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: other or unspecified
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2022
Pearl white paint chipping off at unusual rate for no reason
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2022, crash
Went to park put on the breaks and vehicle accelerated and could not stop went over the cement parking lot space and hit the post of the commercial building. Luckily no one hurt except the post. No individual. This accident was today 2-19-2022. Police report number. 22-0145. Cape May,NJ Police Department. This happen at least three other times. Once going thru a red light. Do not recall dates.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 17, 2022, fire
There was the smell of gasoline inside the cabin. Then the check engine light came on. Smoke began coming from the engine compartment. The fire completely engulfed the vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2021, fire
The car randomly started to burst j to flames. Our car is now totaled because of an engine compartment fire.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2021
Pearl white paint pealing on front, back, top of car
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2021
FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE INOPERABLE FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WITH NO PRIOR COMPLICATIONS OR DAMAGE ENSUED. KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2011 KIA SORENTO MODELS AND NOT RESOLVED IN NEWER MODELS. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES IN SAFETY ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THIS SHOULD BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 4, 2021
CAR NEVER HAS HAD ENGINE ISSUES AND GETS REGULAR, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED THREE WEEKS AGO AS I DO EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SIEZE. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC AND NO CRACKS/LEAKS WERE FOUND. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL CURRENTLY FOR THE ENGINE BEARINGS BEING PREMATURELY WORN CAUSING ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AND SIEZE. MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED UNDER THIS RECALL, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT IS AN INTERNAL/ENGINE PROBLEM, THUS QUITE LIKELY DUE TO THESE WORN BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 25, 2020
HI I AM WRITING YOU ON BEHALF OF MY KIA SORRENTO 2012 I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS THE LAST PAST NINE MONTHS AFTER MY CAR WOULDN'T START I SUPPOSEDLY ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY SO I HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED IN THE LOCK AT THE BATTERY IS ABOUT 78 YEARS OLD SO I CHANGED IT AFTER CHANGE THAT STILL DRAIN AFTER EVERY MONTH MY CAR WOULD JUST TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING OR STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I PUT MY AC OR MY HEATER ON IT DROPS IDLE AND IT MAKES THE CAR REALLY HEAVY TO THE POINT WHERE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S HOLDING BACK MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS OCCASIONALLY OFTEN ON WHERE I'LL BE DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE OR A SHORT DISTANCE WITH THE AC ON AND AS I'M PARKING TURN OFF THE AC IN THE CAR WHILE I GO UP AND DOWN AND WILL DROP IDOL AND JUST TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY SPIDERS I DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE I'VE HAD IT CHECKED OUT EVERY MONTH FOR THE LAST PAST NINE MONTHS AND PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH THEY ALWAYS KEEP ON TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE I HAVE LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER AND HAVE PUT IN THE NHTSE NUMBER AND I HAVE A FORM YOU RECALLS AND THEY LOOK LIKE ENGINE CESAR AN ENGINE FIRE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2020, fire
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT BROKE DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 20 MINUTES ON 12/10/2020. IT WAS IN COBB COUNTY GA OFF OF EW CONNECTOR AND IN BETWEEN FONTAINE RD AND FLOYD RD.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2020
HAVE HAD THE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT CV AXLE TWICE IN THE PAST 40K MILES (ONCE AT ABOUT 118K AND AGAIN AT 150K) MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN KIAS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2020
WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO ZERO AND THE POWER DECREASES, BUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T STOP RUNNING. THEN IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING, AND I PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN IT OFF, AND START IT AGAIN, THEN IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS ALREADY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND BLINKERS NUMEROUS TIMES. I'M AT THE POINT THAT I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN UP. BTW, THE ENGINE TEMP LIGHT REMAINS NORMAL. ALSO, SOMETIMES, THE ENGINE WILL STOP WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR SIGN, BUT THEN IS NORMAL WHEN I START IT AGAIN.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2020
I HAVE FAULTY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WHY IS THERE NO RECALL VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN WRECKED. AIRBAG WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE WITHOUT AIRBAG REPAIR, AS LONG AS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ON THE DASH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILS INSPECTION. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSE DEATH IF I WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
AIRBAG ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE KIA NEEDS TO RECALL AIRBAGS MAY JUST SAVE A LIFE AND MINES IS AT STATE HERE... PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DISABLED AND WILL NOT ALLOW OTHER AIRBAGS TO WORK IF I BECOME IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE I'M FEAR OF MY SAFETY
Air bags, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2020
I PURCHASED A KIA SORENTO ON JULY 21 2020 AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT POPPED ON THE SALES MAN TOOK IT TO ONE OF THEIR ON SITE EMPLOYEES AND THEY HOOKED UP THE CODE DEVICE NO CODES APPEARED SO HE SUGGESTED ITS JUST A SENSOR PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT SHOULDN'T BE MUCH TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. I DID IN WHICH COULDN'T GET IN TO SEE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL TODAY IN WHICH I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ODS MAT WAS FAULTY. I TOLD THE SERVICE GUY THAT THE CAR LOT TOOK THE SEATS OUT TO CLEAN THE SUV FOR SALE AND HE TOLD ME THEY DAMAGED OR BROKE THE ODS MAT. I CONTACTED THE SELLER AND STRONGER EXPRESSED MY FEELING ABOUT MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE ONLY THING HE SAID TO ME IS MY PAYMENT DUE AUGUST 31 TODAY IS THE 10TH AND THIS REPLACEMENT WILL BE OVER 2300 THAT I CAN'T AFFORD AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER. I REALLY FEEL THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG AND JUST TRIED TO MAKE A SALE SAYING IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE THAT KIA WILL HAVE TO RESET.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE CAR'S ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND IT ALLOWED ME TO RESTART AND DRIVE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME I STARTED IT, I TURNED OFF ON A LESS CROWED ROAD TO GET TO ANOTHER STRETCH OF ROAD AND DROVE VERY SLOWING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES TO GET IT HOME. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I DIDN'T PARK IT IN THE GARAGE. THE SMELL WAS STRONG AND THE HOOD VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANCE IT CATCHING ON FIRE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I KEEP THE OIL CHANGED AND HAD IT DONE ON 6/22/2020. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2020
MY MOO ROOF SHATTERED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 5 YEARS. NOTHING HIT IT, IT WAS PARKED THE FIRST TIME AND WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE STANDING NEXT TO IT AND HEARD IT START TO SHATTER, YESTERDAY I GOT IN IT AFTER IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE STARTED TO DRIVE AND HEARD THIS POP/ CRACKLING SOUND AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN! THIS CAN'T BE BAD LUCK TWICE IN A ROW LIKE THIS. I DID NOTHING TO IT, WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING AND NOW AGAIN, SHATTERED!
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2020
ON THE AFTERNOON OF 2-27-20 I WAS DRIVING ON I-25 HEADED SOUTH, NEAR MEAD (BETWEEN LOVELAND AND DENVER) I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 80MPH IN THE MIDDLE (3) LANE WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE NO REASON AT ALL. GLASS RAINED DOWN EVERYWHERE AND I FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT IT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS IS A BUSY SECTION OF I-25 AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CARS NEARBY, ALL GOING 70+MPH. I HEARD NO IMPACT TO THE SUNROOF WHATSOEVER. IT JUST SORT OF EXPLODED. IT SEEMS TO ME AS THOUGH THE LEADING METAL EDGE WAS FLEXING AND AIR GOT UNDER IT IN SUCH A WAY, THAT IT JUST PEELED BACK. I HAVE THE METAL PIECE SHOWN IN THE PIC ATTACHED. THE END OF THAT PIECE OF METAL LANDED ON MY RIGHT FOREARM; GLAD I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 6, 2020
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING STRANGE INTERMITTENT ENGINE TROUBLES & SYMPTOMS. (THE FIRST SYMPTOMS APPEARED IN SEPTEMBER 2019) IT STARTED WITH THE ACCELERATER GOING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OVER ABOUT 50 MPH ONCE OR TWICE RANDOMLY. ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. AND THEN THIS TIME IT ALSO STALLED AT A STOP SIGN. OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR ENGINE HICCUPS. IT WILL LOSE POWER AND COME BACK ON WITHIN A HALF SECOND. AND THEN CONTINUE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ANOTHER MONTH. RECENTLY THE SYMPTOMS ARE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. IT IS TERRIFYING. I CAN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I AM SO SCARED. AT THIS POINT, THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE NOW TAKEN PLACE NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED - WHEN IN MOTION UP TO 60-70 MPH, AROUND 30 MPH, AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT, ETC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST SYMPTOM. AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A KIA SERVICE LOCATION. ALL HAVE SAID THE CAR SEEMS TO BE RUNNING GREAT AND THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING UP OR ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON. THEY CANNOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR UNLESS THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR. I HAVE SEEN SOME ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT A RECALL FOR KIA'S OF MY YEAR WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT THIS RECALL IS NOT ON MY VIN? I AM HONESTLY SO UPSET BECAUSE I LOVED THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR, BUT I REALLY JUST WANTED TO GET THIS FIXED. I DO BELIEVE MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY THE OTHER RECALL, BUT WHY ISNT IT SHOWING UP? WHAT DO I DO? THIS CAR IS PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHER PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE A LOT OF TRAVEL COMING UP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I NEED A SAFE CAR AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2019
CODE :P0014 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 11, 2019
HAD TWO MOTORS REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRUMBLED WHEN MECHANICS REPLACED MOTOR NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME 3000 WHY WOULD THIS CRUMBLE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED AS ENGINE PROBABALY DAMAGED IT MAY HAVE EVEN CAUGHT FIRE AND DIDN'T KNOW
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2019
WHEN I USED MY DEFROST THIS CRACK CAME UP AND KEPT SPREADING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A WRECK WITH THIS VEHICLE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 1, 2019, fire
AS I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK, MY CAR BLEW UP IN FLAMES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 8, 2019
MOTOR JUST ALL OF LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF SUDDEN I HEAR THE FANS START BLOWING LOUDLY I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE, NOW I'M WITHOUT VEHICLE
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 12, 2019
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THIS BANGING NOISE STARTED WHICH FELT LIKE WE HIT SOMETHING OR AN OBJECT THE ROAD (JUST ONE BIG BANG NOISE). THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WE TOOK IT THE AAA AND THEY SERVICED IT AND MADE SOME REPAIRS TO IT AND REPLACED SOME PARTS. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND NOW (FEB 2019), I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND IT CAME BACK AND HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY. UPON RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, I AM HERE ON THIS SITE TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS FOR THESE ISSUES. NOW, I DO NOT WANT OUR CAR TO CATCH FIRE SINCE I'VE READ A FEW PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THIS HORRIFYING PREDICAMENT. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? WILL KIA TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENED? IT SEEMS TO BE CASE WITH THESE RECALLS, SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAS TO HAPPEN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 98K+ MILES ON IT FROM STEVENS CREEK SUBARU. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY RECALLS NOR ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS WEEK, I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE IN THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE EVERY TIME I BRAKED. ITS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HITTING PIECE OF PLASTIC. IT HASN'T CHANGED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR THAT I CAN EASILY TELL. HOWEVER, THIS EVENING, MY MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS NOT TURNING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE I DROVE OFF THE LOT, BUT GIVEN IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE WASHER FLUID, I'M NOT CONVINCED IT WAS SERVICED PROPERLY. I'M ALSO NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT EASILY WHEN I AM NEEDING TO PICK-UP SPEED WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THE SHIFT TRANSITION ISN'T SMOOTH. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HEAT FEATURE ON THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT WORK - IT WORKED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE.