2012 KIA SORENTO Complaints

View complaints related to 2012 KIA SORENTO. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 850 complaints submitted for the 2012 KIA SORENTO. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Frisco, TX

    Engine started making noise. Took to Kia dealer who suddenly stated engine had to be fully replaced. Problem was confirmed by 2 Kia dealers. There were no warning signs, messages, lamps or indicators to the catastrophic nature of the engine failure needing to be fully replaced.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Baltimore, MD

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact pulled over safely and restarted the vehicle. As the contact was restarting the vehicle there was a clicking noise. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic but no cause of failure was determined. The vehicle was towed back to the same mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. The contact stated that the battery, check engine, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Bradford, MA

    Driving and all power stopped and vehicle had to cruise on a busy route. Car going downhill was able to turn into a restaurant parking lot a few hundred yards away. Lucky to escape cars going past on on the other side in which I had no choice but to turn into. My mechanic looked over vehicle and determine engine seized. Vehicle being towed to dealership where it was purchased for their evaluation this Friday. No warning lights. Dealership is stating that there are no recalls, but we will be covered if the connecting rod is at fault. One of the recalls 17V224000 or Kia's SC147 states that this engine, which was manufactured between Aug 2010 and May 2014 (Feb 2012), may have bearing wear resulting in engine seizing. I will have to await the dealerships diagnosis to answer some of the above fully.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Gray, GA

    Replaced the headlight bulbs in my wife's car around 80k miles when 2 of the 4 bulbs went out. I noticed the lenses were discolored from the inside slightly but didn't put much thought into it. The vehicle now has a little over 144k miles and I have replaced the high beam bulbs once again, and the low beam bulbs twice more, and the low beam bulbs I have had to replace the connector due to burning on both sides, and the driver side is burnt out again. This shouldn't happen and means there is too much power going to the bulb, which is a fire hazard as well as a safety hazard as I can't keep a bulb working in that slot.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Lebanon, OH

    My passenger headlight went out again. I've taken to the dealer. They replaced the burnt out fog lights too. This is the 4th time in less than a year! I filed previous complaints. Had the headlights replaced repeatedly. Something keeps shorting out. There's an electrical problem. I can't keep replacing my headlights all the time. When the one side goes out, the other follows. This is becoming a real safety issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Randallstown, MD

    I take very good care of my Kia, but over the last year I have been losing oil. The dealer said that it's consumption and command problem. We have not been able to get a hold of Kia. Please help.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Lexington, NC

    We had some kind of fuel leak that caused smoke to come from the hood and the car to overheat. The check engine light did come on. We were on our way to the mechanic and the car died on us in the middle of the road. The car was taken to two different mechanics 3 different times. We had the thermostat housing replaced, the intake manifold, and the head gasket. Submitted documents to Kia showing our problem. They said they needed more proof showing there was some type of leak. I found the original papers today from the first mechanic that states "fluid leaking, smoke from under the hood, car shut down". I asked if I could submit those documents since they say exactly what Kia was looking for. I was told that those documents wouldn't make a difference in the outcome and they would not be reimbursing me anything on this matter. I have paid almost $3000 to have my car fixed and Kia will not reimburse for anything even tho I have the proof they told me that they needed. Kia has not been helpful at all through this matter. They have no intention of reimbursing me even tho my recall letter states they will if I have proof showing there was a leak and smoke coming from the engine. I received the recall letter 4-6 months after I had made the repairs.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Snellville, GA

    We were traveling down the highway and without warning engine cut off. We were able to put in neutral and start back up and continue our drive. I took it to my personal mechanic and he replaced the charcoal cartridge (it was clogged), the cost was $750. 2 weeks later i was driving and while sitting at a red light, the engine cut off again. I put car in N and it started right back up. My mechanic then took the car to KIA to be evaluated and they found nothing. I drove car and 2 weeks later it did it again! slowing down for a red light ahead and engine cuts off. There is NEVER any warning to this, and it doesnt prmpt the check engine light to come on, so it is not showing any codes from the ECM. This is becoming a safety risk and needs to be solved. As this has occured 3 times in the last month.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Sellersville, PA

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the check engine oil light illuminated. The contact heard some knocking sounds coming from the engine. The contact drove to her residence and refilled the engine oil reservoir with approximately three quarts of oil. The contact stated that all of the oil had leaked out and puddled on the driveway the following day. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was diagnosed and it was determined that the oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact reported that the vehicle was still leaking oil. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Guaynabo, PR

    When I acquired the 2012 KIA Sorento, in 2018, I noticed that it was burning oil; it also has a mild-to-moderate clicking sound. I received a notification from KIA, instructing me to take the unit to the nearest Dealer for repair. Said Dealer flatly refused to repair it, claiming that it had been imported from the Continental US to PR, a US Territory. I appealed their decision to no avail. My wife is the main driver of the Sorento, and I am extremely concerned for her safety. Can a Dealer "refuse" to obey/fulfill an Official Recall from the Manufacturer? Finally, just to give you an idea of the oil-consumption problem, I have to add a quart of synthetic oil every 200 to 300 miles. Now consider the price of oil nowadays. I would truly & humbly plead for your help on this matter. Thank you.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE