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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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Bulletins, newest first
TSB-TRA0512017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT ? DTC P0741 - This bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of the Damper Clutch (D/C) Solenoid on 6-speed automatic transaxles with DTC P0741 (active or history), instead of replacing the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed with the transaxle installed in the vehicle.
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.
TT0592017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECH TIP: Difficulty Programming SMK - Process to troubleshoot difficulty programming SMK because the vehicle won?t power up.
TSB-SST0332017-08-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL FOR HOOD RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL - This bulletin provides information related to the introduction of a new Special Service Tool (SST) (A) developed to prevent the hood release lever pivot point (B) from being damaged when removing the hood release lever. Follow the instructions included in this bulletin to properly remove the hood release lever using the new SST.
TSB-CHA0412017-08-02. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT. TSB: FRONT STRUT AND DUST COVER REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure for replacing the front struts and dust covers on some 2011-2013MY Sorento (XM) vehicles, produced from October 26, 2009 through January 21, 2013, which may exhibit a condition related to oil leakage and/or noise emanating from the front struts.
WTY003QA2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. Q AND A: WTY003 - 2011-2015 MY SORENTO DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION Q & A
WTY003OWNER2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. OWNER LETTER: WTY003 - DEAR KIA SORENTO OWNER: KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY TO 15 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. THE CLOCKSPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. KIA’S SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE INCREASES, WHICH CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BY USAGE PATTERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, ADVISES YOU TO HAVE THE SYSTEM INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IF CONTINUED TO BE USED WITHOUT REPAIR, THE DRIVER’S AIRBAG MAY EVENTUALLY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT.
WTY003DEALERPSM2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: WTY003 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY ON THE 2011-2015 MY SORENTO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM 10/24/2009 THROUGH 12/17/2014, TO FIFTEEN (15) YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. THE CLOCK SPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. KIA’S SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE INCREASES, WHICH CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BY USAGE PATTERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ADVISES THE DRIVER TO HAVE THE SYSTEM INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IF CONTINUED TO BE USED WITHOUT REPAIR, THE DRIVER’S AIRBAG MAY EVENTUALLY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT.
WTY003FORM2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY003 - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC., P.O. BOX 52410, IRVINE, CA 92619-2410
WTY003DEALERP2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: WTY003 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY ON 2011-2015 MY SORENTO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM 10/24/2009 THROUGH 12/17/2014, TO FIFTEEN (15) YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. THE CLOCK SPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION ADDRESSES FAILURES OF THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING AS REPORTED BY SOME VEHICLE OWNERS, AS WELL AS THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT.
WTY003BULLETIN2017-03-10. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. WARRANTY BULLETIN: WTY003 - 2011-2015 MY SORENTO DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY003) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY ON THE 2011-2015 MY SORENTO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM 10/24/2009 THROUGH 12/17/2014. THE CLOCK SPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. KIA’S SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE INCREASES, WHICH CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BY USAGE PATTERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ADVISES THE DRIVER TO HAVE THE SYSTEM INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. IF CONTINUED TO BE USED WITHOUT REPAIR, THE DRIVER’S AIRBAG MAY EVENTUALLY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT. KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY ON THE 2011-2015 MY SORENTO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM 10/24/2009 THROUGH 12/17/2014, TO FIFTEEN (15) YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION ADDRESSES FAILURES OF THE DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING AS REPORTED BY SOME VEHICLE OWNERS, AS WELL AS THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT.
TSBTRA051R12017-02-17. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT – MULTIPLE DTCS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS SHIFT SOLENOIDS ON 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES WITH DTCS P0741, P0743, P0748, P0753, P0758, P0763, P0768, P0773, P1778 AND P2709. REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS IF CURRENT OR HISTORY CODES ARE PRESENT; DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. TO REDUCE VEHICLE REPAIR TIME, THIS PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. REFER TO KGIS FOR SOLENOID PACK REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE.
TSBELE051R22017-02-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS. TSB: DRIVER’S SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO SOME SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM JANUARY 28, 2010 THROUGH MAY 16, 2011, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERABLE DRIVER’S SIDE WINDOW. TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR BY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN.
TSBBOD093R52017-02-17. Service bulletin. SEATS; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. TSB: SECOND ROW SEAT INOPERATIVE OR DIFFICULT TO RELEASE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO SOME 2011-2013MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2009 TO NOVEMBER 5, 2012, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN RELATED TO THE SECOND ROW SEATS BEING INOPERATIVE OR DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SOME AMOUNT OF EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO FOLD THE 2ND ROW SEATS. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB.
TSBELE0892017-02-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; 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.
PS3872017-02-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). PITSTOP: NAVIGATION HEADUNIT AND SD CARD COMPATIBILITY - THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES BETWEEN NAVIGATION HEAD UNITS AND SD CARDS WHEN REPLACING HEAD UNITS FOR MULTIMEDIA ISSUES. IF AFTER REPLACING A NAVIGATION HEAD UNIT THE ORIGINAL SD CARD DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY, FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE:
PS365R12017-02-17. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: BLUETOOTH® ISSUES AFTER IPHONE® IOS 8 SOFTWARE UPDATE - THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO POSSIBLE BLUETOOTH CONCERNS WHEN USING AN IPHONE® WITH IOS 8.X (IOS 8, 8.0.1, 8.0.2, 8.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, ETC.) WHILE PAIRED TO A HEAD UNIT.
PS266R12017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. PITSTOP: HVAC RECEIVER/DRYER - DESICCANT REPLACEMENT - IN THE EVENT OF A HVAC SYSTEM CONCERN IN WHICH METAL PARTICLES OR SHARDS HAVE CONTAMINATED THE SYSTEM, THE DESICCANT OR THE ENTIRE A/C RECEIVER/DRYER ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE ALL METAL CONTAMINANTS FROM THE RECEIVER/DRYER DURING THE A/C FLUSHING PROCEDURE. REFER TO THE INCLUDED TABLE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON COMPONENT REPLACEMENT BY MODEL. IF YOU SUSPECT A PLUGGED EXPANSION VALVE, THE INLET SCREENS CAN BE CLEANED. IF THE VALVE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INLET SCREEN AND IS RESTRICTED, THE EXPANSION VALVE MAY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED.
TSBBOD093R12017-02-07. Service bulletin. SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; EQUIPMENT. TSB: SECOND ROW SEAT INOPERATIVE OR DIFFICULT TO RELEASE - REVISED - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO SOME 2011-2013MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2009 TO NOVEMBER 5, 2012, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN RELATED TO THE SECOND ROW SEATS BEING INOPERATIVE OR DIFFICULT TO RELEASE.
TSBBOD0952017-02-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY/WIPER. TSB: WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO POSSIBLE FOREIGN DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. OVER TIME, SOME KIA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WHEN THE WASHER FUNCTION IS USED. LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CAN BE CAUSED BY FOREIGN DEBRIS ON THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, REPLACE THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER AND PERFORM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR FLUSHING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB.
TSBBOD1022017-02-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. TSB: SEAT BACK COVER REMOVAL PROCEDURE - THIS BULLETIN OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK COVERS ON OPTIMA (QF) AND SORENTO (XMA).
TSBTRA047R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY BY MODEL - THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN REVISED. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY FOR KIA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REFER TO THE TABLE BELOW FOR A DETAILED LIST OF VEHICLE MODELS. INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PARTS SUCH AS AXLE BOOTS, JOINTS AND HARDWARE FOR INNER JOINT ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR PARTS DEPARTMENT.
PS224R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. SEATS. PITSTOP: VENTILATED SEAT OPERATION - SOME VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH VENTILATED FRONT SEATS TO IMPROVE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY DRAWING INTERIOR VEHICLE AIR TEMPERATURE THROUGH THE SEATING SURFACES. THE CUSTOMER PERCEPTION MAY BE THAT THE SEAT IS AIR CONDITIONED AND THE SEAT IS NOT GETTING COLD ENOUGH HOWEVER THE ACTUAL DESIGN INTENT IS TO DRAW AMBIENT AIR THROUGH THE SEAT WITH A SEPARATE BLOWER MOTOR ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY.
TSBTRA045R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE INHIBITOR SWITCH BRACKET INSTALLATION (SA126) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO SOME SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 27, 2009 TO FEBRUARY 25, 2011 WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A NO-START CONDITION, UNEVEN ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND/OR P0705 STORED IN THE POWER-TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, INSTALL THE INHIBITOR SWITCH BRACKET ON THE INHIBITOR SWITCH BY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OUTLINED BELOW. KIA IS REQUESTING THE COMPLETION OF THIS SERVICE ACTION ON ALL AFFECTED SORENTO VEHICLES. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF AFFECTED VINS.
TSBBOD0992017-02-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE. TSB: COMBINED TSB/SERVICE ACTION: SORENTO FUEL FILLER DOOR OPERATION UPGRADE (SA146) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO SOME SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 2011, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A HARD TO OPEN FUEL FILLER DOOR.

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