Engine Noise problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Sorento

On April 9,2021 I was driving home the engine started making a noise and smoking. I pulled over and called a tow. The mechanic told me on Monday 12th the engine needed replacement. I found out about the kia engine recall last week. I never received a letter or heard from kia before. I need to know how to handle this and what steps I can take.

While driving the vehicle on a local road at 35 mph the engine started making noises, smoking, caught on fire and seized with absolutely no warning and no engine light came on before. My 2012 kia Sorento was part on manufacturing defect recall related to the engine and it was checked by a kia service shop for this over a year ago. At that time I asked if the engine malfunction could occur at a later date even though it was fine now. They service technician stated that it could still occur at a later date but was not informed that the engine could fail/lock-up, catch on fire with no warning at all.

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 (317) 888-9500), 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 oil pressure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop where the oil level was checked and recorded low as well, but no leaks were found. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer were they also found the oil level to be low with no oil leaks. The vehicle was set up for an oil consumption testing. The contact stated that at 2,000 miles, the vehicle showed excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed by the dealer that the engine needed replacement. Since the vehicle was already inspected per NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) and the engine was not making noise, the engine could not be replaced under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

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 ( 70 miles each way} and have $300 for taken the engine apart and drive rod is only under warranty if needed. Tranportation I on my own.

Son was driving vehicle on interstate. Started making a noise and then stopped. Had it towed. Dealership said it was the bearings on the underside of crankshaft. 114,000 miles so out of warranty. Had to replace engine at cost to me of over $7,000.

Driving 80mph on highway, heard pinging noise from engine, car slowed down and would not accelerate past 60mph. Car suddenly lost all power, power steering and brakes, resulting in a dangerous sudden stall event. Towed car to dealership, was told engine seized and needed a new engine.

I first bought my vehicle from a used lot still very well condition all service records car fax, etc a few months later I had issues with the system turning lights on an a weird engine noise, I brought it into a kia delareship only to be laughed at by the service team over the phone because they hadn't realized I had picked up the line, they told me this was all normal fixed the "problems", and sent me on my way out. I called several times after that to tell them I didn't think the engine noise was correct and they told me it was normal wear and tear, a few months later my entire car shut off while on an expressway with my self pregnant and my 2 year old son. It is now at the shop and they are asking for extensive information and service records which I have and are being very odd about my vehicle and when they will know the problem. Please be careful when buying from kia, I could have been seriously injured with my children. Trading in once the issue or engine if it even gets fixed. Scared to death.

At 5:40pm mst on 03/20/2014, I was approaching a 4-way intersection in a residential area at approximately 15 mph intending to stop and then make a right turn. Traffic going my direction had stop signs and cross traffic did not. There was one other car approaching the intersection from my left. Without warning, my 2012 kia Sorento completely shut off (engine, electrical and electronic). It happened silently and without dashboard warning lights or engine noise. I was not able to fully stop or turn at the intersection as my car had lost power brakes, power steering and any ability to accelerate. When the car came to a rest, it was at a diagonal, partially blocking the intersection and facing the wrong way toward any oncoming traffic to my right (there was none at the time). The car was still in drive and the ignition was still in the fully-forward engaged position, but there were no dashboard lights illuminated and the motor was dead. The other car that had been approaching to my left was able to stop in time to avoid my car, and he drove around me and continued on. I put on my hazard lights. For the first 15 seconds or so, I was unable to get the car to shift into neutral or park. Eventually, I was able to get the gear shift to move to park, but the car would not turn on despite my turning the the ignition off and on multiple times. I was about to get out and call a tow truck when the dashboard lights suddenly came back on. At that point, I was able to restart to car and drive to my destination. The car did not show any signs of a problem in the time immediately before or after this incident. We dropped off the car at the dealership the next morning 3/21/2014. At the time of this writing, the dealer has not been able to recreate the problem, nor have they found any codes on the car's computer. This is potentially an extremely dangerous problem.