2012 Kia Sorento: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 875 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 5 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
875
Complaints
5
Recalls
21
Crash reports
76
Fire reports
36
Injuries
94.6
Severity index
Severity index 94.6 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 129 2012 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2012 Kia Sorento ranks 34 of 129 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 74% of its model-year peers. See the full 2012 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 460 | 52.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 127 | 14.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 102 | 11.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 81 | 9.3% |
| AIR BAGS | 79 | 9.0% |
| HYDRAULIC | 68 | 7.8% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 60 | 6.9% |
| POWER TRAIN | 55 | 6.3% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 460 of 875 complaints (52.6%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 86 |
| 2018 | 109 |
| 2019 | 138 |
| 2020 | 60 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2024 | 91 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 15 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V907000 | 19/12/2018 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 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 h |
| 20V750000 | 02/12/2020 | 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. |
| 17V224000 | 31/03/2017 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 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. |
| 15V626000 | 06/10/2015 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 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 allo |
| 23V652000 | 25/09/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 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 Con |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.