2012 KIA SORENTO Complaints

While passing a vehicle car started missing and shut off with the engine locking up.No prior warning giving. Very dangerous situation.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the front headlights had begun to flicker and then would turn off while driving at night. The contact stated that the failure had started as an intermittent failure, however, the low beam setting had failed and no longer worked. The contact only had high beams. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had opened the hood during daylight and saw that the headlight wiring harness and connectors had melted on the driver's side. The contact stated that she could touch the passenger side lamp harness and the light would work. However, if she attempted to tighten the harness connection the light would not work. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. THE HITCH THAT HOLD THE DOOR SHUT IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT ALWAYS KEEP DOOR CLOSED. IT WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

Airbag light is on, indicating a malfunction with the SRS. This is a common issue with this make and model from this year, with several thousand complaints online. Repairs are often over a couple of thousand dollars Since this is such a common issue and complaint, I believe a recall should be issued due to faulty equipment, and the financial burden should not fall on the consumer. The issue began a few months ago, and has been checked by a mechanic. The mechanic has confirmed that there is an issue with the SRS, and the airbag could potentially not deploy when expected, or could deploy without cause, which could cause an accident resulting in injury or death.

The steering wheel ignition lock is easy bypassed by using only a small screwdriver or USB cord. This makes the car easily stolen and therefore violates the requirements of 571.114 which requires a "starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents.. the normal activation of the vehicles engine or motor". This affects all Kia / Hyundai vehicles with a normal keyed ignition and without a vehicle immobilizer produced from approximately 2009-2022. Since the technology required to comply with the regulation (i.e. a vehicle immobilizer) is readily available and available on other cars from this maker, the vehicle manufacturer knowingly violated this regulation. I request a NHTSA inquiry into this clear safety defect. We are constantly living in fear of our cars being stolen any day now, this is sad!

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.

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.

Since I purchased the car on 9/14/2020 I have had to get brakes done 3 times. First bought and replaced the brakes within 30days then on 12/22/21 replaced again and on 6/24/2022 brakes rotors and calipers.

My headlight are so dim at night I have to drive with my high beams on. I've cleaned and replaced bulbs and they are still very dim.

was driving and no warning lights came on and then the engine seized up after buying it 3 months ago. then took towed to kia vw billings mt and they now have had the car for almost two weeks and none of my rights are being met and no communication back to me wont respond to several of my calls. i will be filing a lawsuit against either auto resource in billings mt for selling me a faulty vehicle or going after kia vw of billings mt for lost wages as i drive for a living and im disabled and have been treated very very poorly.