2012 Kia Sportage: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / kia / sportage
known issues	5 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-04)
complaints	392 on file (2011-09-11 → 2026-06-26)
recalls	5
investigations	4
fars	22 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Brake hydraulic control unit recall delaySERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9 complaints2023-11 → 2024-12sportage-2012-brake-hydraulic-recall-delay

11557401 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
11633380 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

Engine knock, seizure, and sudden power lossENGINE139 complaints2019-07 → 2026-06sportage-2012-engine-knock-seizure

11240858 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO RATTLE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOSE SPEED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY DAUGHTER PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE MEDIAN AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE
11360985 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT WAS IMMOBILE
11744253 On XXX, my 2012 Kia Sportage experienced a catastrophic engine failure while traveling on the interstate. The connecting rod failed, breaking through the engine block, causing sudden and sever oil leak and heavy smoke

Engine compartment fire while drivingENGINE10 complaints2019-08 → 2026-06sportage-2012-engine-compartment-fire

11746708 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
11311025 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN SHE NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT COME ON AND SAW SMOKE. WHEN SHE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE HOOD SHE SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD
11395916 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE

Electrical system malfunction and burning smellELECTRICAL SYSTEM5 complaints2021-05 → 2025-04sportage-2012-electrical-malfunction

11655352 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
11588236 I am writing about a recall notice that was issued last fall (2023) and has not yet been repaired by KIA, this vehicle's manufacturer. The HECU unit has a bad fuse that can cause a fire while driving or when parked

Powertrain stall and hesitation during accelerationPOWER TRAIN8 complaints2019-08 → 2020-10sportage-2012-powertrain-stall

11339775 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND BEFORE LUNGING FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED
11310717 MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2012 KIA SPORTAGE ON THE 30 BYPASS GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HAD ENGINE LOSS. THANK GOODNESS SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR EVEN KILLED. SHE WAS VERY SCARED
11258427 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE APPEARED

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
392	2011-09-11	2026-06-26	7	16	ENGINE:328; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:29; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:23; POWER TRAIN:21; SERVICE BRAKES:11

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V907000	19/12/2018	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.	Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
20V750000	02/12/2020	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.	Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
19V101000	15/02/2019	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.	Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
17V224000	31/03/2017	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.	Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
23V652000	25/09/2023	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.	Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE	2022-09-12	2023-12-12	·	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
EA21003	closed	Engine Fires	ENGINE	2021-12-22	2024-02-05	23V877	On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine
RQ17003	closed	Scope and Timeliness	ENGINE	2017-05-18	2021-12-22	17V224000	NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA?s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.Under the Consent Order, Kia agreed to a total civil

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	22	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Kia Sportage vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/kia/sportage

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_kia_sportage_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Kia Sportage},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/kia/sportage}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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