How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Kia Sorento?

NHTSA lists 55 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento, which is 6% of the 880 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sorento transmission?

Yes. Recall 15V626000 covers model year 2011-2013 Sorento vehicles built between October 19, 2009, and January 31, 2013, addressing a brake-shift interlock mechanism that could let the vehicle shift out of park with excessive force on the gear lever. Kia's remedy was to replace the mechanism free of charge.

At what mileage do 2012 Sorento transmission problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Sorento is 33,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.

Were there crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?

NHTSA records 6 crashes and 4 injuries associated with the 55 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Sorento, with no fires reported.

How does 2012 compare to other Sorento years for this problem area?

The 2012 Sorento's 6% share of complaints in this area is lower than 2011 (17%), 2021 (55%), and 2022 (34%), based on NHTSA's model-year breakdown.

2012 Kia Sorento Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 55 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento, 6% of the 880 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 33,000. There is a related recall (15V626000) for a brake-shift interlock defect that let vehicles roll away when shifted with excessive force.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 55; 6% of 880
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 4
Median mileage: 33,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report the vehicle rolling away or shifting out of park on its own while parked, sometimes on an incline, leading to crashes into homes, gates, or pedestrians.
Some describe the shifter allowing movement from park to neutral or reverse without the key in the ignition or without the brake pedal pressed, including cases where children were able to move the gear shift.
Several report sudden loss of power or the vehicle refusing to accelerate at highway speed, then restarting normally after being pulled over.
Others describe the automatic transmission failing to shift properly, with RPMs climbing as high as 4000 while the car stays in the same gear, forcing manual shifting.
A few report the engine or drivetrain stalling completely while slowing down around 20 mph, with no power response.
One owner reported a transmission replacement after the vehicle stopped moving while driving uphill.

When 2012 Kia Sorento transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 4, 2011, latest Jan 8, 2026.

55 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2011 to Jan 2026; peak Dec 2015 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Kia Sorento

NHTSA 15V626000Oct 6, 2015Transmission & Powertrain377,062 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. 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 being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sorento model year

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

20100 (0%)
2011265 (17%)
201255 (6%)
201369 (7%)
201471 (7%)
201542 (6%)
2016125 (10%)
201737 (5%)
20189 (4%)
201951 (12%)
202018 (13%)
2021137 (55%)
202264 (34%)
202320 (17%)
20244 (10%)
202519 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Kia Sorento?: NHTSA lists 55 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sorento, which is 6% of the 880 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sorento transmission?: Yes. Recall 15V626000 covers model year 2011-2013 Sorento vehicles built between October 19, 2009, and January 31, 2013, addressing a brake-shift interlock mechanism that could let the vehicle shift out of park with excessive force on the gear lever. Kia's remedy was to replace the mechanism free of charge.
At what mileage do 2012 Sorento transmission problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Sorento is 33,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Were there crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?: NHTSA records 6 crashes and 4 injuries associated with the 55 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Sorento, with no fires reported.
How does 2012 compare to other Sorento years for this problem area?: The 2012 Sorento's 6% share of complaints in this area is lower than 2011 (17%), 2021 (55%), and 2022 (34%), based on NHTSA's model-year breakdown.