What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 KIA Sorento

Typical pattern

4.9% of complaints about the 2012 KIA Sorento came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (460 complaints), typically at 7.4 yr or about 99,700 miles.

Complaints
1,198
Median age at failure
7.4 yr
Median mileage
88,900 n=806
Crash / fire / tow
18.1% of reports
Safety recalls
5 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
460 reports · 99,700 mi
7.4 yr
20.9%
Electrical system
126 reports · 71,329 mi
7.2 yr
18.3%
Air bags
81 reports · 97,000 mi
7.3 yr
13.6%
Other
79 reports · 92,000 mi
8.5 yr
16.5%
Service brakes, hydraulic
70 reports · 119,509 mi
12.2 yr
17.1%
Exterior lighting
60 reports · 96,000 mi
7.7 yr
11.7%
Power train
52 reports · 41,500 mi
4.3 yr
19.2%
Structure
36 reports · 71,000 mi
6.6 yr
16.7%
Service brakes
33 reports · 64,000 mi
6.8 yr
15.2%
Fuel / propulsion
31 reports · 89,730 mi
9.2 yr
32.3%
Speed control
29 reports · 14,000 mi
3.6 yr
10.3%
Steering
20 reports · 30,000 mi
2.6 yr
20%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V652000 2023-09-25 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

20V750000 2020-12-02
Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

17V224000 2017-03-31
Engine and engine cooling:engine

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

15V626000 2015-10-06
Power train:automatic transmission

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.

In owners’ own words

Structure 1,300 mi 1 mo in service
THE PANEL ASSEMBLY UNDER COVER IS BROKEN OFF EASY AND OBSTRUCTING THE WHEELS MOVEMENT, CAN CAUSES OVER TURN OR FLIP OVER. *TR
Structure 20 mi 6 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. ..UPDATED 11/01/12 *BF UPDATED UPDATED 11/02/2012 *JS
Structure 20 mi 6 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. ..UPDATED 11/01/12 *BF UPDATED UPDATED 11/02/2012 *JS
Steering 1,300 mi 1 mo in service
THE PANEL ASSEMBLY UNDER COVER IS BROKEN OFF EASY AND OBSTRUCTING THE WHEELS MOVEMENT, CAN CAUSES OVER TURN OR FLIP OVER. *TR

Other Sorento model years

202520232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112009200820072006200520042003

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