YearToAvoid

2012 Kia Sorento Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 39 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento, 4% of its 880 total complaints, with 11 fires reported and a median failure mileage of 106,000. No related recall is listed in this data, though owners reference a separate engine campaign.

Fuel System complaints
39
4% of 880
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
106,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin or from under the hood, often followed by visible smoke minutes later.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle catching fire while driving at highway speeds, sometimes forcing occupants to pull over and evacuate.
  • Some owners report fires starting after the vehicle was parked and turned off, with flames appearing in the driveway with no one inside.
  • One owner reported a fuel pump-to-fuel-line seal leak that caused gasoline odor and leaking at around 80,000 miles, recurring twice over two years.
  • A few complaints mention the engine losing power or stalling with warning lights before smoke or fire appeared.

When 2012 Kia Sorento fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 20, 2012, latest Sep 13, 2026.

2012 Kia Sorento fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2012Jul 2018Sep 2019Dec 2020Jun 2021Dec 2023Aug 2024
39 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to Sep 2026; peak May 2024 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2012 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200512 (4%)
  2. 200612 (5%)
  3. 20072 (1%)
  4. 20085 (2%)
  5. 20090 (0%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 201119 (1%)
  8. 201239 (4%)
  9. 201338 (4%)
  10. 201450 (5%)
  11. 201531 (4%)
  12. 201656 (4%)
  13. 201749 (6%)
  14. 201813 (5%)
  15. 201928 (7%)
  16. 20209 (7%)
  17. 202124 (10%)
  18. 202214 (7%)
  19. 20236 (5%)
  20. 20242 (5%)
  21. 20254 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have a fuel system recall?
This data lists no related recalls tied to the fuel system complaints category for the 2012 Kia Sorento, though some owners referenced a separate engine campaign in their complaints.
How common are fuel system complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA lists 39 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Sorento, making up 4% of the 880 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for fuel system issues on the 2012 Kia Sorento is 106,000 miles.
Are fires a concern with the 2012 Kia Sorento's fuel system?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 11 fires among the 39 fuel system complaints for the 2012 Sorento, with no crashes or injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.