2012 Kia Sorento

Introduction

The 2012 Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious interior, comfortable ride, and a variety of features. It is available with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 276 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Both engines can be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.

Owners of the 2012 Kia Sorento generally praise its comfortable ride, spacious interior, and value for the price. However, some owners have reported experiencing problems with the vehicle’s engine, transmission, suspension, electrical system, exterior, and interior.

Engine

• 3.5-liter V6
  • Timing chain failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The timing chain may fail, causing the engine to lose power or seize up.
    • Solution: Replace the timing chain.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
    • Recalls: N/A
• 2.4-liter four-cylinder
  • Oil consumption
    • Description/Symptoms: The engine may consume excessive amounts of oil, leading to low oil levels and potential engine damage.
    • Solution: Replace the piston rings.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
    • Recalls: N/A

Transmission

• Six-speed automatic
  • Shifting problems
    • Description/Symptoms: The transmission may shift roughly or hesitate to shift gears.
    • Solution: Replace the shift solenoids or the transmission fluid.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
    • Recalls: N/A
• Six-speed manual
  • No issues found

Suspension

• Front strut failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The front struts may prematurely wear out, causing the vehicle to bounce or ride rough.
  • Solution: Replace the front struts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: N/A

Electrical

• Battery drain
  • Description/Symptoms: The battery may drain prematurely, causing the vehicle to have difficulty starting or not start at all.
  • Solution: Replace the battery or diagnose and repair the electrical system.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: N/A

Exterior

• Catalytic converter theft
  • Description/Symptoms: The catalytic converter may be stolen, resulting in loud exhaust noise and increased emissions.
  • Solution: Replace the catalytic converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: N/A

Interior

• NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness)
  • Description/Symptoms: The interior may experience excessive noise, vibration, or harshness, especially on rough roads.
  • Solution: Add sound deadening material or perform other NVH reduction measures.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: N/A

Summary

The 2012 Kia Sorento has been plagued by a number of issues, including engine problems, transmission problems, suspension problems, electrical problems, exterior problems, and interior problems. Some of these issues, such as timing chain failure and catalytic converter theft, can be costly to repair. However, the severity and cost of the issues vary depending on the specific problem.