My kia Sorento shocks are really bad seems like it bounces Alot More than normal and heard a squeak coming from the shocks also hard to get the to turn when Im park and electric seems to glitch with bulbs going out faster and radio acting like it shorting out since the wiring was replaced it does this
2012 Kia Sorento electrical problems
127 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 71,329. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 127
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 71,329
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Sorento electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Kia Sorento electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines used in the above-mentioned vehicles.As a result of this PE, Kia has issued the federal safety agency Recalls 20V‑750 and 21V‑844 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain Kia vehicles equipped with various engine types.Additional information on these and other related recall actions is available in the downloadable version of this resume available at addition, ODI has upgraded this PE to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 which will focus on potential recall scope concerns and recall remedy concerns related to the engine failure-related recalls mentioned above and conducted previously.See the EA21-003 Opening Resume available at for more information.Also available in the downloadable version of this resume is a list of the reference numbers for the 444 ODI reports, or Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), cited above which ODI received through mid-November 2021.Note that the Manufacturer reports cited above are customer complaints received through March 2019.
PE19004
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to the federal safety agency regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had already opened Recall Queries (RQ17-003 and RQ17-004) on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II engines for engine failures that may cause stalling and fires.The queries cover most of the petition subject Optima, Sorento, Sonata, and Santa Fe vehicles but not any of the subject Soul vehicles.On August 21, 2018, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP18-003) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the CAS petition. ODI sent Information Request letters to Kia and Hyundai (September and October 2018) requesting information on all engine and non-engine related fires in the petition vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Kia and Hyundai. During the DP18-003 analysis, Kia and Hyundai each initiated three additional safety recalls related to engine compartment fires on certain petitioned and non-petitioned vehicles (nearly 740,000 total vehicles: Recalls 18V‑907, 18V‑934, 19V‑101, 19V‑063, 19V‑120, and 19V‑204). Based on ODI?s review of the applicable materials, including responses to Information Requests sent to multiple manufacturers, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ), and Early Warning Data, the federal safety agency decided to grant the petition.The CAS petition was granted on March 29, 2019. Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) have been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of alleged defects relating to non-collision vehicle fires in the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, and 2010-2015 Kia Soul.Attached is a list of the reference numbers for the 404 VOQs cited above.
DP18003
What 2012 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The downhill break control (DBC) and the traction control system is is engaged and eliminated in the dash. It causes smoke or steam to come from under the hood after it is driven. This is the second time this issue has happened. I spent over $3,000 and six months getting this fixed last time. If there is not a recall on these things it should be recalled and fixed without me having to pay for it again. I believe it should have been covered the first time it happened.
There is a recall on my vehicle. I received my first letter in May2024. I took it to dealership and they ran test but said they couldnt fix the recall bc Kia hasn't sent them the remedy so they sent us home. I called Kia customer service and they said when remedy is ready I'll get another letter. I just got that letter a few days ago and called dealership (Superior kia Orangeburg SC). They will fix recall but trying to charge me for testing again claiming it's because recall wasn't fixed last time I brought it in..this was not my fault and they sent me home saying they were unable to fix at the time. This is a recall and I'm not supposed to be charged. They refuse to fix recall unless I pay them.
On August 23rd 2024, I drove this vehicle all day. But, upon reaching our final destination (ER department entrance) smoke began rolling out from under the hood. Once getting out to inspection the vehicle someone hollered for a extinguisher. I turned to look at the vehicle and I could see underneath of the 2012 kia sorento had flames. My son was still in the car so my mother and I ran to get him out of his rear facing carseat and ran away from the vehicle. At this time the vehicle still had a fire that went out with extinguisher but quickly light back up. After this the whole are and car filled with smoke. Fire department was called and this took them awhile to fully extinguish the fire. This could have hurt myself, my child, and my mother. I lost alot of valuable things including my son's new carseat, my children's double stroller, a tablet, clothing, etc. I have called Kia as I found out there was a recall that kia has none about and started sending notices out November 14th 2023. My vehicle sat at a kia dealership from January to March 6th and if this recall was so drastic such as a car fire why was this not taken car of when my vehicle sat for 2 months. I have a call into Kia as of Monday August 26th 2024. I am still waiting for a rep to be assigned my claim and to speak to them. As of Today August 28th 2024 Noone has reached out to me.
While driving, the RPMS go to zero and the car stops and I lose all power. Yes, it's a safety risk to me and other drivers because it shuts off while driving. Someone following behind me can run into me. Yes, I took it to Ourisman Kia of Catonsville twice - They reproduced it happening the 2nd time I dropped it off after showing them a video of what happens. They said they don't know how to fix it. No, the vehicle was only inspected by the dealer. See video attached regarding warning lamps/messages etc.
My 2012 Kia Sorento has a recall for the motor, and I had taken it to Kia for an inspection and the dealer stated to me that my car does not have a recall on it. Recently my car stalled on the road while I was driving, and it nearly caused an accident because someone behind me had to break suddenly to stop.
While waiting for notification that the remedy part was available for this car, it caught on fire. It caught on fire on 6/20/2024. The car is a total loss and it was a very dangerous situation.
Unknown… This is what happened. I was at a stoplight first car in line. While waiting for the light the car just shut off without warning. It would not go into park, key would not turn, the dashboard was lit up & radio on. I turned on my flashers. I called a tow and kept doing everything to get the car to start after about 15 -20 minutes or so I finally got it to go in park turn the key and it started and the car drove like it never happened. It didn’t make a noise before stopping no warning lights came on or anything.
Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: The electrical problem started with battery power drainage. After two battery replacements, other electrical problems started to occur. Turn signal lights would not work, windows would not open or close, the left headlamp failed, was replaced, but did not work, all warning lights stayed on. Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: The various electrical failures first occurred while driving the vehicle. I was inable to signal to change lanes. Q: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A: No. Q:Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A: Yes. Before the battery drainage issue ocurred, the check engine light and ABS indicator lights began staying on all the time.
The manufacturer of Kia has not resolve the fire issue to the vehicles. The recall has not be looked into or updated since letter in 2022. I’ve asked multiple Kia reps when the recall will be handled and was told there is no remedy. This recall is super dangerous and is a liability when driving on highways or long travel. My car can catch on fire at any time and nothing is being handled to resolve the issue.
Questions about the 2012 Kia Sorento electrical
Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 127 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sorento electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 71,329 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Kia Sorento electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Sorento have the most electrical problems?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most electrical complaints are 2011 (246 complaints), 2014 (154 complaints) and 2012 (127 complaints).
Other 2012 Kia Sorento problems
Engine 475Brakes 103Airbags 81Lights 60Transmission 55Fuel system 39Body 35Acceleration 29Visibility 28Suspension 22Steering 20Driver assistance 18Seats 15Wheels 5Seat belts 4Locks 1Tires 1
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