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SteeringPart report

2012 Kia Sorento Steering Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
2%of 880 total for the year
Median mileage
34,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 2% of the 880 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“While driving the vehicle on a local road at 35 MPH the engine started making noises, smoking, caught on fire and seized with absolutely no warning and no engine light came on before. My 2012 Kia Sorento was part on manufacturing defect recall related to the engine and it was checked by a Kia service shop for this over a year ago. At that time I asked if the engine malfunction could occur at a later date even though it was fine now. …”

NHTSA complaint #11233839, filed 2019-07, 110,000 miles

“I was driving on the freeway, there was a lot of traffic so we weren't driving very fast, and the car just shut off, the engine light went on and the steering wheel locked. I was able to put on my hazard lights and then I turned the car off and tried restarting it. The car started without any problems and drove normal after that.”

NHTSA complaint #10556621, filed 2013-12, 44,000 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

“I recently purchased a Kia Sorento with 38k miles. When I test drove the vehicle I noticed a distinct pull in the steering and the vehicle would drift in either direction. Since the vehicle still has 20k left on the Kia warranty I went ahead with the purchase. I then took the vehicle into the Kia dealership to have them troubleshoot the problem to which they informed me that the tires were unevenly worn and that they should be replaced. I replaced the tires and the problem persisted. …”

NHTSA complaint #10593841, filed 2014-05, 38,000 miles

“The first time I was driving at 35-45 MPH and slowed to turn and my engine spontaneously stalled and steering wheel locked up. Luckily, no one was around me so I braked, and restarted the engine and car seemed to reboot fine. Today, it happened again except I was driving at a much slower speed, 15 MPH. I was ready to take a turn and the wheel locked up in the turned position (but not fully turned) and the engine stalled. I braked the car again and restarted the engine in the middle of an intersection. …”

NHTSA complaint #10574699, filed 2014-03, 24,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202523%
202425%
202376%
2022105%
202162%
202043%
2019113%
20182610%
20179712%
2016816%
2015334%
2014354%
2013222%
2012202%
2011533%
200852%
200732%
20063314%
20053913%
20042411%
20033110%

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 28, 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