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BrakesPart report

2012 Kia Sorento Brakes Problems

Complaints
103about this part
Share
12%of 880 total for the year
Median mileage
85,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 103 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 12% of the 880 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Takata recall my transmission is making a noise when I bringing it to a stop and my tires start going to the left also it has no transmission or motor light flashing but I can feel thats theres something wrong also when I park it moves a little I have to make sure the emergency brake is on so that it wont bounce into gear and move and cause an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11098245, filed 2018-05, 75,000 miles

“Driving to work this past tuesday 12/24/2019, while driving my car did this jerk move and then all the electrical signs popped up I couldn't brake or steer my stirring wheel .its as if my car locked up on me. Luckily I was able to turn off a side road avoiding on coming traffic. And but the car in park. I was stuck for 2 hours. My check engine light was the only light that stayed on. I couldn't start the car at all. Luckily I called my cousin to see if she could try and give me a jump too see if it worked. …”

NHTSA complaint #11291222, filed 2019-12, 106,000 miles

“Can not move shifter out of park when car is started. Can not shift car out of selected gear when motor is running. Esc lite is illuminated on dashboard and brake lites do not function when these defects occur. Symptons experienced are the same as described in NHTSA campaign 13v114000. Kia dealer replaced brake lite switch-says SUV does not fall within population of vehicles identified under Kia sc098 recall. I am of the opinion my SUV should have been covered under this Kia recall and I should have not been charged for the repairs. …”

NHTSA complaint #10972331, filed 2017-04, 50,222 miles

“As I was driving downhill on I-15 just 3 miles south of scipio, ut, I began to notice issues with the brakes and accelerator. I got into the far right line of the highway and noticed that smoke and flames came from underneath the hood. As I put the car in park, thick black smoke came through the air vent. As we got out of the vehicle, I breathed in a little bit of the thick smoke that came through the air vent, but my wife did not breathe any of the smoke. The hood area was completely engulfed in flames after we escaped from the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11012531, filed 2017-08, 68,000 miles

“I purchased this vehicle used on 3-25-15 with a full factory warranty. After driving the vehicle for a few days my wife and I both noticed the brake peddle drifting to the floor while stopped and the vehicle would start to crawl forward. During long stoplights the brake peddle will slowly drift to the floor and has to be pumped up. I have taken this to the Kia dealer twice and the first time was treated like I was an idiot they did a cursory inspection and said there was nothing found and returned the vehicle to me. …”

NHTSA complaint #10726468, filed 2015-06, 30,988 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026233%
202568%
2024614%
20231210%
2022189%
202121%
202054%
2019143%
201883%
2017233%
2016242%
2015375%
2014849%
2013889%
201210312%
20111329%
2009815%
20082712%
20072416%
20062611%
2005145%
2004115%
2003248%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sorento

Engine
461 complaints
Electrical system
127 complaints
Other or unknown
84 complaints
Air bags
81 complaints
Exterior lighting
60 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
55 complaints
Fuel system
39 complaints
Body and structure
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Steering
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology