2012 Kia Sorento
5 recalls and 879 owner complaints on record for this model year.
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This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VIN5 recalls and 879 owner complaints on record for this model year.
This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
1 recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Check whether this vehicle was remedied before driving or storing it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off. If moisture enters the HECU, an electrical short circuit can occur. If an electrical short circuit occurs, this could result in an engine compartment fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (anti-lock braking system / electronic stability control) system. This may lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire, irrespective of whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Due to a software error, the turn indicators (blinkers) may malfunction. Other road users will be unable to see if the vehicle is about to turn, creating a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Damage to the auxiliary heater may cause an electrical fault. This can increase thermal heat generation, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.
I WAS DRIVING A 2012 KIA SORENTO WITH THREE OTHER PASSENGERS AND OUR FAMILY DOG. I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF MY CAR THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR PASSING ME SINCE MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH A NEW ENGINE AND NEW TRANSMISSION. I LOOK AGAIN THERE IS NO CAR GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY AND NOW I SEE A LOT MORE SMOKE. CARS COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY ARE FLASHING ME AND WAVING SO I FIGURED I'M PROBABLY OVER HEATING. I STEER TO THE RIGHT ON A STEEP HILL THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK I QUICKLY THROW IT INTO PARK THE GEARS ARE GONE SO NO PARK. AT THAT POINT WE SEE FLAMES SHOOTING AT US. MY DAUGHTER AND I OPEN OUR DOORS THE CAR IS SLOWLY ROLLING DOWN THE HILL, THE DOOR HITS HER SHE GOES FLYING THE CAR ALMOST RUNS HER OVER. I TAKE THE CAR AND I'M HOLDING THE 4,000 POUND CAR BACK FROM ROLLING DOWN THE HILL SO THE KIDS AND DOG IN THE BACK SEAT CAN GET OUT. THEY FINALLY FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, GRABBED THE DOG BY THE COLLAR. I LET GO OF THE CAR IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND STARTED TO EXPLODE. WHAT A HORRIFYINGLY EXPERIENCE.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 42 MPH, another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign, and she collided with the other vehicle head-on. As a result, her vehicle careened off the roadway and into a ditch, colliding with an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report and injuries were reported. The driver and her passengers were transported to an area hospital by EMS and treated for various injuries. The driver was treated for injuries to her neck, right shoulder, both wrists, lower back, and left knee; her husband was treated for a two-inch laceration to his neck; and her son was treated for an injury to his right knee. The driver of the other vehicle was treated at an area hospital for unknown injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it remained as the contact had yet to hear from her insurance provider. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Hey I’ve Recently Wrecked My Vehicle Due To Malfunctions This Year Just A Few Months Ago & I Reported It To The Dealer Before I Crashed It. That Something Was Wrong With The Engine And Also Sent The Dealership I Purchased It From Videos Before Hand But Nobody Would Listen To Me. Now My Car Is Sitting In A lot Engine Blowed And I Can’t Afford Another One. I Have Proof , Names And Also Couldn’t Get My Car Fixed Because I Only Had Liability Insurance Only. No Report Was Filed Because Me And The Other Vehicle Was Transported To Uab Hospital.
ON AUGUST 23, 2015, A 2012 KIA SORENTO WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STATIONARY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING ANY INTENTIONAL ACTION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NUETRAL OR REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE BACKWARDS. AS IT MOVED BACKWARDS, IT KNOCKED OVER AND DRAGGED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, WHO AT THE TIME WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A PERSON STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE, PINNING THAT PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V626 FOR 2011-2013 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES INVOLVING WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM.
I WAS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE WHO WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 3RD VEHICLE. I WATCHED MY 9 YEAR OLD WHO WAS BUCKLED IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE GET THROWN AROUND FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS DURING THE FIRST IMPACT, I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AS WE WERE HIT A SECOND TIME AND I WATCHED HER GET THROWN AROUND FORWARD AND BACKWARD AGAIN. THE SEATBELT DID NOT ENGAGE AT EITHER POINT OF IMPACT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HIP AND NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HIP, RIGHT ARM AND RIGHT LEG. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,426.
This morning the panoramic sunroof on our 2012 Kia Sorrento spontaneously exploded. Shattered and chunks of safety glass came down on us. My son and I sustained superficial injuries (I sustained laceration over left eye and on left hand) - he has a lump on the right side of his skull. When we pulled over the glass was also on the rear portion of the roof. Nothing struck the vehicle. There was no vehicle/truck in front of us for potential debris. Open sky above. It sounded like a gunshot before the glass exploded over us.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GLASS PARTICLES FELL ONTO THE PASSENGERS. THERE WERE MINOR SCRAPES, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,414.
I WAS TRAVELING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE SUNROOF WAS FULLY CLOSED AND HAD IMPLODED WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. GLASS HAD FALLEN ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RESULTING IN MINOR LACERATIONS. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE VISIBLE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS SUCH AS ROCKS WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 6/19/2015*JS
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed he smelled a burning fuel odor, and smoke began coming into the vehicle from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and unlatched the hood of the vehicle only to find a sizeable amount of fire coming from the engine, which left him with burned hairs on his left arm, no medical treatment was needed. The contact stated there was a cop parked nearby who came to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was called to make sure the fire was extinguished. The contact did not recall filling out a fire department report. A police report was filed, however the contact did not have the information available. The insurance company towed the vehicle and deemed it totaled. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23v652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in that recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also confirmed there was nothing they could do because the vehicle was not included in that recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at approximately 30 MPH as the battery and alternator warning lights illuminated. Another driver then alerted the contact that the vehicle had caught fire under the hood. The contact merged to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact mentioned that a third of the vehicle had been engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact sustained injuries to her knee from the door while attempting to exit during the incident. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed totaled by the insurance agency. A fire report was filed but there was no police report filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hyraulic) however the recall remedy was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. VIN Tool Confirms Parts Not Available.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 50 ABOUT 20 MILES FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 55 MPH. STEAM/SMOKE FROM COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OTHER MOTORIST TRAVELING WEST BOUND STARTED HONKING AND POINTING TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING IS WHEN WE REALIZED THE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE. AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THAT CAR CAUSING 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE BACK CALF ON MY LEFT LEG. THE CAR WAS IN TOTALLY IN FLAMES WITHIN 5 TO 10 MINS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH REAR PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, WHICH FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL FOR A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. JENKINS KIA OF GAINESVILLE (3345 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609, (855) 764-9404) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE DATA FROM THE BLACK BOX IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL- I HAD JUST STOPPED TURNED A CORNER AND THEN VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FRONT GATE. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG AND KNEE INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V626000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 106,927.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.