5 NHTSA safety recalls cover the 2012 Kia Sorento. 1 carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Owners have filed 880 complaints with NHTSA about this model year. Every recall repair is free at any Kia dealer.
Is yours affected? Recalls cover ranges of VINs, not every 2012 Kia Sorento. Check your Sorento by VIN and confirm open recalls at NHTSA.gov.
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Owners filed 880 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento, reporting 21 crashes, 77 fires, 36 injuries. Kia has issued at least 233 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 10 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
Owners have filed 880 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“While driving I smelled gas, a few minutes later I saw smoke coming from the hood of the car. I stopped, turned the car off, got my dog, exited the car, which then exploded into flames. I saw that I was not safe the minute I saw the smoke.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763890
“On June 6, 2026, while driving home, the vehicle suddenly began smelling strongly of gasoline and burnt rubber. Within seconds, thick black smoke became visible in the side mirrors, followed immediately by white smoke pouring from the front hood and into the passenger cabin through the air vents.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11744052
“The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact's spouse stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11736289
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the post office; after 3 to 4 minutes, she was alerted by a consumer that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact noticed fire emerging from the undercarriage.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11717233
“The check engine light came on 12/29 and was driven approximately 50 miles. On Jan 3, 2026 vehicle was driven app. 5 miles and left parked at a friends.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11708690
Search the official database: NHTSA. Excerpts are quoted from the public record, shortened at a sentence and with personal details removed.
Not every 2012 Kia Sorento is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.