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SuspensionPart report

2012 Kia Sorento Suspension Problems

Complaints
22about this part
Share
3%of 880 total for the year
Median mileage
64,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 3% of the 880 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“The ball bearings went out on the front end causing both my front tires to wear right down to the wires on the tire treads. Within a few weeks of fixing them the engine seized in my car for the second time. While my 16 year old was driving it on the highway she sudden lost power and the vehicle started to slow down. She pulled off the road and had her brother take over driving it. He could not get it to speed or to shift so he put it in manual to get it off the highway. Once off the highway he called me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11246586, filed 2019-08, 97,000 miles

“I recently had struts replaced due to normal wear and was informed there was an issue with a fracture in the right front axle. I was further told it may be a recall. Well after research I was told it waa for 2014 but it is the exact same issue on my vehicle. I was advised to submit this for review to see if this recall of the 2014 front axle should be extended to more years as my issue is the exact same thing. It does make loud noise at mild turns. The mechanic stated it will only get worse as the fracture progresses. …”

NHTSA complaint #11228981, filed 2019-07, 136,000 miles

“When going over speed bumps, my car sounded like a tin can particularly when cold outside. Thought it could be shock absorbers. A local car repair place replaced strut mounts, brake pads and new shocks at a cost over $3000. After paying for this, my car made the same sound which I captured on video. I did some research and found numerous other complaints about suspension system on this model Kia Sorento. I provided this information to repair shop and returned for proper fix. They discovered a technical service bulletin for this car #sa178. …”

NHTSA complaint #11208930, filed 2019-05, 90,000 miles

“My 2012 Kia Sorento at low speed,stalled and completely shut off, no power steering. I had to put my car into park and then restart. So glad I was not hit from behind as my car just shut off so suddenly. My car is only two years old and low mileage. It has happened twice since then. Thank god no accidents, yet. But im worried to drive it anticipating for it to happen again. It has been in the Kia service shop twice and they are claiming to fix it. Also two weeks ago the right shock needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10573777, filed 2014-03, 23,000 miles

“While driving approximately 35 miles per hour on a paved city road, the driver's side front wheel caved into the vehicle (detached from the vehicle). The vehicle had never been in an accident nor hit any significant holes. The incident was spontaneous without any apparent cause. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealer, who found that the bottom bolt of the strut had broken and fallen out.”

NHTSA complaint #10927249, filed 2016-11, 23,072 miles

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202232%
202021%
201920%
201720%
2016121%
201541%
2014162%
2013111%
2012223%
2011564%
200863%
200732%
2006104%
2005258%
20043014%
2003176%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sorento

Engine
461 complaints
Electrical system
127 complaints
Brakes
103 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
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