I was driving home from work and noticed my Sorento was making a loud ticking sound and was struggling to change gears. I pulled over and immediately as I put my car in park, my check engine light flashed and car turned off. I had the car towed to a mechanic who confirmed the engine had seized. This description falls right in line with the engine recalls on 2012 Sorento's, but Kia says my VIN is not part of the recall. The car has been well maintained and only has 80,989 miles on it. My mechanic reached out to Kia to explain to them that the engine was in very good condition and should not have seized, and believed it was a faulty engine and they hung up on him.

- Morristown, TN, USA

Car repaired by recall due to noises in the motor. Motor changed. Noises continued. Car broke down in the highway. Lost power and it was in fumes and smoke. Lives in danger. Car towed to Kia service in libertyville, il. Staff indicated that pistons blew up.. whole motor changed again. After three weeks car did not work at and.. broke in the night while my wife was going to take care of an emergency call to a hospital. Kia towed again. Motor changed third time. At service since July 19, 2018. It has been promised to be delivered to me again tomorrow Wednesday 8/14/208. Family and myself afraid to ride the Kia Sorento again. Car with noises since 2016. They have been using rebuilt part to change the motor. Current miles 82,000.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

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 started honking and pointing to the vehicle. After stopping is when we realized the engine area was on fire. After opening the driver side door the flames shot out from under that car causing 3rd degree burns to the back calf on my left leg. The car was in totally in flames within 5 to 10 mins.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

I have a 2012 Sorento and the engine died in it at 123K miles. I dont know what happened but I kept up and maintain the maintenance on it. I done tune up, oil changes flushes that needed to be done. My Sorento has become a member of my family and the kids call her miss Kia!!😂. I look for recall and didn't see any for my Sorento. Its gonna cost about 5K to fix out of pocket😱😱😓. which means its gonna take awhile to get her up and rolling again. Im still making payments on a car that doesn't run. I wish you guys would consider fixing our car. Im not sure how many people are having issues with this but the Kia shops didn't see the engine going either. We are renting cars to travel to and from work weekly and its hard to save when you keep spending to travel to work and from work. Please help us get miss Kia up and rolling again. If you have any questions please call at [xxx] and my name is [xxx]. thanks and have a great day. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mt Holly, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle lost power and failed to restart without warning. Hours later, the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (frank fletcher Kia, 2901 SE moberly ln, bentonville, ar 72712, (479) 845-4343), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 123,109.

- Cave Springs, AR, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 35 mph, a ticking sound was heard from the engine compartment when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (bob sight independence Kia, 1700 S noland road, independence, mo 64055) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Lathrop, MO, USA

I was driving a 2012 Kia Sorento with three other passengers and our family dog. I see smoke coming from back of my car thought it was the car passing me since my car was in mint condition with a new engine and new transmission. I look again there is no car going the opposite way and now I see a lot more smoke. Cars coming the opposite way are flashing me and waving so I figured I'm probably over heating. I steer to the right on a steep hill the brakes and emergency brake doesn't work I quickly throw it into park the gears are gone so no park. At that point we see flames shooting at us. My daughter and I open our doors the car is slowly rolling down the hill, the door hits her she goes flying the car almost runs her over. I take the car and I'm holding the 4,000 pound car back from rolling down the hill so the kids and dog in the back seat can get out. They finally figure out how to manually unlock the doors, grabbed the dog by the collar. I let go of the car it was engulfed in flames rolled down the hill and started to explode. What a horrifyingly experience.

- Enfield, CT, USA

I have only recently seen articles regarding the Hyundai/Kia engines catching fire. I had a 2012 Kia Sorento that the engine caught fire in 2014 hence totalling the vehicle. I have tried for years to discuss this with people but since it wasnt an active recall no one would pursue the case. On May 22, 2014, my detailer went to turn the car on and to move it and the whole engine caught fire. Obviously I do not still own this vehicle but I would like some answers.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

I started experiencing stalling issues in April 2018, had the dealership that I bought it from inspect it and I was advised to change the crankshaft position sensor and the battery. I changed both and the the motor ran fine for around 3000 miles. I was drivong down the highway at 60mph when the vehicle shut off with no warning, oil lamp or check engine light. The vehicle wouldn't start up after stalling. Towed the vehicle to my brother's house, tried to start it a few days later, when it cranked over there was a horrible screaching sound followed by knocking from the engine. Towed the car into Kia in waco and they have denied repairs because my vehicle isn't covered under the recall. I recieved the run around regarding what exactly is broken. The only answer I get is "we know its got broken parts onsode, but we don't know what." I believe that they didn't even perform an inspection, just denied based on not recalled under VIN. Kia sent me an interim notice as well as another notice stating my engine will be covered for 10 years and 120K miles die to the engine bearing clearance issue. Kia doesn't have a record of notified vehicle owners amd is telling me I'm lying by saying I recieved any notification because they have no record. Its already been proven that Kia has hid the defective internal engine parts. I was quoted $7300 for an engine without labor.

- Grandview, TX, USA

June 23 driving on the freeway popping noisecoming from what sounded like under the car red engine symbol comes on in the lower left hand corner of dash immediately begin getting over second popping occurs within 10-15 seconds red oil lamp light comes on right hand side of dashboard smoking from vehicle happens immediately get to side of freeway attempt to turn off car restarts attempt again turns off immediately get out of car and run towards good samaritan who witnesses entire thing stops and stays with me entire time 911 called another vehicle pulls over as front of vehicle is fully engulfed in flames and attempts to extinguish fire but to no avail fire trucks and freeway roadside assistance come within 10 minutes of incident extinguish front of my vehicle vehicle towed in motion at beginning on freeway pulled over and got out on side of freeway NHTSA recall number17V224 may and October 2017 just had 105,000 mile maintenance done at rally Kia on June 11 could not upload pictures said file must be one of the types specified above. Am I able to send them via another way?

- Lancaster, CA, USA

We were driving on the 10 East from California heading home to phoenix, AZ on June 14th. At approx. 12:30pm pst at a cruising speed of 75 mph we approached the long step hill and half way up the hill the engine ceased. We were driving in the left lane and the right lane had many semi- trailer trucks passing us. Luckily we were able to drift the Sorento with no engine power to the right side of the safety shoulder- this could have been a situation with my wife, me and my 11 year daughter as fatalities since losing power up fill as semi-trailer trucks pass you by is extremely dangerous and perilous. We had to get a tow truck to tow the Kia to an independent mechanic in bermuda dunes. His analysis was the engine would not crank over/no signs of over heating, batter levels in good condition, and engine completely seized. We had to tow the Sorento on June 15th to palm springs Kia dealership where the car has been up to this report's writing July 15th -- one full month. Kia palm springs ran their test and said the engine did cease up but no "sludge" in the oil hence no oil issues. When I asked for the technician's report- monica at palm springs Kia said there was no report available for me to review.. monica entered a " good will service case" for me. I had to contact Kia Consumer Affairs a total of 10 times before finally an escalated affair manager lyle clark said Kia motors Inc. Will not be offering any assistance in replacing the engine or any help and that basically I have to take up my case with palm springs Kia-- who by the way advised I contact Kia Consumer Affairs in the first place. No ownership, accountability or compassion by Kia. Many Kia engines are ceasing and one day fatalities will happen. Now I have a broken Kia in palm springs and the terrible feeling of being dismissed by Kia and they only want me to fix it so they can get paid for this indignity.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

2012 Kia Sorento -similar to others, oil pressure light and check engine light came on. Rattling noise heard during acceleration. My mechanic informed me main rear seal blown. Called Kia and learned my engine is not included in the current recall. After reading other reports, seems like Kia may need to expand the recall to include other engines in the same time frame.

- Pittston, ME, USA

I had a few problems with my car, one of them is that my car made a big rattle noise while driving at about 45mph in the street, I call Kia made an appointment took the car and when they got back to me they said it was the throttle need it to be replace ($500) then the started ($600) I have replace this 2 times already, then the drive belt idler pulley and the brake lights go off very often, and so on. Make story short my car was in the safety recall, my car as showed all the signs, rattle noise, the oil light goes on and off the dashboard I have spend a lot of money in this car but they refuse to replace the engine. I received a second safety recall number 17V224 on October 17, 2017. And then another notice from Kia saying they extended the warranty on my car to 120,000 miles. On my point of view that doesn't fix the problem.

- Downey, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise coming from the vehicle and then the motor failed to function. The dealer (crain Kia of sherwood, 5830 warden rd, sherwood, ar 72120, (501) 542-6042) diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer further stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but refused to provide goodwill assistance due to the vehicle's high mileage. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle would need to be repaired by the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Mcgehee, AR, USA

My son was driving our 2012 Kia Sorento and as he exited the freeway to the service road and approached the intersection which was on an uphill grade, the engine suddenly stalled. He lost braking and steering control on the car. The car rolled backwards into the car behind him and collided with the car resulting in $1,820 damage to the other car. The engine had seized and threw a rod into the vehicle starter.

- Houston, TX, USA

Vehicle stalls while in motion and when stopped. When it stalls in motion, there is no steering or brakes. AWD kicks in for no reason and will not go off. I had the vehicle checked and both the map sensor and vcma actuator were both replaced as recommended by the diagnostic computer. I did have a tune up on the vehicle one day prior so I had hoped the spark plugs were the problem. Problem resumed one day after bringing home from shop. I called Kia after seeing there was a recall in may of 2017 that covered certain Sorento models that were stalling, however I was told mine was not a part of this recall. I don't know what to do now other than to take it to Kia and spend enormous amounts in repairs.

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

My car stalled out in the middle of the road while driving on a city street. I took it to the Kia dealership certain it had to be the engine safety recall. They said it was not, blamed the issue on something else and charged me over $1,000 to fix it. I took the car home again. The next morning, it stalled again while driving in the middle of a main city road. I heard a knocking sound from the engine and then it died. Kia is putting my family's lives at risk.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Existed the freeway, stopped at 2 stop lights with other cars with no indication of trouble. Started forward from light 100+ yards and maybe 20 mph when fire erupted from under the engine compartment with large flames. I pulled to side of the road and fire burned from motor compartment into dash and ceiling of passenger area. Vehicle is totaled! the engine had been replaced by Kia on a recall just 5 months ago. Only about 9000 miles on the new engine!

- Lehi, UT, USA

116,000 miles. I have been changing the oil every 2K miles since I found out about an engine problem with my make/model. No matter how many engine flushes and engine cleaners I use it burns oil like crazy. Yesterday I drove 1 block from my house before realizing the car was not accelerating beyond 20 miles per hour. No matter how hard you step on the gas it won't reach more than 2 on the RPM dial.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

My mechanic said my engine seized on me. I was driving on a highway which turns into a city street and the car stopped on me and when I turned the steering wheel right to get off of the busy street it was difficult to turn. I then tried to start the engine, all the lights came on but there was no noise when I turned the key. Smoke started coming out of the engine on the passenger side. I had to get the car towed and the mechanic said the engine seized on me. There were no warning signs. I called Kia but they said my car does not qualify for a recall because it is not a gdi model, even though it falls into the same year for the engine recall. I called Kia to see how much it would cost to get the engine replaced and was told they discontinued my engine model. So they told me my best bet would be to search for a used engine in a junk yard.

- Calexico, CA, USA