Model year record

2012 Kia Sorento

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,264 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-25
Owners notified
2024-03-29

Defect description

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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V750000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
294,756
Reported to NHTSA
2020-12-02
Owners notified
2021-01-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V907000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
71,653
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-17

Defect description

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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V224000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
618,160
Reported to NHTSA
2017-03-31
Owners notified
2017-06-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V626000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
377,062
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-06
Owners notified
2015-11-09

Defect description

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 allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Safety risk

Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine481100,000 mi
Electrical system12969,000 mi
Air bags8697,000 mi
Unknown or other8690,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic73106,000 mi
Exterior lighting5595,000 mi
Power train5535,000 mi
Service brakes3650,222 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3489,730 mi
Structure: body3172,296 mi
Vehicle speed control2914,000 mi
Suspension2565,000 mi
Steering2038,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1648,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling1377,000 mi
Seats1382,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1352,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1169,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline6143,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights590,000 mi
Wheels541,578 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking3130 mi
Seat belts3102,000 mi
Structure31,300 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility215,000 mi
Structure: body: door220 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate235,000 mi
Back over prevention155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ECU/ECM): software1203,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: sump/tank: drain plug1
Firerelated1150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister1114,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap117,272 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock120 mi
Power train: automatic transmission110,100 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: linkage: clutch cable/rod/arm181,000 mi
Power train: driveline1125 mi
Seat belts: front120 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint120 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1180,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system126,000 mi
Tires165,000 mi
Traction control system175,000 mi
Trailer hitches1
Visibility1

The 2011 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.