Worst 2012 Kia Sportage Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
ENGINE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Kia Sportage.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 326 | — | 15 | 97,001 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 23 | — | 3 | 161,068 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22 | 1 | 3 | 72,702 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 20 | 2 | 1 | 76,222 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 11 | 1 | — | 22,313 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 | 1 | — | 85,281 mi | |
| STEERING | 6 | — | — | 55,692 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 4 | 4 | — | 25,000 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 | — | — | 95,667 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 2 | — | — | 71,566 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 | — | — | 92,500 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | — | — | 195,500 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | — | — | 6,955 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 | — | — | 110,708 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 | — | — | 46,350 mi | |
| WHEELS | 2 | 1 | — | 3,600 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR:INTEGRATED STARTER(OTHER THAN PROPULSION) | 1 | — | — | 127,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM | 1 | — | — | 93,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 | — | — | 150,000 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 | — | — | 137,005 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 | — | — | 103,841 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 1 | — | — | 5,699 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR | 1 | — | — | 103,841 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 1 | — | — | 500 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | — | — | 5,699 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 | — | — | 4,850 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 1 | — | — | 29,000 mi |
Recalls for 2012 Kia Sportage
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,548,902 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Kia Sportage Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Sportage reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Kia Sportage
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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