2012 KIA Sorento problems
Owners have filed 1,206 complaints about the 2012 KIA Sorento with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 38.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 10.5%.
Complaints1,206
Crashes32
Fires117
Injuries59
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 38.2% · 461
Electrical system 10.5% · 127
Unknown or other 6.7% · 81
Air bags 6.6% · 79
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.7% · 69
Exterior lighting 5.0% · 60
Power train 4.6% · 56
Structure 3.1% · 37
Severity
Of those complaints, 32 describe a crash, 117 describe a fire and 59 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 20 model years of the KIA Sorento in this data, 2012 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2011 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 177 in the last three years against 223 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 88,358 miles.
In owners' own words
Driving on a city highway at approx 40mph, engine died, check engine light came on. Lost power steering etc. Coasted to side of road, car would not restart. Had to call towing company to get it to KIA main dealer. Engine had completely seized (spun main bearing). It has had regular maintenance using mobil 1 synthetic oil. Engine was at 111,000 miles and is being replaced under KIA 120k mile extended engine warranty. Engine · reported at 111,000 miles
My son was driving our 2012 KIA Sorento and as he exited the freeway to the service road and approached the intersection which was on an uphill grade, the engine suddenly stalled. He lost braking and steering control on the car. The car rolled backwards into the car behind him and collided with the car resulting in $1,820 damage to the other car. The engine had seized and threw a rod into the vehicle starter. Engine · reported at 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 KIA Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the engine suddenly shut off. The check engine and the check oil sensor lights illuminated. After restarting, the engine shut off a second time. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 58,000. Engine · reported at 58,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…