2012 KIA SORENTO

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    53 stranded, 112 unsafe

    165
    incidents
    Typical range: 36,000–118,000 mi

    Median 82,500 mi, based on 256 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE IN REGULAR TRAFFIC WHEN GAS IS APPLIED, CAR WILL START TO MOVE FORWARD THEN ACT AS THOUGH THE MOTOR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. IF YOU ADD MORE PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL NOTHING HAPPENS, THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS IF…"~850 mi, complaint #1094177
    • "FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A 2 MONTH SPAN, MY 2012 KIA SORENTO HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. WE ARE AT THE 60K MILES MARK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. TWO OF THE THREE TIMES WE HAVE BEEN DOING AROUND 40 MPH ON VERY BUSY STREETS AND THANK GOD,…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1070156
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 50 ABOUT 20 MILES FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 55 MPH. STEAM/SMOKE FROM COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OTHER MOTORIST TRAVELING WEST BOUND STAR…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1490896
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HART KIA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SALEM, VA 24153, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EN…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1592646
    • "CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT AND IT HAS A JERKING TO IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS"~280,000 mi, complaint #1736286
  2. #2

    engine internal

    42 stranded, 102 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    145
    incidents
    Typical range: 75,000–126,500 mi

    Median 100,000 mi, based on 148 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "FIRST TIME IN 2017 STARTED CAR AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, AS I DROVE IT GOT LOUDER, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DROVE IT TO KIA DEALER AND MOTOR HAD THROWN A ROD, KIA HONORED THEIR RECALL AND SUPPOSED NEW MOTOR WAS INSTALLED WITH 60 DAYS. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY,…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1519393
    • "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 WI…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1493353
    • "VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAME TO A STOP AND STARTED TO SMOKE, A FIRE IGNITED AND CONSUMED THE FRONT END"~100,000 mi, complaint #1703901
    • "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 T…"~123,937 mi, complaint #1401142
    • "CAR NEVER HAS HAD ENGINE ISSUES AND GETS REGULAR, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED THREE WEEKS AGO AS I DO EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SIEZE. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS N…"~214,000 mi, complaint #1717385
  3. #3

    airbag system

    68 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    69
    incidents
    Typical range: 80,000–121,000 mi

    Median 97,500 mi, based on 66 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • "I JUST TURNED RIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET IN MY SUBDIVISION WHEN A MOTORCYCLE GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HIT THE SPEED BUMP AN RAN RIGHT INTO MY DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AN THERE IS AIR BAGS ON THE DOOR. BOTH OF US TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO HOSPI…"~15,000 mi, complaint #936851
    • "TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FOR NO REASON!!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!! THERE ARE OVER 2000 COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, KIA WANTS TO CHARGE $2000 TO REPAIR SEAT OR SENSOR?? I CANNOT GET MY CAR INSPECTED!! FURIOUS-THIS IS A RECALL- I DID NOT BEA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1452291
    • "DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, AIR BAG LIGHT IS TURNED ON AFTER REPLACING BATTERY IN CAR, AND CAR WON'T PASS SMOG BECAUSE O2 SENSOR READINESS AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORS WON'T SHOW READY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND CAR IS NOT PULLING ANY ERROR CO…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1523285
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALOHA KIA OF MAUI ([REDACTED ADDRESS], KAHULUI, HI 96732) AND REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE…"~117,250 mi, complaint #1550489
    • "TAKATA RECALL- I HAD JUST STOPPED TURNED A CORNER AND THEN VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE."~800,000 mi, complaint #1364182
  4. #4

    engine oil consumption

    2 stranded, 47 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    51
    incidents
    Typical range: 95,000–128,500 mi

    Median 108,500 mi, based on 46 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN DRIVING ALSO THE BOOT IS CRACKED AND AFFECTING THE BALL JOINTS ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE"~10,000 mi, complaint #1579667
    • "SUDDENLY AT 95000 MILES ENGINE STARTED TO USE OIL BUT IT'S NOT BURNING IT OR ANY LEAKING FROM ENGINE. I HAVE TO CHECK OIL WEEKLY AND WILL NEED A QUART EVER 800 TO 1000 MILES. AFTER READING MANY POSTS ON THIS SUBJECT ALL ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS WE A…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1605726
    • "COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE OF THE KIA SORENTO. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR NORMAL OIL CHANGE AND INVESTIGATION OF A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED ON THE ROAD. TECHNICIAN PULLE…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1627047
    • "AT APPROXIMATELY 120K MILES, WE RANDOMLY CHECKED THE OIL PRIOR TO TAKING A ROAD TRIP AND NOTED THE DIP STICK WAS DRY. THE CAR WAS DOWN SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL. NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED BY MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC WITH NO LEA…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1710811
    • "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 r…"~210,000 mi, complaint #1810743
  5. #5

    lighting exterior

    27 unsafe, 3 broken, 8 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 85,000–129,500 mi

    Median 113,000 mi, based on 25 reports (48% had no usable mileage)

    • "PURCHASED NEW 2012 KIA SORENTO SX 3.5 IN MAY 2012. IT NOW HAS 54K MILES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS BOTH SIDES ON 3 OCCASIONS AND HIGH INTENSITY DRIVING LIGHTS (OEM) 2 TIMES EACH SIDE. THE LAST TIME 12/23/15 THE DEALER (LANGDALE KIA, VALDOSTA GA)…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1247558
    • " TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, COOPER KIA [REDACTED ADDRESS], YORKVILLE NY, 13495, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING HOUSING UNIT M…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1395074
    • "THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING ON MY CAR. NUMEROUS BULBS, LENS, ETC... AND THEY BLOW WITHIN 2 DAYS. SO, WE DRIVE AROUND WITH ONE BULB. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS WIDESPREAD ON THESE MODELS, BUT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT. WE DO NOT HAVE $600 TO $1000 TO COMPLET…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1519984
    • "THE BREAK LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC AND DOWNHILL BREAKING CONTROL DHC LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ALERTED TO THE BREAK LIGHT ISSUE WHEN I WAS STOPPED BY A FORT WORTH POLICE OFFICER. I TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY CHECKING THE BRE…"~129,000 mi, complaint #1486466
    • "WENT TO CHECK MY HEADLIGHT BULB AS MY HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AFTER JUST REPLACING THE BULB A FEW WEEKS AGO. WHAT I FOUND IS THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE BULB WAS COMPLETELY MELTED"~152,000 mi, complaint #1711377
  6. #6

    other

    1 stranded, 15 unsafe, 10 annoyance

    26
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE PANEL ASSEMBLY UNDER COVER IS BROKEN OFF EASY AND OBSTRUCTING THE WHEELS MOVEMENT, CAN CAUSES OVER TURN OR FLIP OVER. *TR"~1,300 mi, complaint #886145
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW SEAT LATCH SYSTEM FAILED TO FOLD THE SEAT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO USE THE THIRD ROW SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACE…"~14,980 mi, complaint #1283656
    • "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…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1169906
    • "I HAPPENED UPON THIS WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FROM OCTOBER, 2015 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I READ TO FILE A COMPLAINT IF I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED."~80,000 mi, complaint #1432108
    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 98K+ MILES ON IT FROM STEVENS CREEK SUBARU. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY RECALLS NOR ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS WEEK, I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE IN THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE EVERY TIME I BRAKED. ITS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHI…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1537517
  7. #7

    sunroof

    22 unsafe

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 68,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO OBJECT THAT HIT IT. IT JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME BUT THE SUNROOF SLIDING SHADE WAS OPEN...UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF UPDATED 8/29/2014 *JS "~23,400 mi, complaint #1099093
    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH. SUNROOF EXPLODED, OR SHATTERED, I SHOULD SAY. NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. NOTHING ABOVE ME. IN OTHER WORDS, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS HIT BY ANY DEBRIS OR OBJECT. SIMPLY, OUT OF THE BLUE, SHATTERED.. UPDA…"~48,800 mi, complaint #1094896
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN EXPRESSWAY AT APPROX. 45MPH, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. GLASS WAS FORCED DOWN AND THE COVER SCREEN SAVED ME FROM THE DEBRIS COMING INTO THE CAR. THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND NO FOREIGN MATTER FOUND IN THE DEBRIS. THIS EVENT WAS EXTR…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1448168
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF INADVERTENTLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (EVANSVILLE KIA AT [REDACTED PHONE], [REDACTED ADDRESS], EVANSVILL…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1420167
    • "SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 18, 2019. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITHIN 2 YEARS. I HAVE CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND."~150,000 mi, complaint #1542871
  8. #8

    wiring harness

    21 unsafe, 1 broken

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 112,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "INTERMITTENT CONNECTION TO PASSENGERS SIDE HEADLAMP BULB, CAUSING OVERHEATED CONNECTOR AND WIRING."~56,500 mi, complaint #1710079
    • "HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB IN MY HEADLIGHT. USED TO BE EVERY 4-5 MONTHS. NOW, IT'S 3 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. AFTER TAKING IT TO SHOP, WIRING IS SHORTING OUT, MELTING PLASTIC AROUND BULB AND CONNECTION TO CAR. CAN NOT JUST REPLACE LITTLE SOCKET, LIKE IN…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1170209
    • "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 W…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1498679
    • "2012 KIA SORENTO, HAD ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BLOWING. ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. THEY SAID PRONGS NEEDED TO BE SPREAD. THE LIGHT BLEW AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEN THEY REPLACED THE HARNESS. THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THERE WAS AN ISSUE AN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1603015
    • "ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING - BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE EITHER. REPLACE THE FUSE AND IT BLOWS IMMEDIATELY. HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND THEY INFORMED ME A DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM- IT'S AN ELECTR…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1682667
  9. #9

    transmission automatic

    2 stranded, 11 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 38,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2012 KIA SORENTO V-6 AWD VEHICLE SURGES EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE DURING START UP AS IF ITS PARTIALLY IN GEAR. ONCE STARTED IT SEEMS TO BE FINE AND DRIVES NORMALLY. THE ISSUE WAS SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT IS NOW OCCURING ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS FI…"~1,500 mi, complaint #882514
    • "I OWN A 2012 4 CYLINDER KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN NOV 2011. HAD IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IT JUST STOPPED....HAD TO LET TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND THEN LET OFF BRAKE TO COAST BACK DOWN HILL UNTIL I GOT TO A PLACE…"~18,000 mi, complaint #956874
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1667938
    • "MY VEHICLE IS AT 117K MILES. IT USES APPROX 6 QTS OF OIL/3000 MILES.I CANNOT GET UP TO SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT DOWN WITH ANY ACCELERATION RPMS RUN AND STAY AT 6,000 WHEN TRYING TO GET TO 70MPH - IT IS INCLUDED IN SC147 RECALL, HOWEVER T…"~117,770 mi, complaint #1387891
    • "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE IS LOCKED IN 4TH GEAR WHILE IN DRIVE. CAN NOT MANUALLY SHIFT UP OR DOWN."~121,000 mi, complaint #1387747
  10. #10

    brake hydraulics

    11 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 50,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE COMING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION OR PULLING INTO PARKING LOT SPACE AT LOW SPEED, I COULD HEAR AND FEEL BRAKES GRINDING TO A COMPLETE STOP, UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL I COULD HEAR AND FEEL WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE CALIPERS GRINDING AS THEY RELEASE. IT H…"~10,000 mi, complaint #899846
    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED ON 3-25-15 WITH A FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS MY WIFE AND I BOTH NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDDLE DRIFTING TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO CRAWL FORWARD. DURING LONG STOPLIG…"~30,988 mi, complaint #1192387
    • "CAN NOT MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR IS STARTED. CAN NOT SHIFT CAR OUT OF SELECTED GEAR WHEN MOTOR IS RUNNING. ESC LITE IS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND BRAKE LITES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THESE DEFECTS OCCUR. SYMPTONS EXPERIENCED ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED…"~50,222 mi, complaint #1370777
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON I-15 JUST 3 MILES SOUTH OF SCIPIO, UT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. I GOT INTO THE FAR RIGHT LINE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1397219
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the post office; after 3 to 4 minutes, she was alerted by a consumer that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact noticed fire emerging from th…"~200,000 mi, complaint #2175741
  11. #11

    glass and windshield

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 59,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT A ROCK HIT THE GLASS AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1031954
    • "THE MOONROOF (STATIONARY SUNROOF THAT DOES NOT OPEN) OVER THE 2ND ROW SEAT EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A ROCK OR ANY OTHER DEBRIS. THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT SOUND AND GLASS SHOT OUT THE TOP AND FELL DOWN INTO THE CA…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1035979
    • "I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND MY BROTHER SOUTHBOUND ON THE 101 FREEWAY NEAR TEMPE, AZ ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:20AM WHEN WE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OVER OUR HEADS AND SAW GLASS RAINING DOWN THROUGH THE OVERHEAD VISOR AND OFF THE BACK…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1536914
    • "WHEN I USED MY DEFROST THIS CRACK CAME UP AND KEPT SPREADING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A WRECK WITH THIS VEHICLE"~72,946 mi, complaint #1617963
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GLASS PARTICLES FELL ONTO THE PASSENGERS. THERE WERE MINOR SCRAPES, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT…"~97,414 mi, complaint #1464474
  12. #12

    paint and clearcoat

    3 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PAINT ON ROOF OF CAR AT TOP WINDSHIELD IS PEELING OFF AT AN ALARMING RATE, HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE. STARTED NOT TOO LONG AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLA"~50,000 mi, complaint #1733777
  13. #13

    battery and charging

    3 stranded, 7 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 64,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR LOCKS OUT AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE REASON FOR THE SHUTDOWN. T…"~29,044 mi, complaint #1044870
    • "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…"~36,120 mi, complaint #1148307
    • "ON A BUSY HIGHWAY RT.70 VEHICLE DECALS GOT TO FLASHING ON THE DASH BROAD ALL OF THEM. THAN LOST ALL POWER.COULDN'T USE FLASHERS OR ANYTHING. AND GOT OVER TO THE SHOULDER .WAIT A FEW MINUTES NOTHING HAD TO GET IT TOW BACK TO MY SONS. TRY A JUMP AFTER 3 MI…"~83,586 mi, complaint #1618398
    • "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…"~83,704 mi, complaint #1231478
    • "DRIVING TO WORK THIS PAST TUESDAY 12/24/2019, WHILE DRIVING MY CAR DID THIS JERK MOVE AND THEN ALL THE ELECTRICAL SIGNS POPPED UP I COULDN'T BRAKE OR STEER MY STIRRING WHEEL .ITS AS IF MY CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF A SIDE ROAD AVOIDING…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1631723
  14. #14

    control module

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 98,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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. "~48,000 mi, complaint #1199572
    • "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 BEFO…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1296305
    • "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…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1127762
    • "DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN TOWN, I LOSE ALL POWER WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN A JERK THAT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THEN IT GOES DEAD. I CRANK IT BACK UP AND IT RUNS FOR A WHILE THEN REPEATS. I TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT TODAY, BUT TH…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1591332
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ECM n…"~203,000 mi, complaint #1907549
  15. #15

    door latch and hinge

    5 unsafe, 2 broken, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF. I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND THE HANDLE JUST FELL OFF. "~56,000 mi, complaint #1379010
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WAS LOOSE AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM OPENING. TEAM KIA OF BEND ([REDACTED ADDRESS], BEND, OR 97701) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WEATHERST…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1478115
    • "ON 12/27 THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER WITH A COST OF ALMOST $300. THE HANDLE WAS IN HER HAND. YESTERDAY THE REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1348893
    • "FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE INOPERABLE FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WITH NO PRIOR COMPLICATIONS OR DAMAGE ENSUED. KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2011 KIA SORENTO MODELS AND NOT RESOLVED IN NEWER MODELS. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES IN SAFETY ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1725746
    • "VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, I - THE CAR OWNER - UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB FOR PASSENGERS TO LOAD THE VEHICLE. AS THE REAR PASSENGER GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE, IT CAME OFF IN HER HAND. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1677022
  16. #16

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 7 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 143,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel cap nee…"~17,272 mi, complaint #1798771
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER JOB AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMO…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1563907
    • "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 ca…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1833476
    • "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 [REDACTED ADDRESS] ALOT IN THE CITY AS WELL. IN T…"~164,500 mi, complaint #1510435
    • "The contact owns a 201 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact became aw…"~210,875 mi, complaint #1951974
  17. #17

    suspension struts shocks

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED CITY ROAD, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAVED INTO THE VEHICLE (DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE). THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HIT ANY SIGNIFICANT HOLES. THE INCIDENT WAS SPONTANEOUS WITHOU…"~23,072 mi, complaint #1335284
    • "THE STRUTS ON MY BACK LIFT GATE ARE ALREADY WORN OUT ON A 2012 KIA SORENTO. I HAD A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK STRUTS ON THE LIFT GATE. ON THE SPORTAGE THE GLASS OPENED SEPARATELY FROM THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1123014
    • "FRONT LEFT SPRING CRACKED. CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR RESIDENTIAL USE ON PAVED ROADS, UNDER 50K MILES. THE KIA DEALERSHIP NEVER FOUND THE ISSUE DURING ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, MAVIS DISCUNT TIRE STORE FOUND THE PROBLEM WHILE CHANGING TIRES."~47,000 mi, complaint #1482854
    • "WHEN I WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, I WAS TOLD MY DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN WHICH PRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT COULD POP THE TIRE. WHEN CALLING FOR ESTIMATES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR A CAR OF THIS YEA…"~66,810 mi, complaint #1391721
    • "WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, MY CAR SOUNDED LIKE A TIN CAN PARTICULARLY WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. THOUGHT IT COULD BE SHOCK ABSORBERS. A LOCAL CAR REPAIR PLACE REPLACED STRUT MOUNTS, BRAKE PADS AND NEW SHOCKS AT A COST OVER $3000. AFTER PAYING FOR THIS, MY CAR MADE T…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1568017
  18. #18

    abs module

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), the ABS, Brake, and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1994167
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE ABS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OC…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1585882
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brake…"~193,000 mi, complaint #1993856
  19. #19

    unintended acceleration

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "ON OCTOBER 14,2013 AS I WAS TRAVELING IN STOP AND START TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD AT LEAST 5 FEET WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT TOOK MUCH EFFORT TO AVOID CRASHING. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN…"~17,500 mi, complaint #1047211
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT SATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…"~21,000 mi, complaint #1041499
  20. #20

    engine head gasket

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I HAD MY CAR SERVICED ON 3/13/2020. I HAD A CRACKED VALVE COVER GASKET. I DROVE MY CAR ON 3/15/2020 TO MY DAD'S HOUSE. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DAD'S DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF. ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ON TOP OF THE HOOD OVER THE ENGIN…"~93,500 mi, complaint #1659638
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on the startup of the vehicle, the engine would begin to knock and blue smoke would emit from the muffler. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the deal…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1762375
    • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that coolant was leaking onto the ground of the garage. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that while attempting to replace the head g…"~118,871 mi, complaint #1908994
    • "I HAD A BURNING OIL SMELL COMING INTO THE CAB OF THE CAR AND SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND NOTICED IT WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK. WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND IT SMELLED BAD, BUT DIDN'T OVERHEAT. I TOOK IT IN AND I…"~124,515 mi, complaint #1725951
  21. #21

    driveshaft axle cv

    3 unsafe, 2 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "FOR SEVERAL WEEKS A NOTICEABLE CLUNK IN REAR AXLE. OBVIOUS AT INITIAL START AND UPON DECELERATION FROM SPEEDS ABOVE 30. WHEN DECELERATING RIGHT AT 30MPH A CLICK AND CLUNK OCCUR. TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP IN BRADENTON, FLORIDA, SUNSET KIA. THEY KEPT VEHICLE…"~41,578 mi, complaint #1082100
    • "FOLLOWING AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT THE KIA TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ON MY KIA 2012 SORENTO IS LEAKING AND LOOSING GREASE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE…"~102,653 mi, complaint #1589255
    • "HAVE HAD THE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT CV AXLE TWICE IN THE PAST 40K MILES (ONCE AT ABOUT 118K AND AGAIN AT 150K) MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN KIAS"~118,000 mi, complaint #1711166
    • "I RECENTLY HAD STRUTS REPLACED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH A FRACTURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD IT MAY BE A RECALL. WELL AFTER RESEARCH I WAS TOLD IT WAA FOR 2014 BUT IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE. I…"~136,000 mi, complaint #1580301
  22. #22

    software or update

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "CAR WOULD DROP ITS SPEED TO ABOUT 1 MILE AN HOUR , BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER, TOLD NEEDED SOFTWARE RE-SET, OCCURRED AGAIN IN ABOUT JULY 2012, TOLD AGAIN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT TELL ME WHY OR THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. REAR CAMERA AND ENTIRE RADIO…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1079154
    • "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 ADDR…"~105,286 mi, complaint #1601080
    • "LAST JULY MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED MY BRAKES AND THEN WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. WELL, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. CALLED KIA AND HAD IT TOWED THERE(UNREIMBURSED) REPLACED ENGINE TOLD THEM THAT SOME…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1592415
  23. #23

    stability and traction control

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS WINDY AND THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED S…"~1,500 mi, complaint #912645
    • "THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW OR ON WET PAVEMENT. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE - IT JUST GOES WHERE IT WANTS TO. THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF LIVES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS THE VERY LIGHT 4 CYL…"~5,550 mi, complaint #959626
    • "WE OWN 2012 KIA SORENTO SX, PURCHASED NEW. THE CAR HAS 79643 MILES. OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 FROM BOSTON TO CONNECTICUT. THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 60~65 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE CAR TPM (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING) CAME ON AND WITHIN 5~10 SECOND ALL LIGHTS…"~79,643 mi, complaint #1251856
  24. #24

    starter

    3 stranded, 2 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. THE 2012 SORENTO HAS A PUSH BUTTON START. THE ISSUE STARTED THE DAY WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A REPEATED ISSUE. THE KIA DEALER IN OMAHA NEBRASKA REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE AND THE…"~10,321 mi, complaint #945425
    • "KIA OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BUTTON."~43,000 mi, complaint #1284604
    • "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 WI…"~65,500 mi, complaint #1450173
    • "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…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1328124
  25. #25

    key fob and immobilizer

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "ON 12-25-2013, NOTICED THAT THE SIDE MARKET LIGHTS REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING ON THE KEY-LESS ENTRY PUSH BUTTON START. CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL PUSH BUTTON ATTEMP…"~11,600 mi, complaint #1030700
    • "MY 10-YEAR OLD SON, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS PLAYING IN OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IT'S THE PUSHBUTTON START TYPE AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY FOB. THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE. REGARDLESS, WITHOUT THE CAR STARTED AND WITHOUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, H…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1123768
  26. #26

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORING HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, HE WAS U…"~4,500 mi, complaint #895545
    • "MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD GOT INTO THE VEHICLE TO GET A DRINK. SHE HIT THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT WENT FROM PARK TO GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL UNTIL COMING TO A STOP BY HITTING A TREE. MY NEIGHBOR TRIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BUT HE COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN B…"~35,000 mi, complaint #997214
    • "THE PUSH BUTTON TO OPEN THE GAS TANK DOOR CONTINUOUSLY HAS PROBLEMS ACTIVATING TO OPEN THE DOOR. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES RIGOURSLY TO ENGAGE THE UNLOCK MECHANISM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY OTHER SORENTO…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1474484
  27. #27

    throttle and pedal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 0 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDEN…"~2,000 mi, complaint #937838
    • "DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX. 75MPH , CAR JERKED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. HAPPENED 5 OTHER TIMES PREVIOUS TO THIS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. DEALER DID A REFLASH OF SOME COMPUTER CHIP. THAT…"~14,000 mi, complaint #927879
    • "WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM GAUGE DID NOT MOVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AT ENGINE IDLE SPEED (REACHING ABOUT 20MPH ON A LEVEL…"~18,300 mi, complaint #983547
  28. #28

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE VEHICLE GROSSLY LOST POWER AND CAME TO A NEAR STOP WHICH ALMOST CAUSED COLLISION WITH VEHICLES TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT BEHIND ME. WHILE TRAVELING NORMALLY AT THE POSTED 55 MPH SPEED THE VEHICLE SLOWED IMMEDIATELY TO NEARLY MOVING. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE T…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1300902
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the traction control and ABS warning lights we…"~204,000 mi, complaint #2133553
  29. #29

    backup camera

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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 ISS…"~23,900 mi, complaint #1222339
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera failed to produce an image while in use. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the back over prevention c…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1876847
  30. #30

    catalytic converter

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER THE ANALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE STARTED SURGING AND THEN DIED WHEN I SLOWED FOR A TURN. I PUT THE CARE IN PARK, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT DIED AGAIN. I TRIED AGAIN WITH PARK, RESTART AND THEN DROVE INTO A PAR…"~138,000 mi, complaint #1540150
  31. #31

    corrosion and rust

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY PAINT COLOR IS PEARL WHITE. I HAVE AT LEAST 2 SPOTS OF RUST ONE ON THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. AND ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR. NEITHER ONE IS DENTED OR SCRATCHED BUT THE PAINT IS PEALED AND RUST IS SHOWING THROUGH."~60,000 mi, complaint #1283139
  32. #32

    engine cooling

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1603681
    • "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 COOL…"~69,900 mi, complaint #1590653
  33. #33

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The suspension mounting block rusted off the frame and the frame rusted into on the passenger rear side of the car It was good that we were running slow close to the house when it happened if that would’ve come loose at Highway speeds, the car would probably f…"complaint #1989777
    • "Left rear sub frame cracked in half while driving car . 2017 they did work to the under belly in reference to corrosion of the car . Has therr been any other complaints about this vehicle type ? "complaint #2088405
    • "I had taken the Kia Sorrento to a local shop to get an oil change, and Mavis tire had discovered that the rear suspension and rear subframe were severely corroded with rust and I was told that the car is unsafe to drive. I had noticed as well that my brakes wo…"complaint #2219156
  34. #34

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I USE SPEED CONTROL OFTEN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO SET. I NEVER REPORTED IT BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD COST A FORTUNE FOR THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY PART OF AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT NO…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1603021
    • "ON 08/12/12 WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 72-74 MPH, I EASED OUT INTO THE PASSING LANE TO PUT MYSELF BEHIND SOMEONE GOING FASTER. THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED AND ACCELERATED WITH MAXIMUM THROTTLE. I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL MODERATELY TO D…"~11,000 mi, complaint #937653
  35. #35

    fuel pump

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE VE…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1034100
  36. #36

    interior trim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SEAT TRIM ON DRIVERS SEAT BREAKS ALLOWING SEAT CONTROLS TO MOVE SEAT WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IT CAN MOVE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT DRIVER DOING ANYTHING. THIS TRIM HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES WITH THE SEAT MOVING TWICE (2) OUT OF THE FOUR (4) TIMES. KIA DEALER…"~3,259 mi, complaint #948909
    • "BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TRIM THAT HOUSES THE SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT KNOBS ARE DESIGNED POORLY AND FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE. ONCE FAILURE OCCURS TRIM CAN MOVE EASILY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT SWITCHES TO BE ENGAGED CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1374610
  37. #37

    noise or vibration unspecified

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THIS BANGING NOISE STARTED WHICH FELT LIKE WE HIT SOMETHING OR AN OBJECT THE ROAD (JUST ONE BIG BANG NOISE). THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WE TOOK IT THE AAA AND THEY SERVICE…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1539040
    • "MY BURGUNDY 2012 KIA EX I PURCHASED IN 2017 HAS BEEN GIVING ME NO PROBLEMS I LOVE THE SUV UNTIL 6/18/2019 WHEN I STARTED UP THE SUV AN THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN THE NOISE QUIETED DOWN I PROCEEDED ON ROUTE 51 AN…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1577538
  38. #38

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "HAD TOW TRUCK COMPANY PICK UP MY KIA A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2019 BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND RECALL ISSUE. I PICK MY KIA UP 2-3WKS LATER AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ADJUST IS HANGING OFF NEVER HAS THAT BEEN BROKEN KIA SAID IT ARRIVED THAT WAY. THAT'S COMPLETE…"complaint #1643410
    • "2ND ROW SEAT DIFFICULT TO FLIP DOWN TO ACCESS 3RD ROW. LATCH DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND THEIR FIX WD40 ONLY LASTS A WEEK OR 2 AT BEST. *TR"complaint #979675
  39. #39

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 3RD VEHICLE. I WATCHED MY 9 YEAR OLD WHO WAS BUCKLED IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE GET THROWN AROUND FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS DURING THE FIRST IMPACT, I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1130539
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT HOWEVER, THE RETRACTOR FAILED TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTOR…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1664079
  40. #40

    trunk or liftgate

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TODAY, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2014 I WENT TO OPEN MY TRUNK...IT FELT REALLY HEAVY AS I WENT TO LIFT IT...TO MY AMAZEMENT THE STRUTS THAT HOLDS UP THE TRUNK WOULD NOT KEEP THEM UP. I'M GLAD IT DID NOT COME DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING MY GROCERY OUT OF THE TRUN…"~72,116 mi, complaint #1133874
    • "REAR TRUCK DOOR LIFT GATE SUPPORT, TAIL GATE SUPPORT. I WAS CLEANING OUT OUT OUR VEHICLE WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE BACK DOOR OPEN, AND NEXT THING I KNEW HE DOOR HAD SLAMMED DOWN ON ME. ONE OF THE LIFT GATE SUPPORTS GATEWAY AND BLEW AND COLLAP…"~73,986 mi, complaint #1386189
  41. #41

    adas blind spot

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "PLEASE MAKE BLIND SPOT SCORES PART OF VEHICLE SAFETY RATINGS. IT NEEDS TO BE AN ACTUAL SCORE. MOST TERRIFYING TEST DRIVE OF MY LIFE. 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS MY DREAM CAR. I HAD BUILT IT ONLINE 10 TIMES & WALKED IN -SPECS IN HAND- READY TO BUY. THE TEST DRIVE TO…"complaint #901868
  42. #42

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I RECENTLY PURCHASED A KIA SORENTO WITH 38K MILES. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A DISTINCT PULL IN THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT IN EITHER DIRECTION. SINCE THE VEHICLE STILL HAS 20K LEFT ON THE KIA WARRANTY I WENT AHEAD WITH THE PURCHAS…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1068646
  43. #43

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON AUGUST 23, 2015, A 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STATIONARY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING ANY INTENTIONAL ACTION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1247320
  44. #44

    brake pads and rotors

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Since I purchased the car on 9/14/2020 I have had to get brakes done 3 times. First bought and replaced the brakes within 30days then on 12/22/21 replaced again and on 6/24/2022 brakes rotors and calipers. "complaint #1823317
  45. #45

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact detected a burning rubber odor. The TPMS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. There was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the air ven…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1996472
  46. #46

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WHEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. STARTED THROUGH INTERSECTION WHEN CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WAS TOLD THEY FOUND CODE P2110 LIMP HOME MODE. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCU…"~8,000 mi, complaint #957223
  47. #47

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~58,000 mi, complaint #1404898
  48. #48

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~40,000 mi, complaint #1300615
  49. #49

    lighting interior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I BOUGHT THIS USED 2012 KIA SORENTO MARCH 14TH 2015 AND 8 DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS IN THE CUP HOLDER AND FLOOR BOARD WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD RUN A DIAGNOSTIC OR JUST UNPLUG. I WAS GOING TO COST ME MONEY EVEN…"complaint #1169166
  50. #50

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY WIFE PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND OPEN GARAGE DOOR TO TAKE TRASH OUT TO CURB. SHE LEFT THE CAR IDLING AND IN PARK. MY DRIVEWAY HAS SLIGHT INCLINE. IT TOOK HER ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES TO BRING TRASH TO CURB. WHILE APPROACHING THE KIA SORENTO SHE NOTICED IT STARTE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #962712
  51. #51

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE VEHI…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1065326
  52. #52

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CODE :P0014 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY."~137,000 mi, complaint #1624090
  53. #53

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE FOLLOWING IS FROM AN E-MAIL SENT TO BIG O TIRE CUSTOMER SERVICE (TBC CORP) ON JUNE 26/2014 WE OWN A SET OF 4 DEFECTIVE COOPER 107H DISCOVERER LSX PLUS TIRES PURCHASED FOR OUR 2012 KIA SORENTO EX SUV ON NOV. 29, 2013 FROM BIG O TIRES STORE #6171 IN CONIF…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1081222
  54. #54

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FOLLOW-UP: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10544920 AFTER A SINGLE CONVERSATION WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS TOLD TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I CHOSE A NEW "CLOSER" DEALERSHIP THAT WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. STATED I HAD A KIA CASE #, I ARRIVED…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1013824
  55. #55

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY WINDSHIELD-WASHING SYSTEM IS NOT SPRAYING WATER ONTO EITHER THE WINDSHIELD OR THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ORIGINAL MESH IN THE PUMP FILTER SCREEN IS SO FINE THAT IT BECOMES CLOGGED BY WASHER FLUID. A NE…"complaint #1610554

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SORENTO directly.