Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Kia Sportage problems
Owners filed 392 complaints about the 2012 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Sep 2011 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is engine (328).
Complaints
392
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
16
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine328
- Electrical system29
- Power train21
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Steering6
- Structure4
- Air bags4
- Visibility4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Wheels2
- Exterior lighting2
- Seat belts2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
4
2
7
2
9
40
66
100
66
24
29
13
18
7
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 66 |
| 2019 | 100 |
| 2020 | 66 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
328 reports16 fires2 related recalls
“I was driving eastbound in my 2012 Kia Sportage on I-82 just past Benton City MP97 at about 11AM on Monday June 22, 2026, when my engine knocked twice, the red check engine light came on, and I lost power. I pulled over off the road next to a concrete barrier that was beside a rock roadcut. My flashers would not operate, I put it into park, turned off the ignition and immediately noticed the smell of burning oil or rubber. I had 2 half gallon containers of water on my front seat, so I popped the switch, lifted the hood, used the prop rod to hold the hood up as I started dowsing the flames that were popping up on the passenger side of my engine compartment near the firewall. After using both half gallons, I ran to the rear of the vehicle, opened the hatchback, and grabbed a gallon spray bottle of water and brought that back around to the front of the vehicle. By this point the prop rod holding the hood was bending and the flames were popping back up, I pumped the sprayer and directed a stream of water with my left hand and used my right to hold up the hood as the prop rod was not working. After the fire was completely out, I returned to the rear of the vehicle,…”
Electrical system
29 reports1 crash4 fires
“The car has been giving off a burning smell each time that I begin to drive especially if the heat is being utilized. The smell worsens as I drive a further distance.”
Power train
21 reports2 crashes2 fires
“Was driving suv when sudden loss of power to engine, pulled off of highway and loss all power to electrical and to engine, I could smell something burning, upon further inspection after having suv towed to repair shop, I was informed that starter had melted and engine had seized up, I have contacted Kia dealership 3 times with no response from them, I also contacted Kia corp and no response, I also notified the BBB, I know there was a lifetime engine repair of this vehicle and some recall on bearings, I did have knock sensor done as required, I am looking for help in filing a complaint and copies of any recalls that were ever issued to this vehicle, I do not get recall notices sent to me, I own 4 cars, all Kia, other 3 not having issues yet, any help would be appreciated. Consumer stated the warranty has expired, but never received any notices of recalls.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
11 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Fuel/propulsion system
6 reports1 crash
“It died when we turned it on but we didn’t think it started so we started it again and it was fine. Then 1 hour later we were driving and check engine light came on and it turned off then the car was dying. When I pulled over to let it cool down the car wouldn’t turn back on and when I checked under the hood there was oil all over the engine and the cap was there, it was smoking.”
Steering
6 reports
“SO SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE FEELING WHILE DRIVING MY KIA WAS SMOOTH NO VIBRATION OR NOTICE COMING FROM THE CAR, I HAVENT HAD ANY KIND OF ACCIDENTS OR HIT ANY POT HOLES, SO NOW A YEAR INTO HAVING THE KIA AND KEEPING ALL THE FLUIDS, BRAKES, AND TIRES CHANGED I NOTICED BEFORE GETTING IT SERVICES AND HAVING THOSE LISTED CHANGED THERE IS A FEELING IN THE STEERING FRONT END OF WHAT I SAY FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE GOING TO FOLD UP UNDER THE CAR. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING SEEMS TO FEEL REALLY LOOSE AND I HAVE TO CORRECT IT OUT OF THE DIRECTION I JUST TURN TO MAKE THE VEHICLE TO CORRECTLY DRIVE FORWARD. IT HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I REPLACED THE TIRES. ALSO THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AFTER LEARNING ABOUT A RECALL WITH THIS KIA THAT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CATCH FIRE I CALLED AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED BUT IT IS MAKING THAT CLICKING OR TICKING SOUND STILL AND THE EXHAUST HAS MOISTURE COMING FROM IT ONLY ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PIPE IT COMPLETELY BLACK FROM WHATEVER IT IS PUTTING OUT ..”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.