What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 KIA Sportage

Typical pattern

2.4% of complaints about the 2012 KIA Sportage came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (328 complaints), typically at 7.8 yr or about 100,000 miles.

Complaints
454
Median age at failure
7.8 yr
Median mileage
97,000 n=362
Crash / fire / tow
18.9% of reports
Safety recalls
5 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
328 reports · 100,000 mi
7.8 yr
18%
Electrical system
30 reports · 90,003 mi
8.5 yr
33.3%
Other
23 reports · 93,000 mi
8.1 yr
13%
Power train
21 reports · 83,000 mi
8.1 yr
19%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V652000 2023-09-25 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

20V750000 2020-12-02
Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

19V101000 2019-02-15
Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

17V224000 2017-03-31
Engine and engine cooling:engine

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Power train 3,500 mi 5 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GEAR PLACED IN PARK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE ALSO OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN THE EVENT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO JUMP FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES, TRAPPING THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES THE ARMS, SHOULDERS AND RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Power train 38,800 mi 4.5 yr in service
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, A LOUD SQUEAK SOUND OCCURRED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE ENGINE PROMPTLY SHUT OFF AND HAS SINCE THEN BEEN UNABLE TO START AGAIN. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. MY CONCERN IS DRIVING A VEHICLE AT THAT SPEED AND HAVING IT INSTANTLY SHUT OFF IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND LIABILITY, ESPECIALLY AFTER HEARING IR HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH IDENTICAL VEHICLES.
Power train 101,000 mi 6.9 yr in service
THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. (THIS HAPPENED APROX 5 TIMES) THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WOULD SOME TIMES BECOME ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESEARCHING, THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THE ENGINES COVERED UNDER THE SC147 RECALL, BUT KIA SAYS THIS ENGINE IS NOT COVERED. IS ANYONE ELSE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE?
Engine 30,500 mi 2.6 yr in service
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE OF THE CAR GAVE OUT. I WAS GIVEN ZERO WARNING BEFORE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL MY CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME DID NOT HIT ME. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT PUT MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY 11 MONTH OLD SON AT RISK. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE! NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING IN A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO KIA'S FAULTY PARTS. *TR

Other Sportage model years

202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011200920082006200520022001200019991998

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