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
    - Huntsville, TX

    In 2017 there was a recall on the Rear Wheel Sensor that I had already paid to have fixed in 2016. I was refunded in 2017 for the paid recall. The same issue has come up again on my car with the ABS, traction and stability control lights coming on. I will be taking it to the shop to repair again. I feel this could be another recall issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Charleston, WV

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine started knocking and then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle to get the vehicle home. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Bethlehem, PA

    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.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Princeville, HI

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH in a traffic circle the engine seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the vehicle was shaking while driving back to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the RPM’s would rev without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Chelan, WA

    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 $3,000. 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.

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

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel cap; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 17,272.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Cape May Point, NJ

    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.

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

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Jacksonville, FL

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair in January 2020. The dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH inadvertently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle would not exceed 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer (Ed Voyles Kia of Smyrna - Atlanta 2145 Cobb Pkwy SE, Smyrna, GA 30080) where it was diagnosed that the knock sensors malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to go on limp mode; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer who updated the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a diagnostic report to the manufacturer; however, the manufacturer declined to cover the engine replacement under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) because the vehicle was out of warranty. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,705.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
    - Dayton, OH

    We were on our way home from the grocery when the oil light started coming on and off. We noticed a line of oil down the driveway, the car made a low kind of buzzing sound. Husband climbed under and looked. Massive oil leak, appeared to be coming from bottom of engine block around oil pressure sensor switch. Vehicle is a 2012 Sorento 3.5 liter with 90,000 miles. Kia said it is not on the recall list but this is the same problem with the vehicles that are on the recall list. Dealer wants nearly $1000 to fix the issue. My vehicle is parked and undriveable. We had no issues before this.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE