Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Kia Sorento recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 880
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Sep 25, 2023	23V652000
Engine	1	–	Dec 2, 2020	20V750000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Engine and engine cooling	1	–	Mar 31, 2017	17V224000
Power train	1	–	Oct 6, 2015	15V626000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202323V652000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000 What's wrong 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. Risk An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. 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. Campaign NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Dec 2, 202020V750000	Engine An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V750000 What's wrong 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. Risk An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Mar 31, 201717V224000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V224000 What's wrong 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. Risk Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017
Oct 6, 201515V626000	Power train: automatic transmission 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V626000 What's wrong 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." 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V626000 · Oct 6, 2015

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Kia Sorento? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component880

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

880Complaints filed

21Involving a crash

77Involving a fire

36Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	461	52	2	53	9
Electrical system	127	14	1	20	6
Service brakes	103	12	3	9	7
Air bags	81	9	9	1	12
Unknown or other	81	9	3	8	4
Hydraulic	69	8	2	6	2
Exterior lighting	60	7	1	5	0
Power train	55	6	6	0	4
Structure	35	4	2	4	3
Fuel/propulsion system	31	4	0	10	0
Vehicle speed control	29	3	2	1	1
Suspension	22	3	1	0	1
Steering	20	2	1	2	1
Visibility	17	2	0	0	7
Engine and engine cooling	15	2	0	2	0

16 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“Unknown”
Filed 09/22/2026 · ODI 11766028
Air bags
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light was illuminated.”
Filed 09/14/2026 · ODI 11764195
Fuel/propulsion system
“While driving I smelled gas, a few minutes later I saw smoke coming from the hood of the car. I stopped, turned the car off, got my dog, exited the car, which then exploded into flames.”
Filed 09/13/2026 · ODI 11763890

Other Kia Sorento model years

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2012 Kia Sorento recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Sorento. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Sorento?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 461 complaints out of 880 filed with NHTSA (52%). Across all complaints, owners reported 21 crashs and 77 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Kia Sorento?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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Recall summary by component5

Safety recalls5

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

Engine

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Power train: automatic transmission