2012 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 880 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 21 involved a crash and 77 involved a fire. 36 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
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.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
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.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
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.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
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.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015
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.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Campaign 15V626000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 12, 2020
I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO REPLACE MY OCS SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FOR $ 2100-$2300. THEY SAID THE AIR BAG WON'T WORK. NEXT TO ME WAS ANOTHER WOMAN BEING GIVEN THE SAME INFO AT THE DEALER AND ONLINE I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. RIDICULOUS!!!!!! *TR
Air bags, Feb 1, 2020
AT 97K MILES, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A $134 KIA SERVICE VISIT, THEY DETERMINED WE NEEDED TO REPLACE OUR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FOR AN OCS SENSOR, AT A COST OF $2,550. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING MANY WEBSITES (AND NHTSA), I SEE THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING, BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS ISSUE WITH THE CAR.
Air bags, Jan 13, 2020
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ON. ACCORDING TO UNIVERSTIY FORD/KIA DEALERSHIP IN DURHAM NC THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS BAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2200.00. THIS VEHICLE HAS 142,000 MILES AND I THINK KIA SHOULD PAY FOR THIS. TO REPAIR WILL REQUIRE A NEW SEAT. ACCORDING TO KIA SERVICE THE AIRBAGS NO LONGER WILL FUNCTION OR MAY BE ACTIVATED PREMATURELY.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2019
VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 88000 MILES AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DEALER SAYS WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM 1500 TO 2600 DOLLARS TO FIND AND REPLACE ISSUE. OTHER SORRENTO OWNERS COMPLAINING ONLINE ABOUT SAME ISSUE. ON INITIAL START FOR THE DAY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OUT
Air bags, Seats, Nov 5, 2019
THE OCS (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR) HAS FAILED, RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAILING IN THE "OFF" POSITION. THE COST TO REPLACE IS IN EXCESS OF $2,000... A PRICE THAT WILL LEAVE MANY OWNERS WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. KIA HAS EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR OTHER FAILING AIRBAG COMPONENTS (CLOCK SPRING), IT IS ODD THEY WOULD LEAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS EXPOSED BY NOT COVERING THIS ONE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 11, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES , NO BEEPING WHEN PASSENGER SITTING AND CAR MOVING,
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
AT APPROXIMATELY 123K MILES, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A KIA SERVICE DIAGNOSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEED AN OCS MAT REPLACEMENT, PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THE COST IS $2,700. AFTER REVIEWING MANY CONSUMER WEBSITES, I SEE THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS STARTING THE CAR AND NEVER WENT OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A NATIONWIDE ISSUE WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING. (I HAVE A RECALL LETTER, BUT IT IS FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING.)
Air bags, Sep 10, 2019
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA MOTORS STATING THAT I NEED TO BRING IN MY 2012 SORENTO IN TO HAVE THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" CHECKED AS MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS ILLUMINATED. I BROUGHT IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NOT THE "CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY" BUT THE OCS MAT THAT IS DEFECTIVE ( CODE B1764 ) AND WOULD COST ME $2640 TO REPLACE...I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM "MIGHT NOT" FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED...WHY IS THE OCS MAT NOT A RECALL MATTER AS IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY ARE FAILING MISERABLY...VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON CONTINUALLY...
Air bags, Sep 10, 2019
I TOO HAVE THE PROBLEM OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON OUT OF THE BLUE; NO ACCIDENTS.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
MY SUV HAS NOT ENCOUNTERED ANY INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. YESTERDAY WHILE LEAVING WORK THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT STILL HAS NOT TURNED OFF. LOOKING AT RECENT COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT KIA HAS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NATIONWIDE.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT ON. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING TO SET IT OFF. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND THIS IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE. SO UNSAFE!!!
Air bags, Jul 11, 2019
MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL THROUGH MY TRIP. IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY SO MANY OTHER USERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS LIKELY FAULTY AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Jun 27, 2019
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG NOT ALLOWING IT TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT (AT ALL TIMES), WILL COST $2,000 TO REPAIR
Air bags, Jun 8, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. I TURNED MY CAR ON LIKE NORMALLY AND THE AIRBAG LIKE CONTINUED TO STAY ON INSTEAD OF TURNING OFF ONCE YOU ARE BUCKLED AND STARTED DRIVING.
Air bags, May 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DARCARS KIA OF FREDERICK (5826 URBANA PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704, (301) 696-1200) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,200.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALOHA KIA OF MAUI (89 E WAKEA AVE, KAHULUI, HI 96732) AND REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEIGHT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,250.
Air bags, Feb 14, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - OCS MAT PASSENGER FRONT SEAT- AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT - KIA SAID IT IS NOT A DEFECT HOWEVER I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1950.00 TO FIX IT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 12, 2018
DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, AIR BAG LIGHT IS TURNED ON AFTER REPLACING BATTERY IN CAR, AND CAR WON'T PASS SMOG BECAUSE O2 SENSOR READINESS AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORS WON'T SHOW READY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND CAR IS NOT PULLING ANY ERROR CODES, BOTH UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AIR FILTERS CHANGED, AND FUEL SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AND STILL DID NOTHING TO MAKE THE MONITORS SHOW READY
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Nov 28, 2018, fire
I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE A FIRE GUN THAN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY ON FIRE, I GOT MY TWO DAUGHTERS OUT OF THE TRUCK AND FIVE MINUTES LATER THE WHOLE TRUCK EXPLOTED
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2018
"TAKATA RECAL". MY KIA 2012 WITH CURRENT MILLAGE 49,000. NO ACCIDENT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER. THEY SAID INTAKE MANIFOLD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IT COST AROUND $900.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2018
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. LOCAL KIA DEALER CLOSING SO NOT TAKING APPOINTMENTS. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH RECOMMENDED CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. THEIR COMPUTER SAID HIGH RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG. LIGHT IS ON WHETHER SITTING IN THE CAR OR NOT SITTING IN IT BUT IGNITION ON. AS LONG AS CAR IS ON LIGHT IS ON. IT HAS ABOUT 79,000 MILES.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNION CITY AUTO MALL (4080 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 964-3825) AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,892.
Air bags, Seats, Aug 23, 2018
MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF A FEW MONTHS AGO. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IS WAS A SHORT BECAUSE IT WENT OFF ANYTIME I MOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AROUND. I HAD MY SERVICE TECH CHECK IT A FEW TIMES, AND HE RESET IT. HE EVENTUALLY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO KIA. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE OCS MAT WAS BAD. IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. I WAS QUOTED $2601.29 FOR JUST THE PART! THEY SAID I NEEDED THE WHOLE CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. IMO, THEY SHOULD PUT A BACKUP SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THIS IF THEY'RE GOING TO PUT FAULTY PARTS IN THEIR SEATS. OR, THEY SHOULD CONSTRUCT A BETTER WAY TO REPAIR THESE WITHOUT A COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT. IT BASICALLY MEANS, IF I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WOULDN'T THINK ANYONE IS PRESENT IN THE SEAT. SO, IT WOULDN'T TRIGGER THE AIRBAG ON THAT SIDE. I'VE CONTEMPLATED BUILDING A BYPASS TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF EVEN IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT DURING A COLLISION. IT WAS SO BAD FOR THE 2009 VERSION, THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BYPASS FOR $50. BUT, THERE'S NO GOOD DOCUMENTATION ON THE 2012 MODEL. I DO HAVE 142,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BUT, I WOULD BET THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS BEEN USED ABOUT 30% OF THAT. SO, THIS IS A CASE OF A BAD PART. I HAVE PAMPERED THIS CAR. IT STILL LOOKS NEW. I PAID IT OFF AND HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT BLEW UP. NOW, I'M CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF IT AND BUYING A NEW CAR. I'D PREFER TO DRIVE FREE FOR AWHILE. BUT, I'M CERTAINLY NOT PAYING $3000 TO FIX THIS. I KNEW THEY HAD A RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS FOR THIS EXACT SAME THING. I'M NOT CONVINCED THEY CHANGED ANYTHING FOR THE 2012 MODEL. BUT, THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS AS NEEDED.
Air bags, Aug 20, 2018
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE FRONT PANEL TURNED ON WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 90,000 MILES WITH NO ACCIDENT OR OTHER ISSUE. THE KIA DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LET ME KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE AND THE AIR BAG AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $800 IN PR. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. I CONSIDER THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS NOT RELATED TO AN ACCIDENT OR ANY EVENT CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER. INSTEAD, THE ISSUE JUST APPEARED WITH TIME AND NOW OUR SAFETY IS AT RISK.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 10, 2018
SRS, AIRBAG MODULE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY REPLACING BULBS JUNE 2018, 88KMIKES AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT RESETTING. DEALER STATED IT IS THE AIRBAG MODULE, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $750-$800 TO REPAIR AND RESET