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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
PT20201-0002R42017-10-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. PARTS BULLETIN - THETA II ENGINE SAFETY RECALL (SC147) - This bulletin provides information related to the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the engine assembly on certain 2011 to 2014 model year Optima, Sorento, and Sportage vehicles. For repair information please refer to Technical Service Bulletin SC147.
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).
PS4742017-08-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: TPMS SENSOR POSITION - When diagnosing TPMS-related DTCs, make sure you are investigating the correct sensor. The TPMS positioning from the manufacturer may be different from the positioning shown on a KDS.
WTYCS201606RETIR2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BULLETIN 2016-06 - RETIRED. SEE WARRANTY BULLETIN 2017-09 (SC147).
WTY201709R42017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. WARRANTY BULLETIN: 2017-09.R4 - SC147 Claims Processing Procedures - This Warranty Bulletin accompanies TSB SC147 Theta II Engine Inspection and/or Replacement and is provided to dealers for specific guidance with claim administration and processing of SC147 warranty claims.
PT20201-0002R32017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PARTS BULLLETIN: 20201-0002 (Revision 3.1) - This bulletin provides information related to the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the engine assembly on certain 2011 to 2014 model year Optima, Sorento, and Sportage vehicles.
SC141OWNERXM2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. SC141 - SORENTO OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Sorento Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
SC141QA2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC141 ? UNDERBODY ? ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT
SC141DPSM2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally retailed or currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
SC141DP2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally retailed or currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used.
TSB-SC1412017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. The 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used are: AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WI and WV.
VSC149TSBR12017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. TSB: SC149R1 - HALOGEN HEADLAMP LOW BEAM CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT (SC149) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on some 2011-2012MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a low beam bulb in one of the headlamp assemblies. This condition on the affected headlamp does not affect the other low beam. Also, the high beams continue to function at all times. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the low beam connector wiring harnesses. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.
VSC149QA2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SC149QA -CAMPAIGN QUESTION AND ANSWER REGARDING SC149.
VSC149OWNER2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SC149OWNER - OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING SC149.
VSC149DPSM2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SC149DPSM - DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer parts and service managers of a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on certain 2012 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a low beam bulb in one of the headlamp assemblies. This condition on the affected headlamp does not affect the other low beam. Also, the high beams continue to function at all times.
VSC149DP2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SC149DP - DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on certain 2012 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from April 25, 2011 through June 16, 2011. In a limited production of these vehicles, a small number of headlamp connectors may lose electrical contact with a low beam bulb in one of the headlamp assemblies. This condition on the affected headlamp does not affect the other low beam. Also, the high beams continue to function at all times.
PS4932017-08-02. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessively fogged. Depending on the specific model, the HVAC control head monitors ambient temperature and/or cabin humidity to determine which settings will best prevent the windows from fogging. If the system detects lower ambient temperature or higher cabin humidity, the defogging logic may automatically switch ON the A/C, and/or set the air intake mode to Fresh Air. If the user changes these settings, the defogging logic will take control again after 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the procedure in this publication.
VSC148TSB2017-08-02. Service bulletin. WHEELS; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING. TSB: REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HOUSING COVER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC148) - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to inspect, clean and seal or, if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor (WSS) housing covers on certain 2011-2015MY 2WD Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from October 24, 2009 through April 30, 2014, originally retailed and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. If the rear wheel hub comes into contact with a significant amount of seawater, the water can enter the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers and may interrupt the rear wheel speed sensor signal and illuminate the Anti-Lock Braking System (?ABS?) and/or Electronic Stability Control (?ESC?) warning lights in the instrument cluster.
VSC148QA2017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SC148QA - CAMPAIGN QUESTION AND ANSWERS REGARDING SC148QA
VSC148OWNER2017-08-02. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING; WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. SC148OWNER - OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER -Notifying owners that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011-2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
VSC148DPSM2017-08-02. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING. SC148DPSM - DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011 - 2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
VSC148DP2017-08-02. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR; WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING. SC148DP - DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTIFICATION LETTER - Notifies dealer principals of a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect, clean, and seal, or if necessary, replace the rear wheel speed sensor housing covers on certain 2011 - 2015 MY Sorento 2-Wheel Drive vehicles originally purchased and/or currently registered in the coastal states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
TSB-CLI026R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TSB: A/C EVAPORATOR FREEZE-UP DURING EXTENDED DRIVE - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the evaporator temperature sensor of some 2011-2014MY Optima (TF/QF) and 2011-2013MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles ONLY (see production dates on Page 3), which may experience freezing of condensation on the evaporator core and the following A/C performance related concerns below. Do NOT refer to this bulletin or the resistance specifications listed in this bulletin for ANY other models.
TSB-SC141R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. The 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used are: AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WI and WV.
TSB-GEN085R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.

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