Is the 2012 Kia Sorento a bad year?
879 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 475, 9.1× a quiet Sorento year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Kia Sorento were filed between 72k and 125k miles. You're at 100,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Sorento owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 100,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 475 (54%) | 72k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 102 (12%) | 43k–129k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 60 (7%) | 70k–123k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 127 (14%) | 38k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 81 (9%) | 80k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 55 (6%) | 13k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 39 (4%) | 76k–142k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 22 (3%) | 13k–100k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 20 (2%) | 5k–102k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seats | 15 (2%) | 44k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 11 (1%) | 52k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 35 (4%) | 49k–93k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 29 (3%) | 14k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 28 (3%) | 30k–76k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 100,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 879 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 77 mention a fire · 22 report an injury · 76 say the car was towed.
23 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car never gave a warning that anything was wrong, took it to get regular oil changes as needed and suddenly in traffic while moving forward, the car began bucking and jumping, the noise sounded like a cluck.
The vehicle was being driven down the highway and it began knocking. It was pulled over almost immediately (Within a mile).
On may 6th, 2016 I was driving to work (Back roads with a speed limit of 55 or less), just a few miles from my place of employment when I heard a ticking/clicking type of noise.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 100,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Kia Sorento: 5
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 164
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Kia Sorento. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z)
AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive…
Injector harness routing for PI1802Y/Z and PI1803Y/Z engine replacements
Product improvement campaign PI1803_TSB_R6: knock sensor detection system ECU logic improvement (PI1803)
NHTSA defect investigations: 10
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Headlight Failure
Neighbouring years
2011 Sorento: 1,519 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2013 Sorento: 984 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Sorento year
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Questions
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento a bad year?
879 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 475, 9.1× a quiet Sorento year. At 100,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Kia Sorento were filed between 72k and 125k miles. You're at 100,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Sorento?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (475), brakes (102), exterior lighting (60), electrical system (127), air bags (81). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 72k–125k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Sorento have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-652), Engine (NHTSA 20V-750), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-907), Engine (NHTSA 17V-224) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.