Worst 2012 Kia Sorento Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Kia Sorento.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 458 | 2 | 52 | 94,982 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 127 | 1 | 20 | 72,437 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 81 | 3 | 8 | 87,806 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 78 | 9 | 1 | 104,090 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 65 | 2 | 6 | 85,308 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 55 | 1 | 3 | 98,456 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 53 | 6 | — | 59,241 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 32 | 1 | 3 | 54,312 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 30 | 2 | 4 | 83,444 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 29 | — | 8 | 93,262 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 29 | 2 | 1 | 26,189 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 20 | 1 | — | 129,262 mi | |
| STEERING | 18 | 1 | 2 | 95,615 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 16 | — | — | 55,155 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 13 | — | 2 | 86,993 mi | |
| SEATS | 13 | — | — | 84,936 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 13 | — | — | 60,082 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 11 | — | 1 | 79,093 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 6 | — | 1 | 140,235 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 | — | 2 | 109,500 mi | |
| WHEELS | 5 | — | — | 46,552 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 3 | — | — | 130 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 | 1 | — | 95,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | — | — | 1,526 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 2 | — | — | 25,000 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 2 | — | — | — | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 | — | — | 35,010 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 2 | — | — | 53,558 mi | |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 | — | — | 55,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE | 1 | — | — | 203,000 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Kia Sorento
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,893,668 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Other Kia Sorento Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Kia Sorento
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