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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
55about this part
Share
6%of 880 total for the year
Median mileage
33,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Kia Sorento, 6% of the 880 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“Following an oil change and multi-point inspection, the service department customer advisor informed me that the Kia technician reported that the right front axle on my Kia 2012 Sorento is leaking and loosing grease and needed to be replaced. Furthermore, she told me that this problem tended to occur after a number of miles had been incurred on Kia sorentos.”

NHTSA complaint #11240336, filed 2019-07, 102,653 miles

“The vehicle grossly lost power and came to a near stop which almost caused collision with vehicles traveling at speed limit behind me. While traveling normally at the posted 55 MPH speed the vehicle slowed immediately to nearly moving. This happened multiple times which I reported to the Kia dealer each time. The dealer did not correctly diagnose the problem until after the third report.”

NHTSA complaint #10887898, filed 2016-07, 6,000 miles

“Driving on the interstate or in town, I lose all power with no warning other than a jerk that feels like I have been hit in the rear. Then it goes dead. I crank it back up and it runs for a while then repeats. I took to Kia dealership and left it today, but they are saying it is not part of a recall, after Kia corp. Told my father last week that it was a recall on the power train control module. It is there now to be checked 1st thing in the morning.”

NHTSA complaint #11241882, filed 2019-08, 165,000 miles

“Car can shift out of park without breaks being engaged. I can move my gear shift into reverse or drive without pushing my break. This includes with my car running or not.”

NHTSA complaint #11114995, filed 2018-07, 120,000 miles

“I was starting off from stop sign and felt and heard a loud thud from the engine area. Immediately the 2012 Sorento lost power and would not shift. It would continue to move at about 5 MPH. The engine did not stop. I stopped the vehicle and restarted but with the same symptoms. Being very close to the dealer, I took it in. The sales dept has agreed to find another vehicle and replace this one. I'm not so sure...”

NHTSA complaint #10422390, filed 2011-08, 125 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232218%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sorento

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