- September 30: ZF-TRW Airbag Failure Investigation Closed investigations | 12 days ago
- September 26: Kia EV9 Remote Smart Parking Assist Recall Announced recalls | 16 days ago
- July 26: Kia Sorento Engine Problems Include Coolant Leaks, Power Loss investigations | 78 days ago
Catastrophic Engine Failure
2012 Kia Sorento (Page 1 of 2)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Kia dealer.
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.
9.4
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $6,560
- Average Mileage:
- 84,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 32 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replace engine (20 reports)
- not sure (12 reports)
engine problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 2012 Sorento problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Engine overheated. Kia Dealer found radiator cap "melted" and replaced radiator (I paid dealer $1,118.52) Two weeks later, engine overheated again (now smoldering - police called Fire Dept), car died completely. Towed to same dealership who again replaced radiator and "found metal in radiator and found coolant reservoir melted. Advised customer of engine damage and recommend engine replacement. Replaced engine with used engine." (I paid $10,970.34). Car again lost power and overheated 5/4/19. Replaced water pump. 7/19/19 Car again lost power and overheated. Replaced radiator AGAIN.
I recently learned that Kia recalled 500,000+ vehicles, including 2012 Sorento's for manufacturing defects where metal was left in the engines causing engines to catch fire, lose power and fail completely. I went back to the dealer to inquire about this; dealer informed that only the 4 cylinder Sorentos were recalled, not the 6 cylinder vehicles, like mine. Dealer said they never heard of metal in engines and this would never occur from vehicle use or improper maintenance (dealer acknowledged I have impeccable maintenance records). Dealer said this was likely the same manufacturing problem but they would not help me because the recall did not include my vehicle. When I asked if they would help me contact Kia, they said no, this was "my problem" and good luck because it was "me against a big automobile manufacturer".
It is no coincidence that my "unrecalled" car (same make, model and model year) has the exact same catastrophic problems of overheating, catching fire, engine failure and presence of metal debris in the engine as the Sorento's which have been recalled. My problem initially occurred at 69,966 miles; the recalled vehicles reported problems around the 70,000 mile point, as well. And further, since the Kia dealer replaced my engine with a used 2013 Sorento engine (which now has ~80,000 miles on it), the problems with overheating, loss of power and radiator 'melting' are also recurring and I believe the replacement engine may be defective. There are other posted complaints with similar v6 models, notwithstanding that Kia has had their hands full with 4 cylinder recalls and has been unwilling to look into the same problem with defective V6 engines, of which I have TWO .
Neither Kia nor the dealership are willing to consider this problem as a defect. The dealer in particular, has used intimidation to get me to back down. I am not intimidated by any "big automobile manufacturer". Not when the issues are this glaringly obvious.
- Joyce L., Savage, MN, US