| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2012 Kia Sorento repairs by problem area
Engine (16%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (2%)
Suspension and Steering (14%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (33%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (20%)
Other (11%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 132 repairs.
2012 Kia Sorento electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (10%)
$100 - $499 (25%)
< $100 (63%)
Chart based on 40 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 17900 mi | Auto headlamps do not work. Only turn on in very dark and never shut off during light conditions. Kia's response to auto headlights is it's a sealed system. No way to repair it. |
| 58000 mi | UVO system started having glitchy errors then stopped working altogether requiring new head unit |
| 21000 mi | New UVO head unit having same glitchy problems that led to replacement of head unit. Dealer unable/ unwilling to change head unit a second time. Done with glitchy piece of junk. Trading in for a real car. |
| 24000 mi US $160 |
OEM battery died. |
| 6000 mi | Driver seat heater failed intermittently at the begining, now is dead. Waiting for new seat. Dealer couldn't find where is the problem after few hours tests. They want to change entire seat to see if problems could be fixed. Really not happy. |
| 42000 mi | Replace broken windshield washer pump. |
| 51170 mi US $500 |
A/C high side line had a leak. Replaced the line, flushed and charged the system. |
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 4700 mi | Navigation System went dead-Req'd. Replacement-Dlr unable to match dash parts after repair-Commented to Dlr parts matched when new - Irwin Pa. Dlr stated- |
| 28300 mi | Antenna defective |
| 30000 mi | Sirius signal was cutting in and out- Dealer replaced antenna |
| 38000 mi US $112 |
Battery died - Car required AAA service call |
| 38700 mi US $50 |
Backup warning sensors stopped functioning requiring sensor replacement |
| 49000 mi US $158 |
Battery not charging. Not enough power to turn engine over. Replaced bad battery |
| 88100 mi US $505 |
Replaced alternator on 2012 Kia Sorento in August 2016 |
| 9000 mi | Dash lights fail intermittently. Dealer cannot replicate the problem, no repair, no help. Took it in twice, unresolved. |
| 13000 mi | Backup camera fails to "light up" on the monitor screen, intermittently. I haven't had time to take it in for service, but will when I return home in early June |
| 17000 mi | back-up camera AGAIN failed. Took it in, where it worked perfectly. |
| 17200 mi | Back in for same problem, intermittent failure of back-up camera. At direction of KIA engineers, dealer inspected and tightened connections in tailgate and behind EVO unit. They seem to think this will solve the problem. I'm hoping so. Update: solved. |
| 23000 mi | Intermittent blackout of dash lights, failure would not occur for the dealer, so KIA would not authorize warranty parts replacements. Was told to bring it back when it happenws again. |
| 24000 mi | Same ol' problem, intermittent black out of dash & console lights |
| 38000 mi US $328 |
Bearings on A/C pulley were making horrific noise. New pulley was $75, remaining $258 was labor, shop supplies. |
| 32860 mi | Heated steering wheel not working. Part replaced |
| 3100 mi | Drivers power seat motor inoperative. All left side power seat functions inoperative. Replace drivers side power seat motor and frame assembly.Electrical failure.Repair successful but vehicle returned with scratches on seat back and lower sections.Technician failed to place seat on a protective surface when performing repair |
| 21000 mi US $120 |
Five year old battery failed load test requirements.Requested dealer replace battery. |
| 5300 mi | Electric Door latch malfunction |
| 21300 mi US $75 |
Burning odor when operating HVAC. Dealer changed cabin air filter. |
| 130000 mi US $1300 |
Once started, the engine ran roughly and slowly. No electronic items functioned; shifter was stuck in park. on a 95+ degree day, the engine cooling fans did not run and for about an hour, the engine could not be shut off. Tow truck driver was able to shut it off after jumping the battery. Car spent over TWO WEEKS at R K KIA before they even looked at it. The problem turned out to be simply a bad alternator. |
| 47740 mi C $750 |
Audio system stopped working. This has been an ongoing issue since I purchased the vehicle. I have had it in to be checked numerous times and they couldnt find the problem. They will not cover it under warranty even though it has been an issue since day 1. Very disappointed. |
| 13640 mi | Back-up camera unsealed. Bad image quality (foggy). Camera replaced under warranty. |
| 17980 mi C $190 |
Charging light came in the dash. Dealer has tested the alternator but found after that the battery was grounded. Had to replace the battery (warranty paid for 20% of battery price and 100% of replacement time). |
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
191-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 93000 mi US $350 |
air bag sensor |
| 43000 mi | Back-up camera works intermittently. Did not have replaced since the shop was unable to determine whether the camera was defective or if the problem was due to faulty wiring. Problem still exists; ordered a new camera, but the part is on back order so I have to wait until the camera arrives to determine if this will resolve the problem. |
| 57000 mi | Non-functioning front door speaker (passenger side) |
| 13640 mi | Problems with starter |
| 29760 mi | Seat heater |
| 20800 mi | Seat heaters need to be replaced. |
| 4000 mi | Drivers map light was not installed correctly. Dealer reinstalled it so that electrical contacts lined up and it worked fine. |
| 31300 mi | Drivers side heated seat failed, still under warantee. |
| 9000 mi | Bluetooth not working. Wire to Microphone disconnected. |
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
191-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 10700 mi US $135 |
Broken AC Compressor: Cost of part was $1020, had to be shipped in from out of state, but was covered under warranty. Brake Rotors needed machining, this is what cost $135 |
| 81000 mi US $149 |
Drivers Seat Heater was not working. they charged $95 to check it with obd reader. Gave them no information, checked different components, determined lower heating element was bad. $500 for the part, est $250 labor. bought a seat heater for $149 ebay |
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.
