kia Sorento problems
0 safety recalls. 872 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that her son had reported that the vehicle was losing motive power and had failed to exceed 15 MPH while driving. The check engine warning illuminated. The contact advised the driver to pull over and to stop the vehicle.…
Driving on the highway, engine began to tick and make strange noise, engine light flashed, oil light cam on and engine ceased.
Brackets associated with the rear axle rusted and cracked. Became unable to drive safely. Back wheels started going crooked(top was inward and bottom was outward)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SNOW STORM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED FOR A TOW AND A NEW BATTERY WAS BOUGHT AND THE OLD ONE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 872 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Kia Sorento has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Kia Sorento?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 343 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Sorento has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Kia Sorento?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 872 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.