CarComplaints.com Notes: As long as catastrophic engine failure at under 60,000 miles is the top owner complaint, it'll be pretty hard to recommend the 2012 Sorento.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,228 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Sorento electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #73

Nov 282019

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since I purchased this vehicle brand new in December 2011 I have had to replace the headlight wiring 4 times and have to change the headlight bulb at least once every 2-3 months. Each time I have had the wiring harness replaced after the third light bulb change the wiring harness begins to melt and then loses connection with the bulb therefor my headlights are intermittent.

- Minneaplis, MN, USA

problem #72

Nov 162019

Sorento

  • 117,000 miles
I drive Kia sorrento 2012, its at 117,000 miles. For the last 6000 miles my car has started burning through abnormally high amounts of oil. It doesn't give any warning signs and the low oil warning light never comes on. For my last 3 services which were in June, August and November, all well before I was due for oil change, I was told that there was next to none oil left in my car. On Nov 16th, while I was driving on a freeway my car without giving me any warning or indication that oil was running low, decelerated from 60mph to 30mph and the check engine sign started flashing. I pulled aside and got it towed to a nearby car auto repair shop. I was told that there was next to none oil in my car and because it had been running without any oil my engine was all damaged. I was told that my Kia needed engine replacement. I was also told that the mechanic didn't find any leaks or other reasons why oil might be getting consumed so quickly. I searched online about why I might be having this problem and found that many other Kia owners across America are experiencing same problems with abnormally high amount of oil consumption. Since then I have been trying to get in touch with Kia corporate to see if they might be able to help me figure out what has been happening but I have been unsuccessful.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #71

Nov 022019

Sorento

  • 83,586 miles
On a busy highway rt.70 vehicle decals got to flashing on the dash broad all of them. Than lost all power.couldn't use flashers or anything. And got over to the shoulder.wait a few minutes nothing had to get it tow back to my sons. Try a jump after 3 minutes the vehicle shut back down.battery show good.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #70

Aug 082019

Sorento

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Last July my husband had changed my brakes and then went for a test drive just to make sure everything was working properly. Well, the engine shut off in the middle of driving. Called Kia and had it towed there(unreimbursed) replaced engine told them that sometimes the transmission would hesitate to shift into gear. Kia said nothing was wrong. Now, a year later still trans problem. Took to master mechanic that has a trans shop and that has been in business for over 40 years. He said it needed a software update from Kia for a hard transmissikn shift. Called Kia they said they had to "research problem", but had never heard of this happening. Also, my car shuts off if I have to do a hard brake even after my engine being replaced. Also, my gas lid wont open, my mirrors had stopped moving and my windows all stopped working. Having major electrical problem with fuse box. Apparently something is not grounded correctly Kia and is shorting out all my fuses. But I have to pay all this money to have a car that is barely that old have so many problems. If I could sue them for damages under lemon law I would. Very upset and scared to drive car and I have a ten year that is always in the car with me. Please investigate

- Millville, NJ, USA

problem #69

Jul 302019

Sorento

  • 165,000 miles
Driving on the interstate or in town, I lose all power with no warning other than a jerk that feels like I have been hit in the rear. Then it goes dead. I crank it back up and it runs for a while then repeats. I took to Kia dealership and left it today, but they are saying it is not part of a recall, after Kia Corp. Told my father last week that it was a recall on the power train control module. It is there now to be checked 1st thing in the morning.

- Rocky Face, GA, USA

problem #68

Jul 162019

Sorento

  • 69,000 miles
2nd complain for Kia engine. Dec. 2017 my engine seized. I spent on 5grand for a rebuilt engine. Original complaint was electrical system did not give me any indication that there was an issue with my oil or engine. Driving down a main street where my car suddenly died. I had to pull off to the side of the road. I was able to restart it. Once it was restarted you can hear loud clicking from the engine. Fast forward to a year and 4 months later. Rebuilt engine on Feb 2018.. car died again on 7/16/19. Once again no indication that there was a problem with my car. No oil light. I was driving on the highway when my car was not picking up on accelerating. I decided after work I put some oil into my engine. Schedule an appt with my mechanic to have my oil changed. The next day my car would not start. Had my mechanic tow my car and later tells me that it was my engine again. Stated he could find an engine for over 3grand for me. Unfortunately I do not have the money. I am now out of a car again with a newborn and trying to find rides to and from work. I just recently moved and cannot afford this. My VIN is not listed in the recalls and it should be. Kia has faulty engines and it is not just the one engine. Last engine failure was at 65000 miles. This time it is at 69000 miles. Why are my oil lights not coming on when there is low oil" why was this problem not fixed to begin with??" other problems with my car is my handle in the back seat pulled off (I am not that strong) electrical system (oil light not coming on, cruise control knocks out while driving, volume control for radio randomly calls contacts) Kia is a lemon but I don't have the money to repair a 2nd and probably 3rd engine. I don't even trust my car with my Kia dealership anymore because they are crooks and liars. I still have 10grand left to pay for this car!

- Bristol, PA, USA

problem #67

Jul 032019

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Kia Sorento, when driving at 30mph average, straight or turning, slowing down to a stop sign, or driving in parking lots, at the moment of pressing the brakes, the engine cuts off.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #66

Jun 302019

Sorento

  • miles
As I was driving, I noticed smoke coming from under my hood and when I pulled over to check, my car blew up in flames.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #65

May 062019

Sorento

  • 98,000 miles
While my vehicle was in motion on the highway going over 70mph my engine shut off, my speedometer dropped from 70 to 40 causing the vehicle behind me to have to pull into on coming traffic (two lane road going down mountain) to avoid slamming into my vehicle. Prior to this oil, check engine, and four wheel drive lights all began to flash. Pulled over, shut off vehicle and vehicle started after some struggle. Drove with hazards all the way home. Before this my vehicle would lose power while driving. My rpms would drop and hitting the gas did nothing. Every time vehicle starts making knocking sound before rattling and stalling out. Vehicle has been in motion every single time it loses power, or the engine stalls out. Immediately purchased car fax to see all open recalls on my vehicle. This is one of the major ones. Entire replacement of engine. Kia refuses to replace my engine and only kept my vehicle in the shop for 56 minutes before telling me it was ready for pick up. When engine is acting up, removing my foot from the gas does not slow the vehicle. This vehicle is incredibly dangerous and unpredictable.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #64

Jan 222019

Sorento

  • 117,200 miles
I have replaced the passenger side low beam light multiple times because of it burning out prematurely. I bought another bulb to have it replaced and the old bulb was still good. The new bulb was put in to verify that wasn't the issue. The auto parts store checked the fuses and all are ok.

- Dale, IN, USA

problem #63

May 222014

Sorento

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Kia recall. On May 22, 2014, my 2012 Kia Sorento caught fire and was totaled. There was no explanation at this time, but now it is coming to surface that these vehicles are spontaneously catching fire.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #62

Aug 272018

Sorento

  • 20 miles
I was driving the truck when I heard a loud noise like a fire gun than I saw smoke coming out from the engine, I pulled over and saw that the engine was already on fire, I got my two daughters out of the truck and five minutes later the whole truck exploted

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #61

Nov 082018

Sorento

  • 140,000 miles
While driving all warning lights on dashboard turned on and my car started shaking and I hear the engine turn off while in the middle of driving. I was in a residential area going down hill and speed limit was 25 mph so I was able to pull to the side of the road. The lights would stay on and would not turn off. The gears were stuck as well, it would not let me park the car. I waited a few minutes to turn car off and it worked. I used the emergency brakes to keep car from rolling. I then waited a few minutes to turn car on lights on again and was able to shift the car into park. I have my car service routinely and no warning of something like this could happen.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #60

Oct 272018

Sorento

  • 164,500 miles
Upon exiting the freeway on an out of town trip, my elderly father, 9 year old son and I began to smell a strong gasoline smell. There were no previous symptoms or signs of an issue and we just travelled about 250 miles. I typically drive alot in the city as well. In this case, I pulled into the hotel parking lot (right off the freeway) and there was a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood of the car. Because this occurred on Saturday evening and we were coming into town for an event, we were not able to contact warranty forever until Monday. Fearful, because I have heard of the many spontaneous fires that have occurred on my vehicle type, we have to wait to have it towed and inspected. The engine was replace in my vehicle, under recall, just last year. Thankfully, no one was injured. It could have been worse, very scary. I will be more than happy to upload any needed documentation after an inspection has been completed.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

problem #59

Aug 072018

Sorento

  • miles
Drivers side front turning signal keeps going out. I've replaced the bulb numerous times and it'll work for a few days and then it will stop working again.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #58

Apr 152014

Sorento

  • miles
I never received a recall notification for my vehicle. I was deployed from 2013-2015 and didn't have a physical address and I would like to get the issue fixed.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #57

Oct 062018

Sorento

  • miles
Takata recall: I purchased my call Feb. 11, 2017 and starting may I started having all kind of electrical problems. Fused kept blowing open every other day. Now fast forward to 2018 I go in for an oil change and find that my engine is leaking oil. The mechanic tells me that I need to replace the engine asap. My car has been parked for the passed two weeks.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #56

Sep 202018

Sorento

  • 112,000 miles
Front headlight failed, upon inspection the harness wire to headlight burned and melted and brake lights don't work when the head light wire burned. This is major safety issue without brake lights. Went to computer and this problem is all over the internet, exact same issue happening to Kia owners of numerous models. Apparently Kia installed a odd system that controls headlights and burns out wiring. Very dangerous issue causing to vehicle to lose brake lights as well. Took car to dealership but they won't repair this safety problem creating a expensive repair for owner for a badly designed arrangement. This problem occurred when driving at night on I 95 in Delaware this is not a isolated incident but it's all over the internet happening only on Kia vechicles

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #55

Sep 082018

Sorento

  • 154,601 miles
This Kia Sorento caught fire while being driven. The driver reported that the steering locked up and she could see smoke and a flame coming from the engine. She left the vehicle unharmed however the experience was frightening. The front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames and the car is now a total loss. The car was purchased from dallas auto auction by mas motors in dallas tx. The original owner was Kia of arlington.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #54

Sep 062018

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
My headlight pigtail caught on fire...I had it replaced...replaced the headlights in it and not even 2 weeks later the pig tail caught on fire again...they said it must ne a shortage in the wiring somewhere and it will start at 200$ to look at it to fix....mu car isnt that old to have this issue.

- Springfield, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?