2012 Kia Sorento

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Kia Sorento
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 875 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	305
2004	220
2005	307
2006	242
2007	154
2008	215
2009	55
2010	3
2011	1516
2012	875
2013	977
2014	976
2015	745
2016	1236
2017	788
2018	248
2019	414
2020	128
2021	225
2022	181
2023	104
2024	36
2025	67
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 53%

53% of complaints: engine — 460 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in her carport, she was awakened by her son that a fire had ignited and that the vehicle was in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230927

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 127 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in her carport, she was awakened by her son that a fire had ignited and that the vehicle was in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230927

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 79 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171213

I JUST TURNED RIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET IN MY SUBDIVISION WHEN A MOTORCYCLE GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HIT THE SPEED BUMP AN RAN RIGHT INTO MY DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AN THERE IS AIR BAGS ON THE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120830

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120515

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120201

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 875

I 20131021 — PE (closed 20140521)

Panoramic Sunroof Breakage

I 20140512 — EA (closed 20210115)

Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage

R 20151109 — power train

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20170518 — RQ (closed 20211222)

Scope and Timeliness

R 20170620 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V224000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20190117 — engine, fuel system, gasoline

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)...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20200601 — PE (closed 20220125)

Headlight Failure

R 20210125 — 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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V750000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed