• September 25, 2023BrakesPark outside

  HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

  NHTSA campaign 23V-652 · 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected · Service brakes, hydraulic

  The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  The remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

• December 2, 2020Engine and cooling

  Engine Damage May Cause Fire

  NHTSA campaign 20V-750 · 294,756 vehicles potentially affected · Engine

  The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

  The risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  The remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

• December 19, 2018Engine and cooling

  High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

  NHTSA campaign 18V-907 · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected · Engine

  The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

  The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  The remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

• March 31, 2017Engine and cooling

  Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure

  NHTSA campaign 17V-224 · 618,160 vehicles potentially affected · Engine and engine cooling

  The defect: Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

  The risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

• October 6, 2015Power train

  Brake-Shift Interlock Mechanism Can Chip or Crack

  NHTSA campaign 15V-626 · 377,062 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

  The defect: 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."

  The 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.

  The 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.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Sorento built in 2012. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Kia Sorento model years

• 2025 3
• 2017 4
• 2015 3
• 2014 6
• 2013 5
• 2011 7

Common questions

Does the 2012 Kia Sorento have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 campaigns for the 2012 Kia Sorento: 23V-652 (HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire); 20V-750 (Engine Damage May Cause Fire); 18V-907 (High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak); 17V-224 (Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure); and 1 more.

How do I know if my 2012 Kia Sorento has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Is it safe to drive the 2012 Kia Sorento?

Campaign 23V-652 carries a “park outside” advisory. If your VIN is included in that campaign, follow the advisory until the repair is done.