55 complaints reported

2012 Kia Sorento SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
55
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2025 Fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle at his home, an abnormal burning odor began to emit from the vehicle's vents. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the engine had caught fire and did not engulf beyond the vehicle's firewall. The contact used his home's water hose and sprayed the engine for approximately 25-30 minutes until the fire was fully extinguished. The police and fire departments were not notified of the failure and no injuries were reported. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) which was linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2025
May 2025 Fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced at the local dealer for the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) regarding a safety fire hazard. Days later, while the vehicle was idling, smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle and discovered flames and smoke coming from the fuse box located in the front of the engine bay. The contact, who was a local fire investigator, retrieved a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames. The fire department was called to the scene, and a fire report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the home, and the manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The manufacturer sent an investigator to the home to examine the vehicle. The investigator determined that the fire had originated at the front of the engine compartment, but did not determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported. The contact was concerned that the fire was related to the recall service previously performed. The failure mileage was 212,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
Jan 2025 Fire

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, she was informed by an individual if she was the owner of the vehicle since it was smoking and caught on fire. Prior to the fire, unknown warning lights would illuminate and un-illuminated intermittently. The Fire Department was on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then towed by the insurance company. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the VIN not being included in a recall at the time the failure occurred. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) after the vehicle caught fire and was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,739.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2023
Oct 2024

See attached document for complaint.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2024
Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Aug 2024 Fire

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 25 MPH, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle caught on fire. No further information was provided. The contact stated that her son immediately pulled to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle became engulfed in fire and exploded, causing damage to another parked unoccupied vehicle. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle burned to the ground. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which she related to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2024
Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and there was a burning-like plastic odor coming through the vents. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2024
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2024
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and the key fob was inserted, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that he observed a clanking noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2024
Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2024
May 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), the ABS, Brake, and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost of the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
May 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. The contact was informed by the technician that the HECU fuse had been replaced. The contact attempted to disable the check engine light with a scanner; however, the light failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with an ABS HECU Hydraulic Control Unit malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
May 2024

The contact's ex-husband owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
May 2024 Fire Injury

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed he smelled a burning fuel odor, and smoke began coming into the vehicle from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and unlatched the hood of the vehicle only to find a sizeable amount of fire coming from the engine, which left him with burned hairs on his left arm, no medical treatment was needed. The contact stated there was a cop parked nearby who came to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was called to make sure the fire was extinguished. The contact did not recall filling out a fire department report. A police report was filed, however the contact did not have the information available. The insurance company towed the vehicle and deemed it totaled. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23v652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in that recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also confirmed there was nothing they could do because the vehicle was not included in that recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The VIN was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2020
May 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated when he entered the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition the contact stated that the vehicle battery would drain quickly. The local dealer was contacted, however the dealer stated the parts were not available for repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure was approximately 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2023
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact also stated that an abnormal burning odor was coming from the vehicle while idling. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V65200 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2024
Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SORENTO, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2024

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Kia Sorento has 55 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.