2012 Kia Sorento TOP (High Grade)
5XYKWDA26CG267494
Vehicle history report for the 2012 Kia Sorento TOP (High Grade) (VIN 5XYKWDA26CG267494). Bright silver, sport utility vehicle (suv)/multi-purpose vehicle (mpv), 3.5L 6-cyl, gasoline. 120,857 mi reported. Registered in Oh. 5 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
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What a full report checks for VIN 5XYKWDA26CG267494
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued dur…
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
NHTSA Campaign #18V907000 · 19/12/2018ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software,
NHTSA Campaign #20V750000 · 02/12/2020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
NHTSA Campaign #17V224000 · 31/03/2017POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicle…
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
NHTSA Campaign #15V626000 · 06/10/2015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driv…
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2
NHTSA Campaign #23V652000 · 25/09/2023We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 874 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Sorento, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 4 involved a fire
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 874
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2012 Kia Sorento.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On June 6, 2026, while driving home, the vehicle suddenly began smelling strongly of gasoline and burnt rubber. Within seconds, thick black smoke became visible in the side mirrors, followed immediately by white smoke pouring from the front hood and into the passenger cabin through the air vents. As I attempted to pull over to safety, the vehicle completely…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #11744052ENGINE
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact’s spouse stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The contact's spouse noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, prompting the contact’s spouse to pull over to the side of the roadway. Moments later, the front of t…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #11736289STEERING,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
The clock spring needs fixed no features including the horn is working in my airbag light is staying on. Also I now have a loud knock in my motor I understand this should fall under the extended 15 yr 150k warranty; 2012 Kia vehicles (specifically the Sorento) with V6 engines are covered under major safety recalls for engine failure and fire risks. The prim…
NHTSA ODI #11734042UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In September 2025, an authorized Kia dealership performed recall SC284XM (HECU electrical short fire risk) on this 2012 Kia Sorento. During the repair, the dealership disconnected the battery, resetting the PCM/ECU and clearing all OBD-II readiness monitors including the oxygen sensor monitor. Despite driving hundreds of miles afterward, the O2 sensor monito…
NHTSA ODI #11729041ENGINE
Engine warning lamp illuminated as the engine lost some power. Code was diagnosed as the knock sensor issue. Unit taken to mechanic to evaluate and diagnose. Repair shop notified us that based on the sensor, the engine could succumb to a failure at any time. Engine oil was flushed, cleaned, and replaced. Code was addressed currently. This is similar to…
NHTSA ODI #11727241ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. There was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while depressing the accelerator pedal and cautiously drove to the nearest independent mechanic. The mechanic use…
NHTSA ODI #11726983ENGINE
Engine Knocking - Car enters limp mode and has a known recall. KSDS was updated in prior recall and engine has failed at 118k Miles. Car has been well maintained. Kia asks for maintenance records, records were provided and they will not take action. KIA avoided fixing the engine and just updated software to tell you when this happens and now that the engi…
NHTSA ODI #11722989SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My kia Sorento shocks are really bad seems like it bounces Alot More than normal and heard a squeak coming from the shocks also hard to get the to turn when Im park and electric seems to glitch with bulbs going out faster and radio acting like it shorting out since the wiring was replaced it does this
NHTSA ODI #11717957+ 866 more complaints on record.
