10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,664 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Sportage engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Kia Sportage Owner Comments (Page 10 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #140

May 082019

Sportage

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving up a hill at 45 mph, a clicking noise was heard and the engine suddenly stalled. Upon inspection, it was discovered that oil leaked from the engine and a part from the engine connecting rod was found on the ground. The vehicle was eventually towed to royal Kia(4333 East speedway, tucson, AZ) where it was diagnosed that the engine was severely damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (engine). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000. The consumer stated vehicle was repaired at owners expense.

- Tuscon, AZ, USA

problem #139

May 012019

Sportage

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise underneath the hood. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to their residence. The dealer was not contacted. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and change the oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The engine had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #138

May 122019

Sportage

  • 63,000 miles
My 2012 Kia Sportage with 63000 miles started making a loud racket and then the engine quit completely. I had it towed to local mechanic who informed me the engine had to be replaced. I then had it towed to Kia who said the same. However they claim its not under warranty and not due to the recalled engines. I have always had my oil changed on time and have my records.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #137

Apr 132019

Sportage

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling in id heading home to ut (in motion) on an interstate interchange at hwy us-20 w to I-15 S, my 2012 Kia Sportage with only 36,000 miles, experienced engine power loss, the engine seized with no warning indicators. I was eventually able to bring the vehicle to a stop on the side of the road, but it was difficult because there were no brakes. After waiting several minutes and calming down, I tried the ignition and it started up again and since there were no warning indicators and I'd never experienced this particular problem before, I decided to push on keeping to the right side of traffic and going as slow as possible. After a few minutes of driving slowly, the car started making a knocking sound so I exited immediately at the nearest pocatello exit, to find a Kia dealership. Now the car was making an awful squealing noise along with the knocking. I was able to putter to the pocatello Kia dealer and had to leave the car so they could run a diagnostic test the following Monday. I then had to find a ride back to salt lake. The result was "rod failure" according to the test and they recommended that I buy a motor for approx $7000 and did not disclose they could start a service ticket with the test result, so one week later a friend helped me trailer the Kia back to salt lake, we left it at our family mechanic's shop whom we've used for other cars and started the search for a less expensive engine. Had a jegs engine shipped but jegs sent the wrong engine and now say there are no engines that will work for my Kia. One month later I still have no car, no engine and am racking up rental car charges and it looks like my only option is to buy another car. Feeling a little violated because I took great care of that Kia. I can provide documentation upon request, if you feel it would be helpful, please let me know.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #136

Feb 102019

Sportage

  • 114,000 miles
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.

- Hyndman, PA, USA

problem #135

Apr 262019

Sportage

  • 100,000 miles
Takata recall - I was driving slow when I heard a noise & the vehicle just stop was able to get out of the road. Brought truck to dealer they said something about bearing in the engine. Also stated that the company don't make engine anymore for my 7 year old truck. I also found a recall on my year make & model that they should have contacted me and they didn't for what went wrong with my truck is what the recall was on. Now they want to give me a engine with more mileage and no warranty. Its at the dealers won't crank or move.

- Bluesprings, MS, USA

problem #134

Mar 202019

Sportage

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2 months ago my daughters Kia died at a stop sign, it would start but not idle or drive. Had it towed to midtown Kia here in tulsa where all, and lots of problems, have been repaired. Gave them the issues and paid them to diagnose the problem. We bought the car new from a dealer in Colorado but all repairs were done at local dealer. Took a week and my calling them to be told the starter was bad and it would take $424 to replace it to diagnose the problem the starter worked fine when we brought it in and the starter doesn`T need to be working to plug in the obd reader to check for fault codes! had the car towed back home, I am mechanically inclined and have proper tools. I borrowed an obd reader and it returned fault code for camshaft position sensors, I replaced those and still wouldn`T run. Cleared the codes and got faulty crankshaft sensor code, replaced that and still no success. Cleared codes and got faulty valve timing solenoid code, replaced those, car started and ran 2 days before engine locked up. Replace oil and filter regularly with mobil 1 synthetic, took proper care of vehicle as required. Vehicle has 180,000 miles.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #133

May 032019

Sportage

  • 111,000 miles
2012 Kia Sportage 2.4 mpi, engine stalled on road, loud knocking from engine. Dealership stats not covered under warranty and requires new engine. Vehicle only had 111,000 miles and had frequent oil changes every 5000 miles with full synthetic.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #132

Apr 202019

Sportage

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle had difficulty accelerating. The engine shut off and the check engine and oil indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact waited a few minutes and attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle shook and the entire instrument panel illuminated. The contact stated that smoke and flames appeared under the hood. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to a repair shop. The vehicle was not destroyed. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to boniface hiers Kia (880 S apollo blvd, melbourne, fl 32901, (321) 951-9595) where it was determined that there was no fire even though the vehicle showed signs of a fire. The contact claimed to have received an unknown recall notice; however, a recall was not found to be associated with the VIN. The vehicle was currently still at the dealer and had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #131

Apr 012019

Sportage

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power and a rod fractured within the engine assembly. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: RQ17003 (engine) and NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

- Asheboro, NC, USA

problem #130

Sep 182018

Sportage

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving along the interstate, the engine seized in the vehicle. We first had it towed to our neighborhood mechanic who confirmed that the engine had seized, and that there were metal shavings found in the oil. We contacted grand Kia in co and were advised to tow the vehicle in for diagnostic, which we did. They ultimately agreed that the engine had seized due to a faulty rod bearing, and agreed that oil in vehicle was recently replaced. The vehicle was out of warranty and we were advised that our only option was to replace with a short block engine for over $6,000. We went ahead with the replacement and were advised to contact Kia corporate consumer relations to see if the repair could be reimbursed upon the regional manager's discretion, which was ultimately not approved. Upon receipt of repaired vehicle, we were told there was a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty on the work. Approximately 3 months later, while driving, the vehicle stalled again and was towed to daytona Kia since we assumed the warranty would cover any issues. The technician at daytona Kia replaced an axel that per their professional opinion, was not re-assembled correctly when grand Kia replaced our engine. Neither grand Kia nor corporate Kia took responsibility for this issue so we paid out of pocked for another repair so that we could drive home. Shortly after, the engine started to make a new noise, given grand Kia's lack of honoring the engine's warranty to date we decided to sell the car to cut our losses and avoid any further out of pocket expenses.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #129

Mar 082019

Sportage

  • 11,000 miles
Engine started making loud clanging noises with a strong burnt oil smell while driving down the highway roughly 500 miles from home. Pulled over under power but had the car towed to a mechanic who declared the engine required replacement. We could not justify the $6K cost of replacement so junked the car with a local salvage yard that was not affiliated with the mechanic.

- Cave Springs, AR, USA

problem #128

Dec 012018

Sportage

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bearings in the motor needed to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) pertained to the failure, but the VIN was excluded. The vehicle was taken to bob king Kia (1725 link rd, winston-salem, nc 27103) where it was diagnosed that the motor bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.. while consumer was driving engine started knocking an losing speed. Manufacturer is recalling this same engine knocking on this model and make but sales dealer said it was not under warranty.

- Lowgap, NC, USA

problem #127

Jan 302019

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Kia Sportage sx. Consumer writes in regard to vehicle engine failure.

- Kings Park, NY, USA

problem #126

Feb 262019

Sportage

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 60-65 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and lost power. The contact heard abnormal knocking and clunking noises, and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. Additionally, while checking the fluids, the contact noticed that the oil level was low. The vehicle was towed to vandevere Kia (328 w market St, akron, oh 44303, (330) 253-8800) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #125

Mar 012018

Sportage

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 55 mph, the engine failed and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rod bearing failed. The vehicle was towed to redding Kia (418 E cypress ave, redding, ca 96002, (888) 778-5635) who also diagnosed that the rod bearing failed. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer who stated that nothing could be done because the contact did not have proof of the oil changes. The vehicle was purchased from lithia Ford of klamath falls (2833 washburn way, klamath falls, or 97603, (541) 205-4501) where they denied performing the oil changes. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Alturas, CA, USA

problem #124

Nov 252018

Sportage

  • 106,701 miles
Driving up hill at 106,701 miles on car around 50 mph and loud sound started with no warning. Engine power decreased suddenly and check engine light came on. Car was able to be driven to safe location before being disabled. Towed to local mechanic and told engine had failed catastrophically. Taken to Kia dealership and there "sounded like rod knock" with code P0301 indicative of cylinder misfire. Required engine to be rebuilt. Metal debris found on exhaust cvvt solenoid was noted in report from mechanic. Very fortunate no fire or harm to self and family. We are original owners of car. Maintenance records are not fully available, but all recommended pm including oil was self performed (oil every 5000 miles using synthetic oil and top end filter). Short block, pans, shaft assembly, cvvt assembly replaced.

- Enola, PA, USA

problem #123

Mar 102019

Sportage

  • 52,000 miles
Driving from Arizona to vegas on highway 93 northbound, no prior problem, no warning suddenly heard a vibrating or ticking noise, car suddenly wouldn't excell and lost RPM, then I heard a few thumps and the check engine and battery light came on. I glided to a stop on side of freeway and car wouldn't start. Called tow. Smoke was coming from under hood. Had signs of leaking some fresh fluid. Was told engine seezed. Possibly but only 52,000 miles.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #122

Mar 092019

Sportage

  • 112,000 miles
While driving down interstate the vehicle started making a awful knocking noise. Then the dash lit up with oil pressure light check engine light. I slowed down and pulled to side of interstate with my children in the car. I had to call someone to come get us.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #121

Dec 082018

Sportage

  • 104,889 miles
On Saturday December 8, 2018 leaving gatlinburg 2 hours out at 10:40 on the interstate returning to murfreesboro, tn; kiara call me stating her truck was making a ticking noise and was losing power. She went on to say that it had stalled out and died on the side of the road for about 10-15 mins. It then crank back up and seemed fine but the tick noise was still there, so she proceeded onward. So then I got another call from kiara about 45 min to an hour later, just getting into cookeville, stating the truck was now making a knocking noise along with the ticking but seemed to be a bit sluggish every so often. Unsure of what the case may be with the truck, I advised her to pull over and check the oil and see if it may need some additional oil put in it. So she did and added a little oil to see if it would either quiet or cease the noise, it didn't. so I then told her to leave the truck at the gas station and we'll figure out how to get it home the following day. So that following Monday I rented a truck and trailer from U-haul and decided to go pick up the Kia Sportage to bring it back home. After listening while loading it up, I could tell it was nothing good going to come from this ordeal. Due to our financial situation when we got home there was nothing at that time that could be done pertaining to the vehicle, so we left it parked on the parking lot where we live until we had the necessary funds to get the vehicle properly diagnosed. My mother, eugenie called the Kia customer service number on Jan. 16, 2019 to see if there were any recalls on the vehicle because of the issues that kiara was having, but she was told that kiara bass could call them back to file a complaint, and that would get the ball rolling, but the vehicle would need to be taken to the dealership to be diagnosed of the problems. The vehicle is not driveable due to fear of a breakdown on the road.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

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