2012 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
392 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 315 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 328 of 392 complaints (83.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 70 | 17.9% |
| Braking behavior | 29 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 328 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Engine: 328; Electrical System: 23; Unknown Or Other: 23; Power Train: 21; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Steering: 6; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 44 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 79 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 133 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 79; 100,000 to 149,999: 133; 150,000 and above: 18
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (133). 77 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 70 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10574623 · 2014-03-24 (March 24, 2014)
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30AM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. MY KIA SPORTAGE SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD BANG, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. IT ALSO SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS, AND DISABLED THE POWER STEERING, WHILE ON A CURVE, GOING 70MPH. THE POWER ASSISTED BRAKES WERE ALSO NOT WORKING, BECAUSE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES THAT COULD NO LONGER SEE ME, BECAUSE MY LIGHTS WERE OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN, AND I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THIS IS THE 3RD …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,955 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979929 · 2017-04-22 (April 22, 2017)
BEGIN TO HEAR FLUTTERING SOUND WHILE DRIVING ON SECONDARY AND MAIN ROADS. THE SOUND BEGIN TO GRADUALLY GET LOUDER OVER THE COARSE OF FEW DAYS. PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC. THE RESULTS CAME BACK ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO ENGINE OIL RESTRICTION. RECEIVE 2 OPINIONS FROM MECHANIC SHOPS BOTH PLACES RESULTS CAME BACK THE SAME. WHEN THE RPMS WAS REVVED UP YOU COULD HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND, ALONG WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION WOULD STALL , AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425730 · 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AS I WAS APPROCHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKES MADE A VERY VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO STOP AFTER BRAKES WERE APPLIED SO I HAD TO PUT MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I CARRIED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED (DID NOT MAKE THE NOISE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP) AND AFTER CHECKING IT I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO MAKE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 340 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432967 · 2011-10-27 (October 27, 2011)
BRAKE PEDAL GRIP PADDING FALLS OFF, LEAVING A SLIPPERY SURFACE AND A FALLEN GRIP PADDING BLOCKING BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING IN FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVING INTO TWO TOLL LANES & CRASHING INTO SEVERAL RUBBER DIVIDERS. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKE PEDAL GRIP PADDING HAS CONTINUED TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. KIA DEALERSHIP & SERVICE DEPARTMENT DENIED A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN TGHE VEHICLE WITHOUT EVEN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661631 · 2014-12-02 (December 2, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING OR ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY POST WERE TOO BIG FOR THE BATTERY CONNECTORS. AS A RESULT, ALL THE ELECTRICITY IN THE VEHICLE FAILED, INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,132.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052659 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L MPI ENGINE, 140,000 KILOMETERS, METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES WITH PREMIUM SYNTHETIC OIL AND FILTERS, SPARK PLUG CHANGE, ETC. ENGINE ALWAYS MADE SOME LIGHT KNOCKING SOUND BUT ASSUMED IT WAS THE INJECTORS, NO LIGHTS OR ERRORS EVER CAME ON AND SERVICE TECHS NEVER SAID ANYTHING AND FORUMS MENTIONED NOISY INJECTORS SO ASSUMED IT WAS NORMAL. A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS ON MY HOME ASCENDING A REGULAR HILL IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN AN UNUSUALLY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE BEGAN AND ENGINE BEGAN TO STRUGGLE. IT WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453522 · 2012-03-30 (March 30, 2012)
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR ANY SPEED ABOVE 30MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION TO TRACK VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. WITHOUT CONSTANT CORRECTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAVE THE ROAD SURFACE. THE RESISTANCE TO STEERING PRESSURE IN CORRELATION TO SPEED DOES NOT SEEM PROPERLY PROGRAMMED FOR VEHICLE. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS IS TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WOULD OTHERWISE TRACK DOWN THE ROAD CORRECTLY, NOW THROW CONTROL ARMS WITH WORN OUT BUSHINGS AND BALL JOINTS. IT ACTS EXACTLY LIKE THAT, EXCEPT A CAR WITH WORN OU…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053653 · 2017-12-09 (December 9, 2017)
ENGINE SEIZED. MOVES WHILE IN PARK MOVES FORWARD IN REVERSE. DRIVING ENGINE STALLED PULLED OVER CAR DIED. THEN WOULD NOT ENGAGE BUT STILL MOVED AS DESCRIBED. HAD HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS AGO AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACE. THEN THE IGNITER SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141842 · 2018-10-22 (October 22, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING INTO FOURTH GEAR, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PISTON ROD WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980415 · 2017-04-25 (April 25, 2017)
MY ENGINE SEIZED UP AT 79,000 MILES DESPITE THE STANDARD MAINTENANCE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 25-50 MPH CONSISTING OF 5 STOPLIGHTS AND 18 MILES OF DRIVING. I WAS NOTICING A LACK OF POWER BUT OTHERWISE NO ISSUES. I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK IN HOPES OF DRIVING IT IN TO GET SERVICED. I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP AT THE GAS STATION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES AND THE CAR STALLED NEVER TO START AGAIN. I GOT A TOW TO RUSS DARROW KIA AND THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SHOT. I THEN HAD TO GET MY ENGINE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11156783 · 2018-12-07 (December 7, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,005.
Owner-reported narrative. 137,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 11156783 at NHTSA ↗