2012 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

84% of owner complaints on the 2012 Kia Sportage related to the Engine (328 of 392).

392
Complaints
5
Recalls
7
Crash reports
16
Fire reports
10
Injuries
53.9
Severity index

Severity index 53.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 53.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 84 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 35% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 328 complaints (83.7%)328 84%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 29 complaints (7.4%)29 7%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 23 complaints (5.9%)23 6%Power TrainPower Train: 21 complaints (5.4%)21 5%Service BrakesService Brakes: 11 complaints (2.8%)11 3%HydraulicHydraulic: 11 complaints (2.8%)11 3%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 6 complaints (1.5%)6 2%SteeringSteering: 6 complaints (1.5%)6 2%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE32883.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM297.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER235.9%
POWER TRAIN215.4%
SERVICE BRAKES112.8%
HYDRAULIC112.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM61.5%
STEERING61.5%

Complaints filed per year

0501002011: 32012: 42013: 22014: 72015: 22016: 92017: 402018: 662019: 1002020: 662021: 242022: 292023: 132024: 182025: 72026: 2 (partial year)11121314151617181910020212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20113
20124
20132
20147
20152
20169
201740
201866
2019100
202066
202124
202229
202313
202418
20257
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (38 against 119).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
20V75000002/12/2020ENGINEKia 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.
19V10100015/02/2019ENGINEKia 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.
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia 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.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Sportage model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.