2012 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
Engine complaints account for 490 of 880 total complaints (56%) filed on the 2012 Kia Sorento, with a median failure mileage of 98,000. NHTSA lists three related engine recalls covering bearing wear, fuel pipe issues, and engine compartment fires.
- Engine complaints
- 490
- 56% of 880
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 55
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 98,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine seizes or throws a rod suddenly while driving at highway speed, often preceded by a loud bang or popping noise.
- Engine compartment catches fire after a loss of power, sometimes with smoke or flames visible from under the hood while driving.
- Owners report smelling gas or noticing smoke before a fire starts, in some cases after the engine had already been replaced once.
- Sudden stall or loss of power while exiting a freeway or driving uphill, occasionally leading to loss of braking or steering control.
- Check engine and oil warning lights illuminate at the same time as knocking or popping sounds, right before the engine fails.
When 2012 Kia Sorento engine complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 4, 2011, latest Jul 29, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Kia Sorento
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V224000Mar 31, 2017Engine618,160 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: 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.
Engine complaints by Sorento model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems on the 2012 Kia Sorento?
- NHTSA lists 490 engine complaints for the 2012 Sorento, which is 56% of the 880 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sorento engine?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recalls: campaign 17V224000 for machining errors causing premature bearing wear, campaign 18V907000 for a fuel pipe inspection tied to prior engine replacements, and campaign 20V750000 for engine compartment fire risk.
- At what mileage do 2012 Sorento engines typically fail?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints is 98,000 miles.
- Do engine failures on the 2012 Sorento cause fires?
- NHTSA data shows 55 fire incidents and 10 injuries tied to complaints on this model year, with several sample complaints describing engine fires after a sudden loss of power.