2012 Kia Sorento problems and recalls

53% of owner complaints on the 2012 Kia Sorento related to the Engine (461 of 877).

877
Complaints
5
Recalls
21
Crash reports
76
Fire reports
36
Injuries
91.0
Severity index

Severity index 91.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 91.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 25 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 81% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 461 complaints (52.6%)461 53%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 127 complaints (14.5%)127 14%Service BrakesService Brakes: 103 complaints (11.7%)103 12%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 81 complaints (9.2%)81 9%Air BagsAir Bags: 80 complaints (9.1%)80 9%HydraulicHydraulic: 69 complaints (7.9%)69 8%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 60 complaints (6.8%)60 7%Power TrainPower Train: 55 complaints (6.3%)55 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE46152.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12714.5%
SERVICE BRAKES10311.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER819.2%
AIR BAGS809.1%
HYDRAULIC697.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING606.8%
POWER TRAIN556.3%

Complaints filed per year

0701402011: 72012: 272013: 292014: 532015: 322016: 442017: 862018: 1092019: 1382020: 602021: 652022: 392023: 602024: 912025: 202026: 17 (partial year)11121314151617181913820212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20117
201227
201329
201453
201532
201644
201786
2018109
2019138
202060
202165
202239
202360
202491
202520
2026 (year to date)17
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (171 against 164).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
20V75000002/12/2020ENGINEKia 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.
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia 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.
15V62600006/10/2015POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONKia 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 allo
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Sorento model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.