Model year
2012 Kia Sorento
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 880 complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (461), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (127), AIR BAGS (81). NHTSA lists 10 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 305 complaints
- 2004 220 complaints
- 2005 307 complaints
- 2006 242 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 217 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2011 1,520 complaints
- 2012 880 complaints
- 2013 982 complaints
- 2014 988 complaints
- 2015 754 complaints
- 2016 1,258 complaints
- 2017 808 complaints
- 2018 255 complaints
- 2019 433 complaints
- 2020 138 complaints
- 2021 254 complaints
- 2022 193 complaints
- 2023 125 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 76 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE 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…
20V750000 · Dec 2, 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.
18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
ENGINE; 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…
17V224000 · Mar 31, 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 · Oct 6, 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…
Complaints
880 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 21, fire flag on 77, injury field 36, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE13035 | Panoramic Sunroof Breakage · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | Oct 21, 2013 | May 21, 2014 |
| EA14002 | Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | May 12, 2014 | Jan 15, 2021 |
| RQ17003 | Scope and Timeliness · ENGINE | May 18, 2017 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| DP18003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Aug 21, 2018 | May 10, 2019 |
| PE19004 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Mar 29, 2019 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| PE20008 | Headlight Failure · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Jun 1, 2020 | Jan 25, 2022 |
4 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.168 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.178 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Sorento 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Sorento 2WD · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento 4WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento 4WD · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 26 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sorento 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Kia Sorento at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.