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 / 40
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,616 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 20)

problem #388

Feb 242023

Sorento

  • miles

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

I have owned my 2012 KIA Sorento since 2014 and thoroughly enjoy my car. After 9 years of satisfactory ownership which include dealer servicing, my car scared me and now I question my safety. On Friday 24th, 2023, I pulled into my driveway and the car suddenly accelerated out of control. The brakes did nothing to slow its acceleration. By the time I reached the key and turned the car off it had accelerated thru 130 feet of a very muddy back yard. (The all-wheel drive is very effective) Fortunately, I just missed a huge 100-year-old pecan tree and stopped just short of the tree line in the back. This ripped the tire off one of my rims and I had a mechanic change the spare so we could retrieve the car. I am taking the car to the KIA dealer on Monday morning 27th. to find out what happened!!

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #387

Feb 072023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine shut down

- Greenbelt , MD, USA

problem #386

May 262022

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle engine light went on. Error codes P0014 Exhaust timing and P0661-Intake valve control were scanned according to KIA dealer. The oil control solenoid valve inline4 right and left were replaced at substantial cost. Kia would not repair under warranty. The oil level would go down shortly after oil change and engine was louder and vehicle doesn't operate as before even after repairs. It is my understanding that there is a Class Action Lawsuit Leslie Flaherty et al v Hyundai Motor Company et al Case No 8:18-CV-02223 US District Court for Central District of California. I do not know if my problem is covered under this class action lawsuit

- Newton, MA, USA

problem #385

Feb 062023

Sorento

  • miles

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

I purchased this vehicle used in August of 2021. It has not been a pleasant experience, nothing but problems. Yesterday 2/6/2023 my Mechanic changed the oil and said there is iron shavings in the oil and the motor is shot and needs to be replaced. He said I should check on the recalls as this is known to be problems with this vehicle. I have checked on the NHTSA Site and it says 0 unrepaired recalls, however I would like to dispute this as this is what is wrong with my Sorento according to my Mechanic. He verified that this could definitely cause an engine compartment fire. If you need a list of all the things I have already paid to have fixed let me know and I will gather the list together. There have been warning lights coming on constantly, Yes the vehicle is available for inspection however I am driving it as it is my only car I have. Please let me know my next step. Thank you!

- Holdingford, MN, USA

problem #384

Nov 072022

Sorento

  • miles
Started smelling a burning smell of my car was driven more then 5 miles from under the hood thought it could maybe be the oil. I got an oil change but that didn-€™t change the burning smell it comes through the vents if I have the button selected to us the outside air and to recycle the air in the cabin. There was a recall on this make and model for engine fires and I-€™m unsure if mine was one and if it was fixed as I just got this car a year ago.

- Danville, IN, USA

problem #383

Oct 252022

Sorento

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

- Mcconnelsville, OH, USA

problem #382

Jul 062022

Sorento

  • 143,000 miles

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

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.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #381

Dec 062021

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Mattoon, IL, USA

problem #380

Jun 022022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #379

May 062022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #378

Feb 182022

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles

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

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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #377

Jun 042022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Bradford, MA, USA

problem #376

May 192022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #375

Jun 252020

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #374

Apr 072022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #373

Apr 232022

Sorento

  • 210,000 miles
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.

- Sellersville, PA, USA

problem #372

Jan 312018

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

problem #371

Mar 072022

Sorento

  • 149,000 miles
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.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #370

Dec 182021

Sorento

  • 97,000 miles
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.

- Princeville, HI, USA

problem #369

Feb 172022

Sorento

  • miles
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.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

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