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SeatsPart report

2012 Kia Sorento Seats Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
2%of 880 total for the year
Median mileage
82,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 2% of the 880 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“On my second row seat, the latch the make the seat recline back and to fold down has broken for the 4th time. When I went to pull the latch it did not move the seat the latch was stuck and then it seemed as tho it is just not catching onto anything to move the seat. My vehicle was parked because I was trying to get my kids into the third row seat.”

NHTSA complaint #10836227, filed 2016-02, 82,000 miles

“My airbag light went off a few months ago. I originally thought is was a short because it went off anytime I moved the passenger seat around. I had my service tech check it a few times, and he reset it. He eventually said I should take it to Kia. They diagnosed it and said the ocs mat was bad. It was the passenger seat occupancy sensor. I was quoted $2601.29 for just the part! They said I needed the whole cushion assembly. This is totally ridiculous. Imo, they should put a backup switch to override this if they're going to put faulty parts in their seats. …”

NHTSA complaint #11121956, filed 2018-08, 142,000 miles

“The ocs (occupant classification sensor) has failed, resulting in the passenger side airbag failing in the off position. The cost to replace is in excess of $2,000... A price that will leave many owners without a functioning passenger side airbag. Kia has extended coverage for other failing airbag components (clock spring), it is odd they would leave their customers exposed by not covering this one.”

NHTSA complaint #11278335, filed 2019-11, 140,000 miles

“Both driver and front passenger seat trim that houses the seat position adjustment knobs are designed poorly and fail under normal use. Once failure occurs trim can move easily which can cause the seat adjustment switches to be engaged causing the seat to move while vehicle is in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #10981539, filed 2017-05, 64,000 miles

“Seat trim on drivers seat breaks allowing seat controls to move seat while vehicle is moving. It can move seat forward or backward without driver doing anything. This trim has broken 4 times with the seat moving twice (2) out of the four (4) times. Kia dealer has replaced trim all four (4) times and acknowledged it is a defect in the trim design, however Kia has not issued a recall. Trim is held on by plastic, as it moves the plastic breaks, allowing seat controls to move against door or floor making seat move. This has occurred on 8/27/11, 06/16/12, 08/04/12 and 11/09/12. …”

NHTSA complaint #10483975, filed 2012-11, 3,259 miles

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202322%
202221%
201941%
201810%
201730%
201660%
201561%
2014111%
2013333%
2012152%
2011211%
200935%
200810%
200711%
200652%
200583%
200410%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sorento

Engine
461 complaintsElectrical system
127 complaintsBrakes
103 complaintsOther or unknown
84 complaintsAir bags
81 complaintsExterior lighting
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSuspension
22 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