2012 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
- 278
- 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 278 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 28 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 18 records
- engine light · 13 records
- engine seized · 11 records
- side road · 11 records
- warning lights · 9 records
- without warning · 9 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 91 |
| 100–150k mi | 90 |
| 1–30k mi | 37 |
| 30–60k mi | 26 |
| 150–400k mi | 13 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
I was driving down the highway when my cars engine seized up. I lost all control of the breaks and power stearing and it was smoking as i coasted to the shoulder. I was able to get the car seats out of the back and let it cool down some but the electric in it was not working so it wouldnt turn over. It left me stranded a little over an hour from my house with 2 infants. I had it towed home and changed the battery in…
ODI 11181346
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
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.…
ODI 11143497
Engine
Engine bearing failure very similar to engine recall for the other types of kia 2.4 sorento engines. This engine is a 2.4l dohc cvvt 4-cyl. Catastrophic engine failure needs new engine.
ODI 11149769
Engine
The engine stalled without warning, no warning lights previous to the stall. On the highways traveling about 60 mph when many warning lights all appeared at the same time of the stall. Upon towing the car to a nearby shop we were initial informed it appears the engine has seized.
ODI 11142099
Engine
The engine seized up. We have made regular oil changes on the car. There was found to be metal shavings in the oil, which is a manufacturer defect. It is 2012 with 88,861 miles on it. It would not start so we had to towed to libertyville kia dealer. The service center said that there should not be any metal shavings in the oil pan with the regular scheduled maintenance
ODI 11196536
Engine
While accelerating after a right hand turn into turn only lane headed for highway, my car just seized up and stalled out. I glided to stop and shut off the engine, turned it back on. I accelerated onto on ramp of highway and it seized up again completely stalling. When checking oil levels there was had none, my husband brought me 4 quarts of oil (always followed dealership protocol on oil changes), tried engine…
ODI 11156592
Electrical System · Engine
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.
ODI 11141783
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While the vehicle was idling at a red light, it stalled and could not be restarted. When the contact attempted to restart the engine, it made a ticking sound, but did not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that there was no oil in the vehicle even though the oil was changed recently. There was no warning indicator illuminated regarding an oil…
ODI 11139159
Engine
Vehicle engine caught fire with no warning while driving on a highway turning onto an intersection at night , burst into flames, power steering, brakes and electrical went out as well , vehicle was engulfed in flames instantly and was declared a total loss.
Fire reported
ODI 11133319
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and the contact noticed that the oil was low. The contact added a quart of oil every five hundred miles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to quirk kia of manchester (1300 s porter st, manchester, nh 03103, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced and an oil…
ODI 11210846
Engine
Our 80,000 mile vehicle experienced a complete engine failure out of the blue, no warning. We had taken very good care of the car. It is not part of the gdi engine recall, we have a dual overhead cam (dohc) engine. The dealer ship refused assistance as it is not part of the recall, though the same problem occurred with the engine. The entire engine must be replaced.
ODI 11133472
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving the engine shut off. The vehicle was merged off the road and was able to restart after a jumpstart. The engine made clicking noises but was able to be driven home. The following day, the vehicle was able to start but eventually stalled again and all the warning lights illuminated. The engine started clicking but was able to be driven home…
ODI 11130396
Engine
Multiple complaints have been filed for the engine catching fire but yet no recalls have been issued. Why is this? What are we doing to fix this?
ODI 11129261
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 60 mph, the contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then began to lose power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the "engine threw a rod". The dealer (stokes kia, 202 s. Goose creek boulevard, south goose creek sc, 29445,…
ODI 11130346
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
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…
Fire reported
ODI 11132280
Engine
Engine is using excessive oil - a quart of oil every 1000 mi. I have taken it to my nearest kia dealer who on the first visit a month ago told me i needed a tune-up (new plugs, pcv valve, etc. I just had a tune-up at my regular svc rpr shop in may. Kia dlr told me they did not use oem arts, so i ok'ed the tune-up and suggested work to see if it would help. Per their advice, i brought it bsck this wk after putting on…
ODI 11152018
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving the vehicle, the check engine indicator flashed on and off. The engine oil was checked and it was discovered that there was no oil inside the engine. Four quarts of oil were added to the engine. Approximately four months later, while at sons kia ([redacted], mcdonough, ga) for service, the mechanic reported that there was no oil in the engine. In addition, after…
ODI 11206268
Engine
Engine shut off going down interstate, mechince say it shot little over 100,000 miles towed in engine gone never had a problem before jenkins auto garage in tennessee
ODI 11124430
Air Bags · Electrical System · Engine
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
Fire reported
ODI 11154607
Engine
On 8/18/18 the engine of my kia sorento burst into flames while i was driving with my two young children and our dog. I had my six year old and one year old daughters and my 9 year old pug in the vehicle with me. The entire engine suddenly burst into flames with them shooting out under the hood at all sides. I yelled for my 6 year old to get out but she froze and was screaming and crying, saying "i can't, i can't…
Fire reported
ODI 11121693
Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia sorento. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and black smoke appeared. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was made aware that the vehicle was being engulfed in flames by another driver. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. There were…
Fire reported
ODI 11121206
Engine
I was driving home from work and noticed my sorento was making a loud ticking sound and was struggling to change gears. I pulled over and immediately as i put my car in park, my check engine light flashed and car turned off. I had the car towed to a mechanic who confirmed the engine had seized. This description falls right in line with the engine recalls on 2012 sorento's, but kia says my vin is not part of the…
ODI 11119890
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tamara recall: while driving on briarcliff way in atlanta, ga 30345 on 8/5/18 going approximately 20 mph my engine made a loud pop sound and began smoking and shut off immediately. I was unable to restart car; called tow truck to tow car to ed voyles kia dealership in chamblee ga. They determined it was due to 'broken tone wheel inside engine came apart' ; allegedly fixed it by replacing engine; since service i have…
ODI 11173168
Engine
I was driving down the street when the car began to make a low knocking noise then it began to slow down until it came to a complete stop, and wouldn't turn over anymore. I had to get it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic took a look at the car and said that it was the motor. I didn't get any warning other that while i was driving it began to make a knocking noise and lights went on my dash, then stopped. I called…
ODI 11170785
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle lost power and failed to restart without warning. Hours later, the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (frank fletcher kia, [redacted], bentonville, ar 72712, [redacted]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 123,109.
ODI 11115420