2012 KIA Sportage problems
Owners have filed 454 complaints about the 2012 KIA Sportage with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 72.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 6.6%.
Complaints454
Crashes10
Fires25
Injuries13
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 72.2% · 328
Electrical system 6.6% · 30
Unknown or other 5.1% · 23
Power train 4.6% · 21
Service brakes, hydraulic 2.4% · 11
Fuel/propulsion system 1.3% · 6
Steering 1.3% · 6
Air bags 0.9% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 25 describe a fire and 13 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 21 model years of the KIA Sportage in this data, 2012 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 30 in the last three years against 80 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I have a 2012 KIA Sportage 2.4 Front wheel drive. The motor number 3 rod broke and came through the block. The same issue as the recent all wheel drive ones that they recalled and are fixing. They said this one isn't under the recall but it's the exact same motor that's in the others that are recalled. Had it at the dealer for over a month for KIA direct to say it's not covered. This happened around 114,000 miles. Engine · reported at 114,000 miles
Transmission went at 120,000 miles. Dealer repaired for $3,000. Car was given multipoint inspection, all ok per dealer. 3 Days later my son was driving, in motion and without warning car stopped dead. Towed to local garage, engine is seized. Not part of the current recall. Not repairable except for engine replacement. Also noteworthy is that the dealer wrote the mileage on the service recipet at 98k miles not 120k. Engine · reported at 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,600. Engine · reported at 96,600 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…