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Service bulletins for the 2012 Kia Sorento

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

233 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Software are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
PI1803_TSB_R62021-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN PI1803_TSB_R6: KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU - LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1803) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
TSB_PI1803_R22019-06-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1803) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
PI1803_OWN#2_SOR2019-04-30. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. OWNER LETTER: Dear Kia Sorento Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2012-2014 MY Sorento vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ("GDI") engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit ("ECU").
VPI1803_DP2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - DEALER PRINCIPAL LETTER - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals, Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
TSBELE091R32017-12-22. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.
TSB-ELE091R12017-08-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - Identifying Head Unit Software Version For Direct Exchange (ELE091) (Rev 1) - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the Direct Exchange Program (see Parts Bulletin 91-961-0005).
TSB-ENG160R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from September 30, 2013 to November 16, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system-related DTC(s): P0420 and possibly P0171. This concern occurs most commonly during prolonged engine braking while descending a steep grade.
TSB-ENG133R22017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: ECM UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC P0638 AND ETC MOTOR CLEANING (SA153) - This bulletin provides information related to the ECM software upgrade for some 2011-2013MY Sorento 3.5L MPI vehicles, produced from October 25, 2009 through January 31, 2013, and 2011, 2012 & 2014MY Sedona 3.5L MPI vehicles, produced from March 03, 2010 through July 12, 2013, which may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminated with the ECM (Electronic Control Module) system-related DTC P0638.
TSB-ENG1602017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from September 30, 2013 to November 16, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system-related DTC(s): P0420 and possibly P0171. This concern occurs most commonly during prolonged engine braking while descending a steep grade.
TSB-SC1062017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - ECM LOGIC UPGRADE ? SORENTO (XMA) 3.5L MPI (SC106) - This bulletin provides information related to an upgrade of the ECM software on some 2011~2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from July 12, 2010 through January 31, 2013. During a specific set of operating conditions, it is possible under rare circumstances when braking and bringing the vehicle to a stop, for the engine to also stop.
TSBSC114R12017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ECM UPGRADE - MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 (SC114) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO AN ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IN CERTAIN 2012~2014MY SORENTO, 2012~2013MY OPTIMA, AND 2012~2013MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE’S ENGINES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) SYSTEM THAT UTILIZES A FLOW CONTROL VALVE (FCV) TO CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE FCV NEEDLE MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN IMPAIRMENT OF FUEL FLOW. IF THAT HAPPENS, AND TO PROTECT THE ENGINE, THE ECU MAY REDUCE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE ILLUMINATING THE “CHECK ENGINE” OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL). THE ECU UPDATE WILL IMPROVE THE DURABILITY AND OPERATION OF THE FCV NEEDLE.
TSBELE0892017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). TSB: NAVIGATION HEAD UNIT SD CARD REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE SD CARD EXCHANGE/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE RELATED TO ERROR MESSAGES THAT MAY BE DISPLAYED ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WHEN THE INCORRECT SD CARD IS INSERTED. NOTE: ONLY NEW MODELS (DURING PDI INSPECTION OR AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE) OR COMPATIBILITY MISMATCHES THAT OCCUR AFTER HEAD UNIT REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROGRAM.
TSBSST0412017-01-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: KDS - AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) - THE GDS AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) WAS INTRODUCED IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 2013. THIS SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL (SST) WAS DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF UPDATING 2010MY, AND LATER, KIA AUDIO HEAD UNITS USING A GDS, AND NOW, THE SAME FUNCTIONALITY IS AVAILABLE ON KDS. SOME TECHNICIANS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS THE AUM TOOL HAS TO OFFER. THE AUM ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE USB FLASH DRIVES FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLE MODELS AND APPLICATIONS WHICH, IF MISAPPLIED, MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPER AUDIO SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND/OR LOCKED UP HEAD UNIT. ADDITIONALLY, FIELD REPORTS HAVE INDICATED THAT USB DRIVES FOR AUDIO UPDATES ARE EASILY LOST OR MISPLACED.
0562016-03-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TSB-1332013-11-20. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. KIA: INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATING WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM WHICH NEEDS TO HAVE SOFTWARE UPGRADED TO CORRECT OR PREVENT THIS CONDITION. MODELS 2011-2013 SORENTO, 2011-2012 AND 2014 SEDONA. *PE UPDATED 2/25/14. *PE

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.