2012 KIA Sorento Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2012 KIA Sorento, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 71,329 miles. The words owners use most often: “caught fire” (6% of reports).
- 127electrical system complaints
- 71,329median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Caught fire: mentioned in 8 of 127 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 75 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 127 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 2 an injury.
KIA Sorento electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Sorento | 22 | 29% | 15,000 |
| 2024 Sorento | 11 | 26% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 37 | 30% | 2,000 |
| 2022 Sorento | 31 | 16% | 32,500 |
| 2021 Sorento | 47 | 19% | 34,256 |
| 2020 Sorento | 20 | 15% | 60,594 |
| 2019 Sorento | 68 | 16% | 18,000 |
| 2018 Sorento | 30 | 12% | 33,000 |
| 2017 Sorento | 96 | 12% | 59,000 |
| 2016 Sorento | 107 | 9% | 51,747 |
| 2015 Sorento | 58 | 8% | 69,027 |
| 2014 Sorento | 153 | 15% | 66,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 116 | 12% | 74,500 |
| 2012 Sorento | 127 | 14% | 71,329 |
| 2011 Sorento | 246 | 16% | 88,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 14 | 25% | 66,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 32 | 15% | 63,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 21 | 14% | 115,167 |
| 2006 Sorento | 53 | 22% | 78,050 |
| 2005 Sorento | 49 | 16% | 67,625 |
| 2004 Sorento | 28 | 13% | 96,200 |
| 2003 Sorento | 29 | 10% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists electrical system for the 2012 KIA Sorento. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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 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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 KIA Sorentos have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 127 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2012 KIA Sorento (14% of the 880 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 KIA Sorento electrical system?
No recall currently lists electrical system for this vehicle.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 71,329 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2012 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “caught fire”, in 8 of 127 complaints.
Other 2012 KIA Sorento problems
See all 2012 KIA Sorento problems or electrical system problems across all Sorento years.