2012 Kia Sorento fuel/propulsion system problems
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2012 Kia Sorento — 4% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While driving I smelled gas, a few minutes later I saw smoke coming from the hood of the car. I stopped, turned the car off, got my dog, exited the car, which then exploded into flames. I saw that I was not safe the minute I saw the smoke. I was unsure that the gas smell was coming from my car…”
filed Sep 13, 2026
“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…”
filed Jun 14, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 Sorento | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 Sorento | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 Sorento | 14 | 7% |
| 2021 Sorento | 23 | 10% |
| 2020 Sorento | 9 | 7% |
| 2019 Sorento | 24 | 6% |
| 2018 Sorento | 13 | 5% |
| 2017 Sorento | 39 | 5% |
| 2016 Sorento | 53 | 4% |
| 2015 Sorento | 28 | 4% |
| 2014 Sorento | 46 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.