2012 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,206 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Kia Sorento, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 10 defect investigations. It scores 64/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 100,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2012 Kia Sorento sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2003–2004, 2006–2009, 2018, 2020–2022.
Avoid
Where 2012 sits among all Sorento years
What owners report
“Engine seized, came to a red light car died had it towed and was told the motor is locked up due to bearing wear!!!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
“Passenger side low beam headlight keeps burning out. Had bulb replaced one month ago, burnt out again. Had it replaced several times. One time recently the mechanic had to also replace the wiring connections because it melted.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
“The paneramic sunroof shattered while driving at 60 mph on highway in very light traffic. Nothing seemed to strike the sunroof.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
“Warning light came on stating passenger side airbag has been deactivated at around 103,000 miles and has not turned off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
“Car stalls out while driving then i have to pull over and restart it and it has a jerking to it when this happens”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Sorento
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 771 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 90,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 52,000 and 118,200 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 23V877.
Led to recall campaign 20V088000.
Led to recall campaign 18V907000.
Led to recall campaign 17V224000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento reliable?
The 2012 Kia Sorento drew 1,206 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 64/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2012 Kia Sorento problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 Kia Sorento are engine (476 complaints), electrical (187), and brakes & stability (104).
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sorento problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 Kia Sorento problems around 90,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 52,000 and 118,200 miles.
Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 Kia Sorento. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.