The 2012 Sorento will only last around 150,000 miles with a lot of engine failures and even some fires. At $9,587 – 13,000, it’s too costly for an SUV with this many headaches.
Is the 2012 Kia Sorento a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2012 is a bad year for the Sorento. Owners have complained about oil leaks, fires, and overheating issues.
- Reliability ratings are poor. Models from 2011–2016 all have a lot of mechanical issues, with reliability improvements for 2017 and newer.
- Performance is weak from the base four-cylinder engine, but the V6 is very quick.
- The Sorento is a safe SUV earning four out of five stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 24 mpg combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Sorento?
- Consumer Reports finds the Sorento to be comfortable to drive, but has very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Sorento 4.2/5 and likes the third row, but the suspension is too firm
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Sorento a 4.2/5 enjoying the fuel efficiency, but off-road performance is poor.
What Common Problems Does the 2012 Kia Sorento Have?
Problems with the 2012 Sorento are serious including engine failures, airbag system issues, as well as electrical fires.
Engine failures are an extremely widespread problem at around 85,000 miles. The only solution is to replace the engine, costing over $5,000.
Airbag system issues are frequent at around 80,000 miles, causing the warning light to turn on. A failed clock spring in the steering wheel causes the problem, which costs around $800 to replace.
Electrical fires have happened at under 100,000 miles, but are not as common as the other issues. There are weak electrical connectors which allow water into the system, leading to shorts and fires.
There are four serious recalls which can cause a lot of damage and total out a Sorento. The recalls include brake interlocks, engine bearing wear, high-pressure fuel pipe leaks, and engine fires.
How Long Will the 2012 Kia Sorento Last?
A well-maintained 2012 Sorento will last about 150,000 miles, half as long as top-rated SUVs like the Highlander. Repair Pal finds the annual maintenance costs to be expensive at $607 per year.
A 2012 Sorento is likely to have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should prepare to replace the powertrain control module for $1,400, engine mounts costing $325, and oil coolers which cost $400.
I haven't had any problems except one. The sensor on the drivers side rear door sticks and alarms that the door is open when it in fact is not. Very annoying.
So far it has been a reliable vehicle for our family of 6. Gets decent gas mileage too which is a plus.
The car is very reliable. We've had this car for almost 2 years now. So far we have had zero problems I am with this car.
My Kia is very reliable with no major problems. I keep up with my monthly maintenance appointments with dealership.
The Sorento has been very reliable. Our vehicle currently has over 116,000 miles and continues to drive well.
My Kia is very reliable. The only problem it has is the wheel alignment from dealing with and driving over potholes in the road.
We have only had one problem. I had to get new brakes on it but that is to be expected. Still has a AC that is so cold you could hang meat in it. I would have no problem driving it to California and back. Plus it gets great gas mileage.
It is a reliable car. However the cosmetic features of the car did not last long. The tires on it were great and I would recommend purchasing the same brand of tires
How Much is the 2012 Kia Sorento Worth?
Blue book prices range from $9,587 – 13,000 making the Sorento $2,000 cheaper than a Pilot or CX-9. When new, the price range was $21,250 to $34,850. Depreciation is worse than average, losing 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Sorento?
There are four models of the Sorento available. Technology is good since the last update was in 2010, with a complete redesign and more up-to-date infotainment system arriving in 2016.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows And Locks
- Air Conditioning
- Cruise Control
- AM/FM/CD Stereo System With Bluetooth And AUX Jack
LX is a step up adding features such as:
- Heated Exterior Mirrors
- Fog Lights
- Third-Row Seating
- Rear Parking Sensors
EX focuses on luxury with some items including:
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Keyless Entry And Ignition
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Kia Uvo Voice Activated Infotainment
SX is the sport-oriented model and has:
- Sport Suspension
- Panoramic Sunroof
- New Exterior Bumpers
- Metallic Interior Trim
What Engines Come in the Sorento?
- The base engine in the Sorento is a weak 2.4L four-cylinder available with either 175 or 191 horsepower depending on the configuration, and gets up to 24 mpg combined.
- An upgraded engine is the powerful 3.5L V6 making 276 horsepower, getting up to 22 mpg combined, and only takes 7.4 seconds to go 0 to 60 miles per hour.
What Colors Does the Sorento Come in?
How Big is the Sorento?
The Sorento is smaller than other midsize SUVs including the Grand Cherokee and 4Runner. Passenger room is good in the first and second row, but the third row will only accommodate young children.
Cargo space is similar to rivals, with 19 cu. ft. of space behind the third row, 37 behind the second, and a maximum of 72.5 cu. ft. of room.
How Does the Sorento Compare to the Competition?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a rival costing about $1,500 more. Both SUVs are built on the same platform, but the Sorento has a higher-quality interior. We recommend avoiding both SUVs since they suffer from the same engine issues.
The Toyota Highlander is a popular competitor at around $5,000 more. Passenger space and reliability are better on the Highlander, but the Sorento’s interior is more luxurious. We recommend the Highlander, which will last longer and be more affordable to own.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Sorento?
Yes. Very reliable as well as spacious. As a single mother I often play taxi driver for my children. They are never cramped and I can separate them when I need to. The self closing doors are very helpful and the sound quality of the Bluetooth system is wonderful.
Yes so far so good had to replace a water pump before 100k miles though which was annoying because that seems early.
The vehicle is great. It is good on gas and good on speed. The interior is also very nice. The car is very good if your looking for something that drives smoothly.
My car is in excellent condition. It is 7 years old. It rides smoothly, low on gas and mileage. I recommend a Kia to all my family and friends.
I have really enjoyed the Sorento. The vehicle is spacious for my family and consistently drives well. We have also had no major maintenance issues.
Yes, my Kia is a very good vehicle. I am very happy with my Kia and intend to keep it, which is good for me because I trade cars like shoes..
So far it's been great. Only thing we have done to it is put a set of brakes on it. It runs as good as the day we purchased it. You would be surprised what I have at the things we have hauled in it. When I am ready to buy another vehicle it will be a Kia !
N0. I have had to have it painted because the paint from the manufacturer didn't last more than four years. The seats on the interior were beginning to tear and had to buy car seat covers. The passenger door handle fell off. The brake sensors on both sides had to be replaced. I would not recommend purchasing a Kia because they are cheaply made vehicles