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2012 Kia Sorento recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2012 Kia Sorento. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

One of these recalls carries a manufacturer safety advisory to stop driving or to park outside until repaired. See below.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2012 Kia Sorento recalls, newest first

September 25, 2023NHTSA 23V6520001,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

  • Park outside until repaired
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 2, 2020NHTSA 20V750000294,756 vehicles potentially affected

Engine

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 19, 2018NHTSA 18V90700071,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Components
Engine; Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 31, 2017NHTSA 17V224000618,160 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 6, 2015NHTSA 15V626000377,062 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission

Summary
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."
Consequence
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 879 complaints about the 2012 Kia Sorento with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
77
Injuries reported
36
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Engine461
  2. Electrical system127
  3. Service brakes105
  4. Air bags81
  5. Unknown or other81

Other Kia Sorento years

Other 2012 Kia models

Most recalled 2012 vehicles

  1. 2012 Blue Bird All American (30 recalls)
  2. 2012 Spartan Gladiator (24 recalls)
  3. 2012 IC Bus CE (22 recalls)
  4. 2012 Freightliner Cascadia (19 recalls)
  5. 2012 Blue Bird Vision (19 recalls)
All of 2012’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, engine, fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2012 Kia Sorento recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Sorento?
879 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.