard an abnormal pop, after which the vehicle lost motive power, and within a moment, the entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Upon exiting the vehicle and being assisted by bystanders, the contact was informed that the bystanders had attempted to alert her on the road as they had observed flames emanating from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, and injuries were not reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,334.

NHTSA ODI 11694509

Hey I’ve Recently Wrecked My Vehicle Due To Malfunctions This Year Just A Few Months Ago & I Reported It To The Dealer Before I Crashed It. That Something Was Wrong With The Engine And Also Sent The Dealership I Purchased It From Videos Before Hand But Nobody Would Listen To Me. Now My Car Is Sitting In A lot Engine Blowed And I Can’t Afford Another One. I Have Proof , Names And Also Couldn’t Get My Car Fixed Because I Only Had Liability Insurance Only. No Report Was Filed Because Me And The Other Vehicle Was Transported To Uab Hospital.

NHTSA ODI 11688229

[XXX] brought car in to dealer with engine problem, I was told it needed a new engine and would be replaced under warranty. April 27th 2025 I picked up my car, two weeks later on [XXX], driving home from work the engine caught on fire, I was able to pull over, got out and called 911. In 5 minutes the whole front end was engulfed in flames. Coconut Creek Police arrived first, then the fire department. The fire department extinguished the fire. I didn't notice any warning lamps, car was driving fine, I filed a claim with my insurance, AAA, I also spoke with the KIA service manager about it, He said it could have been an old brittle fuel line, they only replaced the engine. My AAA insurance company has the vehicle and is inspecting it. The Coconut Creek Police in FL has a report # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11661590

The engine was replace May 1, 2025 and on May 11, 2025 the car caught on fire. It was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11660651

On August 23rd 2024, I drove this vehicle all day. But, upon reaching our final destination (ER department entrance) smoke began rolling out from under the hood. Once getting out to inspection the vehicle someone hollered for a extinguisher. I turned to look at the vehicle and I could see underneath of the 2012 kia sorento had flames. My son was still in the car so my mother and I ran to get him out of his rear facing carseat and ran away from the vehicle. At this time the vehicle still had a fire that went out with extinguisher but quickly light back up. After this the whole are and car filled with smoke. Fire department was called and this took them awhile to fully extinguish the fire. This could have hurt myself, my child, and my mother. I lost alot of valuable things including my son's new carseat, my children's double stroller, a tablet, clothing, etc. I have called Kia as I found out there was a recall that kia has none about and started sending notices out November 14th 2023. My vehicle sat at a kia dealership from January to March 6th and if this recall was so drastic such as a car fire why was this not taken car of when my vehicle sat for 2 months. I have a call into Kia as of Monday August 26th 2024. I am still waiting for a rep to be assigned my claim and to speak to them. As of Today August 28th 2024 Noone has reached out to me.

NHTSA ODI 11611298

While waiting for notification that the remedy part was available for this car, it caught on fire. It caught on fire on 6/20/2024. The car is a total loss and it was a very dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI 11596263

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the malfunction indicator lamp warning light illuminated and the contact heard a loud sound. The contact stated that the sound was like something had fallen from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed white smoke that exited the rear exhaust and white smoke that exited from under the front hood of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. The local Fire department and Police department arrived on the scene. A police and fire reports were filed however limited information for the reports was available. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer inspected and determined that the failure was no fault of the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11588479

This 2012 Kia sorento caught fire and burned. Believed to be part of the recall 23v652

NHTSA ODI 11585161

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at approximately 30 MPH as the battery and alternator warning lights illuminated. Another driver then alerted the contact that the vehicle had caught fire under the hood. The contact merged to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact mentioned that a third of the vehicle had been engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact sustained injuries to her knee from the door while attempting to exit during the incident. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed totaled by the insurance agency. A fire report was filed but there was no police report filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hyraulic) however the recall remedy was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. VIN Tool Confirms Parts Not Available.

NHTSA ODI 11554406

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in her carport, she was awakened by her son that a fire had ignited and that the vehicle was in flames. The contact then stated that the fire from the vehicle had extended to her home living room. As a result, half of the house was in flames. The contact stated that she and her family were able to exit her home to safety and then notified the fire department. The fire department had extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The family's iguana pet passed away due to the fire. The contact then stated that the vehicle was towed to a tow lot and inspected by the insurance company and that the source of the fire was near the carport area and may have been electrical related but was to be determined. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. Additionally, the contact stated that she was not notified that the VIN was included in a recall, and upon research she discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546854

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

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

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 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

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