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 · Unknown Or Other · Wheels
'takata recall' i continue to smell a burning smell under my hood but no one can seem to find it. It come and goes i had it checked was told all fluids are fine and no leaks. I pray it never catches fire as i have a grandson who rides with me often. Also my rear break light go out ever two months not sure why it is not just one side they take turns each side. Pressure in tires tend to go low very often for no reason…
ODI 11140254
Engine
Vehicle was on the highway at approximately 55 mph, ready to get off off ramp when vehicle started running rough and turned off, on 2-28-17 in the morning. We towed it to the kia service. They diagnosed sludge in the engine and that it has to be replaced. The vehicle only has 84k miles and the oil changes have been done every 3 to 4 k. They requested all the oil service records.
ODI 10958256
Engine
Complete engine failure. While passing a large truck on a narrow two lane highway the engine completely shut down midway through the pass. Momentum allowed the car to complete the pass, but due to the speed and without power steering it was very difficult to maneuver. Fortunately i was familiar with the road and able to make it safely to a pull off. My local repair garage determined the engine is seized, with metal…
ODI 10958352
Engine
Our 2012 kia sorento was in motion on the highway when a loud knocking sound began. At this point the engine seized and the car stalled. It had to be towed to the kia dealer and a new engine had to be put in. We were told by the service manager at the kia dealership that recall sc147 addresses 2012 kia sorento's and the exact same issue as our car had. However, the recall does not include her engine type. Given what…
ODI 11035862
Engine
Received letter from kia 'extending' the warranty to 120,000 miles to cover connecting rod problem that could result in engine failure. Several months after receiving letter and car at 147k the engine failed failed while driving on highway, kia dealer said it was failed connection rod. Now kia denies claim since past 120k. This is a known defect and should have been a recall!! Very upset that kia knew of defect and…
ODI 10958564
Engine
2012 kia sorento. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs. *ld the consumer was advised there was sludge in the oil pan due to not taking care of the vehicle causing the motor starvation of oil. The consumer is in possession of all oil change records. *js
ODI 11065110
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 90 mph, the engine failed without warning. The contact stated that there was a knocking noise from inside the engine and the vehicle lost power. In addition, the vehicle would not switch gears and decreased in acceleration until the contact reached the dealer. Cathedral city kia of cathedral city, california replaced the engine in the vehicle. The manufacturer…
ODI 11002875
Engine · Power Train
I noticed that upon starting , my kia let out blue smoke. I saw no warning lights, no oil on the ground, no indication of a serious problem other than the smoke. I have a little over 95,000 miles on the car and a 100,000 mile warranty i made an appointment to service the car and have it looked at. Everything was running fine and driving fine. Three days later, the check engine light came on. No other indicators were…
ODI 10940101
Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle abruptly decelerated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder, attempted to check under the hood, and found that the engine was on fire. The manufacturer was notified. The vin was not available. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10938549
Engine
Catastrophic engine failure, stationary, engine seized up after owning it for 10 months. 104,000 miles, oil changes regular, metal shavings in oil, no oil lights or engine lights on. *tr
ODI 10934130
Engine
Driving on a city highway at approx 40mph, engine died, check engine light came on. Lost power steering etc. Coasted to side of road, car would not restart. Had to call towing company to get it to kia main dealer. Engine had completely seized (spun main bearing). It has had regular maintenance using mobil 1 synthetic oil. Engine was at 111,000 miles and is being replaced under kia 120k mile extended engine warranty.
ODI 10926447
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt; however, there was an abnormal sound from the hood. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would not accelerate higher than 50 mph. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that metal…
ODI 10926296
Engine
The engine started burning oil, the engine had 65,707 miles when we notify the dealership where we bought the vehicle. We asked the dealership people to replace the whole engine and they only rebuild it. We're so upset and not supported since we are still paying a lot of money for this vehicle and not having guarantee o how long this fix will work. *tr
ODI 10934565
Engine
Within the week before wednesday, 10/12/16, both my wife and i heard a "clicking" noise from the engine compartment. We notified our local auto mechanic and they, too, heard the noise but we're not able to make any diagnosis. Then, on the date noted, after accelerating into traffic on a 4-lane hwy (hwy 101, south toward santa rosa, ca), at a speed of about 65 mph, there was a loud, alarming knocking noise in the…
ODI 10916289
Engine
10/09/2016 driving home from being evacuated because of hurricane matthew, with my daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby. While going down the hwy 65 miles per hour, we heard a loud noise, i felt a thump under my foot on the passenger side. We later learned it was the rod that went through the engine. Thank god my husband costed the car over to the side, it would not start. We called for help from a friend they picked…
ODI 10915477
Engine
On my way to work i hear a loud pop. Then after that i could hear a knocking noise every time i accelerated. I had the car towed to the dealership i bought the car at. I was told i had a rod knocking, if i could provide proof of oil changes every 7500 miles they would see if kia would cover this. My oil is changed every 5000 but done at home not a dealership or lube place. I did not keep my receipts of oil and…
ODI 10914515
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. When the contact started the engine, thick white smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was oil sludge around the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
ODI 10916180
Engine
Took the car 6 weeks left on my warranty. Starting cold, engine making noise ( like tappats, loud} the service man and kia tech. Heard the sound agreed but the work order stated like simular engine. Now no warranty. Expired . Kia rep. Stated must bring the car to dealer ( [redacted]} and have $300 for taken the engine apart and drive rod is only under warranty if needed. Tranportation i on my own.
ODI 10980027
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the shoulder, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine block, the rods came apart, and there was no oil in the vehicle. The…
ODI 10908736
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 80 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a rod went through the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
ODI 10908752
Engine
While driving 70mph on the highway the engine shut down no warning lights, no check engine lights, no warning what so ever. We had a near miss with the person behind us but were able to get to the side of the road without incident. The vehicle would not start. After waiting 15 minutes i was able to get the vehicle to start, it now has a loud clank coming from the engine and still no power. We were stranded unable to…
ODI 10895275
Engine
The car would lose power while driving then accelerate to speed. This was followed by smoke from the tail pipe. I have returned to the yonkers kia dealership on central park avenue in yonkers ny on august 5th, 2016 to look into a problem. A diagnostic was done and it was determined the engine was ruined do to slug build up. I was told that a replacement would coast about $10,000. Odd for me because my wife and i…
ODI 10893682
Engine
July 2016, while hwy driving my 2012 kia sorento (v6) (@69,000 mileage) the car abruptly stopped & smoldered (police called fire dept). Car was inoperable, towed to shop & then to kia dealership who advised that radiator cap melted & they found "metal in coolant & the engine" (as noted on the kia dealerhship documentation). He said he never saw such a thing. Dealer said engine needed replacement because of the metal…
Fire reported
ODI 11241352
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle made a knocking noise from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine rods were twisting and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
ODI 10891612
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted, but would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
ODI 10889181