2012 Kia Sorento driver assistance problems

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

Parking lights stay on, change brake light switch but the hole that the switch goes in is not aligned with the brake stopper to turn off the stop brakes, therefore it remains on. Battery needs to be unplugged to keep from draining. The mechanism to stop the lights from remaining on is somehow shifted to no longer turn off the brake lights.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · SC

There was a recall listed online 9/2023 for HEUC hydraulic electronic control unit. [XXX]. I called Kia in September the day I saw and they said a letter would come out and part would be available for the recall soon. I waited. I called again in November 2023. Still no fix or letter. I called again in January then 4/2024 still no letter or part to remedy the problem. I'm tired of waiting and very scared to drive my car. I’m hearing now that the part might not be available until July 2024??!? This is completely unacceptable. That is 11 months driving a car that could catch on fire??!? And obviously it was a problem long before the recall actually happened or else there wouldn’t have been a recall needed. A serious recall and no remedy?!? How many people have to die to make them fix the problem??!! I’m scared to drive my car. Scared to park it because a fire could happen even if you are not driving the car?! No one wants to buy my car since there is a recall and I couldn’t get what it is worth to me either now. This is a serious problem. Now I hear that fixing the fuse is only a bandaid that the real problem is being disguised because it is a more costly repair vs just a fuse. Brake fluid could leak and cause engine fire?! Even an O-ring could leak and cause fire. O-rings can rot over time anyway. I can’t believe Kia has gotten away with this and for this length of time! Unbelievably scary. They said wait until you smell smoke or some light will come on? Well my son has no sense of smell so I have to trust that some light will come on and give him enough time to get out in time? That is the remedy of this serious problem??? Or go outside and find the car had caught on fire in my yard and then catches the house and all the neighbors houses on fire! How many lawsuits are just waiting??? Is this just a numbers game to them??? How many cars have to blow up? How many lives lost?? How many houses catch on fire?!?? Geez Kia! Fix this problem and don’t just bandaid it! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · KS

My concern is when will the recall be honored for safety purposes 1st- brake system 2nd- engine causing a fire how soon can I get my car in to get these recalls serviced???

Filed Mar 23, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · MO

As I was driving down the highway my car died and all the lights on my dash came on, I lost my power steering. I noticed a cloud of white smoke from tailpipe. I was able to coast to the side of the highway, thankfully no one was hurt. O tried to start it back up but it wouldn't start. We opened the hood and there was white smoke coming from under the hood. I had to pay to have it towed. Currently waiting to get it evaluated from dealership. I've took it in for every recall and serviced my own car. Called Kia they said the engine will be replaced for free if the problem has to do with the rod bearings.

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Driver assistance · 55,000 miles · GA

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 camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 130 miles · MN

I was driving and heard a knocking sound. I came to a stop sign and the car stalled. It restarted but had no power. I turned and tried to go a little further had no power. I managed to get the car off road and into the bypass lane. Car would not start again. I had to call for tow truck.

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 146,000 miles · AL · fire

The vehicle was sitting in the driveway approximately 30 to 45 minutes after having been driven. I had noticed nothing unusual when driving the car. I walked outside to the driveway and flames were visible inside the car. The car was unoccupied and was not running. The switch was turned off and the keys were removed. The doors were locked. I unlocked the doors and put the fire out with a pan of water. I let it cool off and cranked it and moved it out of the driveway to the side of the road. I removed the battery cable for safety reasons. The emergency flasher switch apparently had melted and the flashers would not turn off.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 75,000 miles · PA

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 occurred on the rear passenger side. The contact called kia of west chester (located at 326 westtown rd, west chester, pa 19382, (610) 429-3500) and informed them of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 69,000 miles · PA

2nd complain for kia engine. Dec. 2017 my engine seized. I spent on 5grand for a rebuilt engine. Original complaint was electrical system did not give me any indication that there was an issue with my oil or engine. Driving down a main street where my car suddenly died. I had to pull off to the side of the road. I was able to restart it. Once it was restarted you can hear loud clicking from the engine. Fast forward to a year and 4 months later. Rebuilt engine on feb 2018.. Car died again on 7/16/19. Once again no indication that there was a problem with my car. No oil light. I was driving on the highway when my car was not picking up on accelerating. I decided after work I put some oil into my engine. Schedule an appt with my mechanic to have my oil changed. The next day my car would not start. Had my mechanic tow my car and later tells me that it was my engine again. Stated he could find an engine for over 3grand for me. Unfortunately I do not have the money. I am now out of a car again with a newborn and trying to find rides to and from work. I just recently moved and cannot afford this. My VIN is not listed in the recalls and it should be. Kia has faulty engines and it is not just the one engine. Last engine failure was at 65000 miles. This time it is at 69000 miles. Why are my oil lights not coming on when there is low oil? Why was this problem not fixed to begin with??? Other problems with my car is my handle in the back seat pulled off (I am not that strong) electrical system (oil light not coming on, cruise control knocks out while driving, volume control for radio randomly calls contacts) kia is a lemon but I don't have the money to repair a 2nd and probably 3rd engine. I don't even trust my car with my kia dealership anymore because they are crooks and liars. I still have 10grand left to pay for this car!

Filed Dec 12, 2018 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · CA

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 codes, both upstream and downstream o2 sensors were replaced, air filters changed, and fuel system was flushed and still did nothing to make the monitors show ready