2012 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems
- 71
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 71 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 11 indicate fire
What owners report
- caught fire · 6 records
- stop sign · 5 records
- same issue · 5 records
- steering wheel · 5 records
- wiring harness · 4 records
- lost power · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 17 |
| 60–100k mi | 16 |
| 30–60k mi | 15 |
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine
I had a few problems with my car, one of them is that my car made a big rattle noise while driving at about 45mph in the street, i call kia made an appointment took the car and when they got back to me they said it was the throttle need it to be replace ($500) then the started ($600) i have replace this 2 times already, then the drive belt idler pulley and the brake lights go off very often, and so on. Make story…
ODI 11102204
Body · Electrical System
Drivers rocker cover light malfunctioned and shorted out starting a fire on the drivers side floor we were just pulling into the driveway at our home. Then the car filled with smoke.
Fire reported
ODI 11075310
Electrical System
2012 kia sorento was serviced at dealership on regular basis. October 7, 2017 caught fire and burnt to the ground. Called kia and they would do nothing! Stated they did not deal with consumers and to deal with my insurance. Insurance only paid book value and was unable to purchase a vehicle with that amount! I did everything by the book and kept my kia in excellent shape and they did not stand behind their product!…
Fire reported
ODI 11128846
Electrical System
Purchased car in april 2016 used. A walmart battery was in car. I mentioned to sales person that it had a walmart battery, he says "o yeah, they have good batteries". So, car is at least on second battery. That battery died in april 2017. New battery from o'rielly's. That battery is now losing it's charge within 5 days of not driving. Not normal. Alternator is throwing 14.1 to battery. Nothing in car is ever left on.
ODI 11031932
Electrical System
BATTERY IS GOOD. HAVE TO JUMP START EVERY TIME.
ODI 11030715
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
While driving the abs, traction control, and down hill break assist light began to come on normal highway driving. Would stop and restart the car the lights would go off, after a few driving miles the ligjts came back on and stayed. Now the break warning light will illuminate sometimes. I owner vehicle 52,000 thousands on vehicle. All service up to date and performed by kia dealership.
ODI 11004173
Electrical System
Navigation system on the vehicle is frozen at the startup screen. The manufacturer offers only 3 year warranty on the nav display unit. In my case this is the second failure.
ODI 11020895
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving approximately 60 mph, the passenger side low beam headlight failed. The contact had to switch to the high beams in order to get home. The same failure occurred three other times on the same side of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the manufacturer utilized the wrong size wire. The vehicle has been at the…
ODI 10909762
Electrical System
I purchased a new 2012 kia sorento and was very excited about the 10 yr / 100,000 miles warranty ( a big part in the decision ) to purchase this vehicle. In september 2016 the car was unable to start , the mechanic stated the starter was the problem. I called kia and was told i should have taken the car to a kia dealer for evaluation, and further more the starter was not covered, even. Though there is a list of…
ODI 10918116
Electrical System · Engine
I was driving my son to school on a city street and stopped at a stop sign then tried to accelerate and all of the lights on the dash began flashing and the car just shut-off. I put my car in park and restarted it. This type of incident has happened twice before and the dealership just tells me to keep bringing it in. They can never find what the problem is.
ODI 10883328
Electrical System
The gauges on the dashboard randomly change to include the mpg going up and down like a roller coaster. This has occurred multiple times. I've informed the dealer about it multiple times. They state they do not see any problem.
ODI 10887669
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Engine failure engine stopped in middle of highway traveling at 55 mph straight highwayput family in danger 2016 june oil leaking all over ground and electrical failure pushed car to side of highway .140000 mile past warranty kia refuse to fix.
ODI 10955428
Electrical System
Kia occasionally fails to start using the electronic ignition button.
ODI 10870396
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
While driving at 45mph my car shut off in the middle of the road (city.) no warning whatsoever, no check engine light, no check oil light...nothing. I could not steer it nor restart it. My lights all dimmed. Had it towed to a garage and they said they've had 3 of the same cars with the same issue in their shop. They told me there was no oil in it , but no leak. They put oil in it and jumped it, then took it for a…
ODI 10862121
Electrical System
After sitting for two days, the unit wouldn't respond to smart key. Initially thought smart key battery was dead. I replaced battery in smart key, but the vehicle still wouldn't respond. I had to use mechanical key to unlock and enter unit when i noticed that neither the interior lights were working nor would the 'start' button activate engine or any auxiliary functions. Boosted unit and took to a nearby shop. Shut…
ODI 10785518
Electrical System · Engine · Service Brakes
Friday 9/18/15 10:40 am, backing out of parking spot slowly into a road. Engine suddenly failed, engine light came on, and the brakes completely failed. Was able to restart the car and park it again, but brakes still failed and had to use the emergency brake and the curb and tree at curb to stop vehicle. Towed to ed voyles kia on peachtree industrial blvd in atlanta who found no record of the incident in computer…
ODI 10777850
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other · Visibility/Wiper
Camera malfunctioning. Originally took vehicle in with camera problems in 09/2013. Service check could not duplicate problem. Said everything was fine. Have had same issues with camera working and not working off and on. Took in for service again for same issue with camera. Told at first by service tech. Our warranty was expired on item. Mileage on vehicle is 60,550. Informed them we purchased extended warranty. Had…
ODI 10776437
Electrical System · Engine
Upon arrival at my destination the car would not turn off. I had to press the ignition off button several time before the car would shut off. There were times would have to sit in the car about 5-7 minutes trying to get the car to turn off.
ODI 10734685
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
On monday, march 23 at 8 pm, i arrived home and parked my car in our driveway close to our house. I loved up and went inside. At 4:30 am wednesday morning, my son came into our bedroom saying be thought sunshine was trying to break into my car because the car alarm was going off. I went to the window to look out, and immediately see that the car was on fire. The flames appeared to be coming from the left driver's…
Fire reported
ODI 10702294
Electrical System · Engine
The first incident occurred at a traffic light. I went to accelerate and realized that the car had shut itself off. I put it in park, and restarted it without incident. When i brought it into the dealership, they said there was nothing they could do and that i should bring it in as soon as it happens next time. The second time, march 28, 2015, i was trying to pull into a parking spot when i was unable to turn the…
ODI 10702402
Electrical System
I was driving at 55 mph when my battery light came on. Within several minutes every warning symbol light began to light up. My radio eventually shut down and the front dash lighting went out. I got off the highway and was able to drive for another couple of miles, but the engine power was dwindling. I eventually lost acceleration and power brakes and steering. My car has a push button start and i was unable to shut…
ODI 10672856
Electrical System
At dealership to possibly purchase used 2012 kia sorento. Vehicle would not start. Dealer had to jump start. Everything seemed ok and drove to nearby parking lot to look over the car. Left the car running in park and after 5 minutes various dash lights began to light up, engine would not accelerate, and the stop button would not shutdown the car. Eventually the engine labored and then stopped. Called dealer and we…
ODI 10671958
Electrical System · Engine
I was driving to work at 55 mph and all the lights on the dash came on and my head lights shut off. My car restarted right after that and now it has done it three times since then. I am nervous when i drive because, i fear i will be stalled somewhere and it will be winter. I drive [redacted] to work. I am seriously thinking of trading the car off. I know i won't get anything for it but, at least i will be safe. We…
ODI 10652890
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Seats
While driving at highway speeds all dashboard instrumentation, a/c and headlights were lost. It was later determined that a short in the driver's seat wiring harness had blown the fuse for control module #2 resulting in the aforementioned instrumentation and safety equipment. *tr
ODI 10641679
Electrical System · Engine
I was driving my car in a parking garage and without warning as i was making a left turn the car shut down completely, no lights, no engine, no power steering, stiff brakes. I was unable to even turn on my hazard lights. Someone was kind enough to help push my vehicle to the side and eventually i was able to restart the car. When i took it to the dealer, they found nothing and were unable to recreate the problem.…
ODI 10604920