Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Sorento

Driving on the thru-way going 65 mph when my vehicle jerked forward suddenly. I was able to pull over, vehicle lost control of steering and brakes and completely just 'shut off' on me with no fore-warning. Called aaa, tech. Could visibly see a belt which had ripped out of engine and was dangling under vehicle. I then had vehicle repaired- a new belt was installed , a brand new alternator, new brakes, oil change. 3 weeks after this event, I was again driving on the thru- way in almost the same exact location and this happened again. . My vehicle just went dead, this time slowing down and dying. Called aaa , they serviced me off the thru-way (thru-way division) and upon having vehicle looked at my choice shop. . I was told that my vehicle had completely seized (was now totally dead) and was non- repairable without a new engine. Also told that my vehicle had little oil even though I had only 3 weeks prior gotten an oil change and car repairman could not report any physical issues with oil connections, ie. Gasket leak, drain plug, seal issues. Due to the amount of monies I have spent from day 1 on this vehicle, my experiences and the lemon the vehicle has proven to be, I find this incredibly unsettling and know that there were issues going on with this vehicle prior to it going onto the road that should have been repaired and were not due to no fault of my own. Aside from these issues, in past there were several other problems related to the locks and windows locking on there own while vehicle in motion and fuses related to this as well as the vehicle shocking me when opening drivers side door handle which is incredibly unsafe! I request that someone please look into the recall withholding which has come to light with kia and my vehicle qualifying for these recalls as kia has told me that they are unwilling to assist me financially as well as west herr.

Purchased car in April 2016 used. A walmart battery was in car. I mentioned to sales person that it had a walmart battery, he says "o yeah, they have good batteries". So, car is at least on second battery. That battery died in April 2017. New battery from o'rielly's. That battery is now losing it's charge within 5 days of not driving. Not normal. Alternator is throwing 14. 1 to battery. Nothing in car is ever left on.

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 neither the interior lights were working nor would the 'start' button activate engine or any auxiliary functions. Boosted unit and took to a nearby shop. Shut off engine and waited a few seconds, and it did restart; but left with shop to see if battery had a bad cell (the reason it wouldn't start). The shop indicated that both the alternator and battery needing replacing. The shop supervisor stated that the alternator wasn't properly charging the battery. I mentioned that the alternator/charge light never came on with me; but he stated that it will not always come on unless the alternator has really gotten bad. Replacement alternator cost $500 (excluding labor) for a unit that is only just over 4. 25 years old, and with only 83,700 miles.

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 miles, but the engine power was dwindling. I eventually lost acceleration and power brakes and steering. My car has a push button start and I was unable to shut it off. The engine was running very roughly. I was unable to shift the car into park- only drive or neutral and could not get my flashers to come on. After 5-7 minutes, the car finally died and I could shift it into park and the hazard lights came on. I had my car towed to a kia dealership and was told the following business day that my battery was completely dead and would have to be replaced before anything else could be checked. After the battery was replaced I was told the alternator was working fine. I am concerned about this incident as it created a very dangerous situation.

At dealership to possibly purchase used 2012 kia Sorento. Vehicle would not start. Dealer had to jump start. Everything seemed ok and drove to nearby parking lot to look over the car. Left the car running in park and after 5 minutes various dash lights began to light up, engine would not accelerate, and the stop button would not shutdown the car. Eventually the engine labored and then stopped. Called dealer and we jump started the engine. On the way back to dealership (less than a mile) the engine labored, throttle would not respond, power steering got very heavy, and then the engine quit. This happened twice requiring jump starts. It died again entering the dealership. Battery had been replaced by dealership but troubleshooting determined the alternator was not charging. Sent to kia dealership and they replaced the alternator.

After parking the car for 72 hours at an airport, upon return the car started normally, but the warning light showing a battery appeared. While driving home, approx 8 miles, the car's dash flashed more warning symbols. . . Antibrakes, airbag, etc and the wipers began to slow. I pulled over as the vehicle lost power and stalled. I used kia's roadside assistance to get a tow to the dealership. On 2/13/2012 the dealership replaced the alternator at no charge. This repair, necessary on this 2012 kia Sorento, occurred at 6,607 miles.