2012 Kia Sorento electrical system problems
127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2012 Kia Sorento — 14% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Feb 14, 2026
“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…”
filed Mar 6, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Electrical System problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 18 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 10 | 28% |
| 2023 Sorento | 35 | 32% |
| 2022 Sorento | 28 | 15% |
| 2021 Sorento | 45 | 19% |
| 2020 Sorento | 19 | 15% |
| 2019 Sorento | 67 | 16% |
| 2018 Sorento | 29 | 12% |
| 2017 Sorento | 93 | 12% |
| 2016 Sorento | 106 | 9% |
| 2015 Sorento | 57 | 8% |
| 2014 Sorento | 152 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.