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
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise coming from the vehicle and then the motor failed to function. The dealer (crain kia of sherwood, [redacted], sherwood, ar 72120, [redacted]) diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer further stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but refused to…
ODI 11101197
Engine
This is the second time i have had this problem with this suv. While driving down the road oil pressure light comes on. I pull off the road right away and shut off. Then i noticed trail of oil on road behind me. I get out and look under front of car and see oil running out on to the ground. Cost $700.00 last time when repaired. Replaced main seal on motor and replaced oil sending unit. Watched you tube video they…
ODI 11078439
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
Engine
My kia sorento died by the side of the road ' stalling repeatedly while i was driving and, of course, steering wheel locks up ' and was told eventually that the engine seized up. They had to replace engine (at my cost, of course) as warranty not considered valid by lack of enough maintenance records.
ODI 11083307
Engine
My engine was replace on original recall. I keep bringing it back for overheating and running hot and they keep telling me nothing is wrong. Is there a defect in the replacement engine afraid to drive my car car it does not get hot until you drive it for a while or long trip
ODI 11256026
Engine
Depressed push to start button, the car made a high-pitched squeeling and grinding sound from under the hood, but was not running. Could not get the sound to stop. Eventually stopped after 3-5 minutes. Restarted the car this time it started, drove the car with no issues for 3 days. Depressed push to start button loud sound came from under engine sounded like the starter was engaged but not turning over the motor.…
ODI 11074645
Engine
Driving down the road when all of a sudden all the lights on my dash board came on and the car shut off. Luckily i was able to get off road and into a driveway. Had vehicle towed. The dealership told me my engine locked.
ODI 11080091
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 65 mph, the engine failed without warning. The contact heard a loud bang and observed a huge cloud of black smoke emerging from the vehicle. The check engine and other instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road where it caught fire from underneath near the transmission. A police report was…
Fire reported
ODI 11076296
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving 45 mph, the vehicle lunged, jerked, and lost power. The vehicle was taken to hawkinson kia ([redacted], matteson, il 60443, [redacted]) to have the recall repair performed. While at the dealer, the engine software was updated. After the repairs, the failures…
ODI 11254103
Engine
Thursday morning, i was driving to work. I made out of my neighborhood, and past the gas station and all of a sudden all my lights came on and as i tried to press the gas, no speed at all. I looked and realized that my truck completely shut off while i was driving and i was able too mange to pull over to the side of the road. Want the battery. Later was informed that my engine locked up..... Now waiting to see what…
ODI 11063483
Engine · Headlights
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 15 mph, the contact was alerted by another motorist that the front passenger side low beam headlight was out. A week later, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to team kia of el cajon (located at 541 n johnson ave, el cajon, ca 92020, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed with needing a new engine and low beam headlight bulb. The vehicle was repaired, but the…
ODI 11222535
Engine
I had been hearing a noise and mechanic asked me to bring into his shop to take a look. On my way to the shop my car suddenly stopped. Mechanic had it towed to his shop, they checked everything and all looked good. When they tried starting the engine it was frozen. I had no engine light warning at all.
ODI 11064373
Engine
There is a recall on 2012 kia sorento engine but my vin will not show up that there is a recall. My engine seized with only 69000+miles on it and just like all the other recalled vehicles. I was driving one day and my car suddenly shut down. No engine light or oil light. I had to get a jump to actually get my care started again. After the jump my engine started making a loud knocking sound. My care has never gave me…
ODI 11058229
Engine
MY MAIN REAR SEALS OF MY ENGINE BEGAN TO LEAK OIL.
ODI 11052204
Engine
Our car started showing engine problems. It was blowing big puffs of smoke out not the exhaust when accelerating, it was very sluggish, it would also try to stall out here and there. We had it towed to the dealer. It is part of the recall for the engine. They "tested" it and said the engine passed but took a video of the smoke coming from the exhaust and sent it to their techs to see how to resolve the issue. Now…
ODI 11045510
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While stopping or making a left turn at low speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause ofthe failure could not be determined. The dealer (peak kia littleton/denver, 5077 s wadsworth blvd, littleton, co 80123 [redacted]) was contacted, but an appointment was not made due to the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer…
ODI 11044867
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact took the vehicle to ray skillman southside auto center (8424 u.s. 31 s, indianapolis, in 46227 [redacted]), but no issues were found. The contact stated that the vehicle received a routine oil change on the day of the recall inspection. The contact stated that the…
ODI 11052264
Engine
After 88,000 miles, the sorento's engine started making a loud sound while driving at highway speed. The engine stayed on but continued to make a loud sound. The car was towed to peak kia in littleton, co where it was determined that a new engine was needed at a cost of $7000-$10,000 dollars. The vehicle had regular oil changes up to this point. The dealership checked an my vin number and said that i didn't qualify…
ODI 11030026
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking noise progressing near the engine compartment area and, upon exiting a ramp, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle could be restarted, but the noise continued. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence. The contact was included in a recall but not yet notified of nhtsa campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine…
ODI 11024771
Engine
On 09/10/2017 while driving a 2012 kia sorento down the highway i heard a rattling noise from the engine with a loud bang a few seconds later.there was smoke coming from under the hood. I researched and found that on 03/17/2017 kia announced a recall for 2012 sorentos. Kia's recall: sc147: " bearing wear may result in engine seizure" this is on kia's and nhtsa's websites. [ nhtsa campaign # 17v224000 "machining…
ODI 11022610
Engine
On 08/10/12017 while driving my 2012 kia sorento on i-40. I heard a "rattling noise" from the engine. As i slowed down the sound got louder. I turned on a side street into a safe area and parked my vehicle. There was smoke coming from under my hood. I opened the hood and saw 2 small patches of fire. I was able to put them out, then ran to a best western hotel and asked for a fire extinguisher in case a fire would…
Fire reported
ODI 11015830
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
We have a kia sorento 2012. Passengers smelled gas 4.5 hours into a 5 hour trip to philadelphia. Stopped at rest stop and did not think it was coming from car. We drove approximately another 30 mins into philadelphia and got off the highways onto local streets. Jogger on side of road flagged us down with "your car is on fire!" we pulled to side of road and got out of the car. The kia sorento's engine was on fire. A…
Fire reported
ODI 11013481
Engine
As i came around a bend at about 20 mph, my 2012 kia sorento died. There was no warning, and no check engine light. I was on a city street, and had just pressed the brake pedal to slow down for the turn. Thankfully i was able to pull into a parking lot, and not driving on the highway with my children. I tried to crank the car again, and it started, ran for a brief moment, sounded normal, then died. I tried twice…
ODI 11013013
Engine
I have had documented engine issues identical to the symptoms described in the recall sc147 communication. I am attaching documentation of these engine concerns, specifically hiccuping/sputtering/skipping idle and near stall-outs. Today i went to the kia dealer and was informed that my engine did not qualify for any repairs because it passed the brief test they did on it. The purpose of this communication is state…
ODI 11005954
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 2 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called a local dealer (san luis bay motors kia located at [redacted] paso robles, ca 93466 [redacted]) who stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact notified the manufacturer and no assistance was…
ODI 11005991