The Lemon Index2012 Kia Sorento.
The 2012 Kia Sorento is better than average by owner complaints: 148 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 20 to 24 mpg combined. The best Kia Sorento year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 880 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Sorento year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 118K miles on the car (600 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 68K–123K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 34K–112K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 77K–116K miles
Recalls 5
- brakes 2023
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- engine 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- engine 2017
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
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 b…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to design of drain holes in valley of lambda v6 engines, a misdiagnose of a possible oil…
- Information regarding installing an inhibitor switch bracket on inhibitor switch due to an uneven
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving the vehicle on two separate occasions the vehicle has either stalled with a total loss of steering, brakes and acceleration or with the engine still running a total loss of steering, brakes and acceleration.
2012 Kia Sorento owner · NHTSA complaint 10586772
More owner reports
When I am slowing down to around 20 mph, the car completely shuts down. No power, at all.
NHTSA complaint 10532979
While driving home from work traffic was heavy and for no reason my car just stalled I managed to coast to the shoulder put it in park and restart it .
NHTSA complaint 10556012
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sorento year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2012 Kia Sorento problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), electrical (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Sorento have?
5 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Sorento get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,100 and 118,000 miles. The middle report was at 90,000 miles, from 600 complaints.
Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Kia Sorento cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Kia Sorento have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sorento year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works