CarComplaints.com Notes: As long as catastrophic engine failure at under 60,000 miles is the top owner complaint, it'll be pretty hard to recommend the 2012 Sorento.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,825 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Sorento brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Oct 012023

Sorento

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #17

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 163,847 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning oil odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was adding an excessive amount of oil to the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 163,847. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #16

Jan 082024

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Nine Mile Falls, WA, USA

problem #15

Dec 012022

Sorento

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was jumpstarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to an electrical failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #14

Dec 272022

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced an unstated failure related to the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #13

Sep 292023

Sorento

  • 210,875 miles
The contact owns a 201 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact became aware of fuel burning which caused her legs to sting and itch. The lights on the instrument panel then went dark. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 210,875. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #12

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 142023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 132023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 272023

Sorento

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed a burning odor on the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact drove the vehicle to her place of employment and turned off the vehicle. A coworker checked the engine oil level and discovered that there was no engine oil in the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was not due to have an engine oil change for another month. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Camden, AR, USA

problem #7

Nov 302023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminating off and on for approximately six months. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Harbor City, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 092023

Sorento

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH he observed that the check engine light had illuminated and he was losing forward momentum. The contact pulled off of the road and noticed that smoke was being emitted from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and saw that flames were issuing from under the engine compartment. The contact stated that the fire department and police arrived. The fire was extinguished with water, and no reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact had recently received a recall letter from the manufacturer, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and related the engine compartment fire to the recall. The vehicle manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 282023

Sorento

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while at a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact related the failure to the recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- South Daytona, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 072023

Sorento

  • 114,216 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the MIL warning light, the ABS warning light, the brake warning light, and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and provided a cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,216. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 192012

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles
During slowing, at low speeds, with the foot on the brakes, this vehicle makes loud noises which go away if the foot is taken off the brakes. The noise eventually stops as the vehicle comes to a stop. This Kia Sorento appears to stop normally, but the noise does not instill confidence, nor does the noise sound normal for a vehicle with 6,615 miles.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #2

Nov 252011

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 385 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on a mountainous road at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration. The contact applied the brake pedal, but the pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The vehicle eventually stopped after crashing into a cement wall. The airbag located in the steering wheel did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed and the contact sustained injuries to the head and the entire body. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The insurance declared that the vehicle was destroyed and stated that the air bags and brakes were faulty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 385. Updated 11/20/15

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #1

Dec 212011

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
While coming to stop at intersection or pulling into parking lot space at low speed, I could hear and feel brakes grinding to a complete stop, upon releasing the brake pedal I could hear and feel what I believe to be the calipers grinding as they release. It happens whenever I come to a stop or when I am able to drive forward upon release of the brakes. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle. This noise occurred just after 10000 miles. Before this quiet and smooth braking. On January 11, 2012 I took the vehicle in and service desk person said the service manager would like to test drive the vehicle. I observed the service manager drive out of lot and after about 20 minutes service manager walked back in and talk with service desk person. After three hours of waiting the service desk person informed me the service manager did hear the noise from the brakes and apparently they were in contact with Kia Corp. Thru E-mail concerning this matter to see if the manufacturer will cover the repairs. After a while I was informed by the service desk that Kia has been receiving numerous complaints concerning grinding noise from brakes, and that they are working on the problem, and I would have to wait until then for a solution, also per Kia so said the desk person (vehicle is safe to drive until a solution can be found.) I have lost confidence in this vehicle and feel one day it may not stop at all. I respectfully request a quick review of this matter and hopefully a quick solution.

- Medina, OH, USA

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