2012 Kia Sorento Technical Service Bulletins

233 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2012 Kia Sorento. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10115242Jul 26, 2017Engine cooling. WARRANTY BULLETIN: 2017-09.R4 - SC147 Claims Processing Procedures - This Warranty Bulletin accompanies TSB SC147 Theta II Engine Inspection and/or Replacement and is provided to dealers for specific guidance with claim administration and processing of SC147 warranty claims.
• 10115238Jul 14, 2017Engine cooling. PARTS BULLLETIN: 20201-0002 (Revision 3.1) - This bulletin provides information related to the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the engine assembly on certain 2011 to 2014 model year Optima, Sorento, and Sportage vehicles.
• 10115244Jul 10, 2017Engine cooling. Customer satisfaction bulletin 2016-06 - retired. See warranty bulletin 2017-09 (sc147).
• 10116101Jun 27, 2017Electrical system. PITSTOP: TPMS SENSOR POSITION - When diagnosing TPMS-related DTCs, make sure you are investigating the correct sensor. The TPMS positioning from the manufacturer may be different from the positioning shown on a KDS.
• 10109848May 15, 2017Brakes, Wheels, Electronic stability control. TSB: REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HOUSING COVER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC148) - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to inspect, clean and seal or, if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor (WSS) housing covers on certain 2011-2015MY 2WD Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from October 24, 2009 through April 30, 2014, originally retailed and/or currently registered in the…
• 10109873May 12, 2017Exterior lighting, Electrical system. TSB: SC149R1 - HALOGEN HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT (SC149) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on some 2011-2012MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a low beam bulb in one of the…
• 10109846May 12, 2017Wheels, Brakes. SC148OWNER - OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER -Notifying owners that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011-2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina…
• 10109847May 9, 2017Equipment. Sc148qa - campaign question and answers regarding sc148qa
• 10109845May 9, 2017Wheels, Brakes. SC148DPSM - DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011 - 2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North…
• 10109844May 9, 2017Brakes, Wheels. SC148DP - DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011 - 2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South…
• 10109871May 5, 2017Equipment. Sc149owner - owner notification letter regarding sc149.
• 10109872May 3, 2017Equipment. Sc149qa -campaign question and answer regarding sc149.
• 10109870May 3, 2017Exterior lighting, Electrical system. SC149DPSM - DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer parts and service managers of a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on certain 2012 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a…
• 10109869May 3, 2017Exterior lighting, Electrical system. SC149DP - DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on certain 2012 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a low beam bulb in one of the…
• 10109835Apr 21, 2017Equipment. TSB: A/C EVAPORATOR FREEZE-UP DURING EXTENDED DRIVE - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the evaporator temperature sensor of some 2011-2014MY Optima (TF/QF) and 2011-2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles ONLY (see production dates on Page 3), which may experience freezing of condensation on the evaporator core and the following A/C performance related concerns below. Do NOT refer to this bulletin or the…
• 10109855Mar 21, 2017Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessively fogged. Depending on the specific model, the HVAC control head monitors ambient temperature and/or cabin humidity to determine which settings will best prevent the windows from fogging.
• 10109817Feb 28, 2017Body and structure. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of…
• 10109812Jan 18, 2017Equipment. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking…
• 10109878Dec 8, 2016Body and structure. SC141 - SORENTO OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Sorento Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
• 10109874Dec 6, 2016Body and structure. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of…
• 10109877Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. Questions and answers for voluntary service campaign sc141 ? Underbody ? Additional anti-corrosion treatment
• 10109876Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally retailed…
• 10109875Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally…
• 10109774Nov 15, 2016Engine, Electrical system. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY…
• 10109777Nov 4, 2016Equipment, Latches, locks and linkages. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
• 10109788Oct 31, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. TSB: INHIBITOR SWITCH DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION - This bulletin gives information regarding the steps to take regarding the diagnosis of the Inhibitor Switch.
• 10109683Oct 11, 2016Engine, Electrical system. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY…
• 10090945Sep 30, 2016Equipment. Pitstop: hvac receiver/dryer - desiccant replacement - in the event of a hvac system concern in which metal particles or shards have contaminated the system, the desiccant or the entire a/c receiver/dryer assembly may need to be replaced. This is due to the fact that it may be impossible to remove all metal contaminants from the receiver/dryer during the a/c flushing procedure. Refer to the included table for…
• 10090120Aug 29, 2016Engine, Equipment. Owner letter: wty008 - 2012-2014 my sorento 2.4l gdi engine warranty extension - dear kia sorento vehicle owner: kia motors america takes pride in providing you with high quality and dependable vehicles. In order to maintain these standards, kia is extending the warranty coverage, to all owners, for the engine’s “short block” assembly on 2012-2014 my sorento 2.4l gdi engine to 10 years starting from the date of…
• 10090119Aug 29, 2016Equipment, Engine. Request for reimbursement form: wty008 - 2012-2014 my sorento 2.4l gdi engine warranty extension program - if you have paid to have your engine repaired/replaced due to connecting rod failure, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of that expense. Mail this completed request for reimbursement form to kia, along with documentation specified below, for review and consideration to the following…
• 10090117Aug 29, 2016Engine, Equipment. Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty008 - 2012-2014 my sorento 2.4l gdi engine - effective immediately, kia motors america, inc.
• 10094565Jun 22, 2016Air bags. Warranty bulletin: wty003 - 2011-2015 my sorento driver's front airbag clock spring assembly warranty extension (wty003) - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly on the 2011-2015 my sorento vehicles, manufactured from 10/24/2009 through 12/17/2014. The clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain…
• 10094570Jun 18, 2016Air bags. Owner letter: wty003 - dear kia sorento owner: kia is extending the warranty coverage for the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly to 15 years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date of first service. The clockspring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain proper functioning of the airbag unit.
• 10094571Jun 17, 2016Air bags. Q and a: wty003 - 2011-2015 my sorento driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly kia new vehicle limited warranty extension q & a
• 10094569Jun 17, 2016Air bags. Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty003 - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty coverage for the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly on the 2011-2015 my sorento vehicles, manufactured from 10/24/2009 through 12/17/2014, to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date of first service. The clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel…
• 10094568Jun 17, 2016Air bags. Request for reimbursement form: wty003 - if you have paid to have the airbag clock spring assembly replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of that expense. Mail this completed request for reimbursement form to kia, along with documentation specified below, for review and consideration at the following address: consumer assistance center, kia motors america, inc., p.o. Box 52410, irvine, ca…
• 10094567Jun 17, 2016Air bags. Dealer principal memo: wty003 - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty coverage for the driver’s front airbag clock spring assembly on 2011-2015 my sorento vehicles, manufactured from 10/24/2009 through 12/17/2014, to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date of first service. The clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain proper…
• 10089307Jun 17, 2016Electrical system, Air bags. Tsb: airbag warning light on - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the clock spring assembly on 2011my – 2015my sorento (xma) vehicles. If the airbag warning light is on with any of the dtcs listed below, follow the procedure outlined to resolve the issue.
• 10183431Apr 4, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones.
• 10080084Jan 29, 2016Back-over prevention (rear camera). Tsb: rear view camera diagnosis/replacement - this bulletin provides information to diagnose and/or replace the rear view camera of some kia vehicles (see table on pg. 6 for specific models and production dates) which may exhibit inadequate image quality from the rear view camera. Diagnose the concerns using the information in this bulletin and, if necessary, replace the rear view camera with an improved part by…
• 10088983Oct 19, 2015Electrical system. Tsb: kds - audio update module (aum) - the gds audio update module (aum) was introduced in fourth quarter of 2013. This special service tool (sst) was developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of updating 2010my, and later, kia audio head units using a gds, and now, the same functionality is available on kds. Some technicians may not be aware of the benefits the aum tool has to offer.
• 10089353Aug 21, 2015Wheels. Tsb: 2wd hub/rear wheel speed sensor replacement - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the rear wheel hubs of some of sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from job #1 through april 4th, 2012, which may experience a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) (c1206 ~ c1211) due to possible water intrusion into the rear wheel speed sensor.
• 10116821Aug 12, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - Identifying Head Unit Software Version For Direct Exchange (ELE091) (Rev 1) - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the Direct Exchange Program (see Parts Bulletin 91-961-0005).
• 10089382Aug 3, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: 6-spd. A/t adaptive value reset /relearn - this bulletin provides the procedures necessary to reset and relearn the adaptive values after transmission replacement or reprogramming/replacement of the pcm/tcm. After the adaptive values are reset, the transmission computer adaptive values must be relearned by driving in a precise manner to “teach” the computer the proper solenoid duty and line pressure for the…
• 10092132Jun 26, 2015Electrical system, Equipment. Tsb: navigation head unit sd card replacement - this bulletin describes the sd card exchange/replacement procedure related to error messages that may be displayed on the navigation screen when the incorrect sd card is inserted. Note: only new models (during pdi inspection or at the point of purchase) or compatibility mismatches that occur after head unit replacement will be considered for this program.
• 10089742Jun 26, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. Tsb: navigation head unit sd card replacement - this bulletin describes the sd card exchange/replacement procedure related to error messages that may be displayed on the navigation screen when the incorrect sd card is inserted. Note: only new models (during pdi inspection or at the point of purchase) or compatibility mismatches that occur after head unit replacement will be considered for this program.
• 10092136Jun 19, 2015Seats. Tsb: second row seat inoperative or difficult to release - this bulletin provides information related to some 2011-2013my sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from october 26, 2009 to november 5, 2012, which may exhibit a concern related to the second row seats being inoperative or difficult to release. It is important to note that some amount of effort is required to fold the 2nd row seats. To correct this condition…
• 10089743Jun 19, 2015Seats. Tsb: second row seat inoperative or difficult to release - this bulletin provides information related to some 2011-2013my sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from october 26, 2009 to november 5, 2012, which may exhibit a concern related to the second row seats being inoperative or difficult to release. It is important to note that some amount of effort is required to fold the 2nd row seats. To correct this condition…
• 10092142Jun 12, 2015Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. Tsb: driver’s side power window motor replacement - this bulletin provides information related to some sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from january 28, 2010 through may 16, 2011, which may exhibit an inoperable driver’s side window. To correct this concern, replace the power window motor by following the service procedure outlined in this bulletin.
• 10089746Jun 12, 2015Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. Tsb: driver’s side power window motor replacement - this bulletin provides information related to some sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from january 28, 2010 through may 16, 2011, which may exhibit an inoperable driver’s side window. To correct this concern, replace the power window motor by following the service procedure outlined in this bulletin.

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