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 3 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #280

Aug 012021

Sportage

  • miles

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

I financed my 2012 Sportage about year and half ago and since the turbo has began to leak which being under warranty was replaced but now my oil pan and filter is leaking oil and failrly good amount, so I noticed this because the dash light for low wiper fluid came on and when i tried to pop hood by pulling interior latch i learned that my hood release cable had disconnected not only from the interior latch but from my main hood latch as well so while under my car trying to figure out how i could fix this i could see the oil that had been leaking and was coming from pan and filter. I cant check the level due to the cable malfunction and learning about these recalls im scared to drive my vehicle.

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #279

Mar 152021

Sportage

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine) there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #278

Jul 132021

Sportage

  • miles
Kia installed ksds software update. After installation the malfunction as described in the recall notice occurred. I contacted Kia and I am having difficulty with having them cover the extended warranty provided by the recall after the recall completion.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #277

Mar 172021

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. A few days later while driving, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as an engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #276

May 202021

Sportage

  • miles
We are still making payments on a 2012 Kia Sportage AWD. Last month on a drive to doctor appts the engine started clattering and blowing smoke. We pulled over to the side of the road just as the check engine light came on. We shut the engine off and popped the hood. The back of the engine had a bright orange glow. We had it towed to a nearby shop. They had me start the engine but it immediately started popping. They said the engine was shot. Not having the money to fix it we had it towed home. This happened on a busy 2 lane highway on the crest of a hill. Very dangerous for us and the tow truck driver. I have left messages with both Kia hotline and the local dealer, No response.

- Lincoln, AR, USA

problem #275

Mar 172021

Sportage

  • miles
Unknown. The car made a rattling noise. When the car was being taken to a mechanic for inspection the car stalled. The vehicle was taken by a tow truck to the mechanic. The mechanic stated after disecting the engine, it fell apart.

- Colorado Springs , CO, USA

problem #274

May 212021

Sportage

  • miles

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

On my 2012 Kia Sportage, my engine failed my vehicle does not turn on because the engine doesn't work for my 2012 Kia Sportage I know this because it is a common issue in Kia Sportage that the engine doesn't work anymore and that the engine needs to be replaced and I saw that Kia Recalled 295,000 Cars in the U.S. for Engine problems and my vehicle needs to be 1 of them because my vehicle won't turn on anymore.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #273

May 112021

Sportage

  • miles
The oil and engine light came on while I was driving and the car started to decrease in speed. I had to pull over to the side of the road and call for a tow truck to come and get me. The car started making a knocking sound and I am unable to drive my car at this point.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #272

Mar 242021

Sportage

  • 16,000 miles
I was drive down the hwy and the truck just cut off on thw hwy and little smoke came from the hood I had to try push the truck to the side of the road and the truck never crank again its dead

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #271

Feb 012021

Sportage

  • 111,500 miles
First complaint #11340436 filed in July 2020 for original 2012 engine. Engine light never came on. Driving on a highway 70-75 mph. Knocking sound in engine. Crankshaft piston rod damaged. Engine replaced with used 2014 motor. March 2021 complaint being filed for replacement 2014 engine (in July 2020) engine light has come on repeatedly in the last month when just driving around town. 1) oil was changed; light reset. 2) solenoid switch replaced; light reset. 3) leaking oil; valve cover secured 4) variable valve timing gear problem, timing is off causing oil pressure problems. Vehicle running rough, engine is audibly missing.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #270

Feb 272021

Sportage

  • miles

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

I had a recall on my Kia for sc200sl engine inspect/test/repair. I make any appointment on with Kia company to check and repair, inspect engine or replace it on as the recall describe it. I went there that day the take the car on their shop for inspect it. It took like one hour to them to finished it. They tell me the repair and inspect the enginethe and everything. I went home I find out the did repair and inspect my car but the guy was just lie to me. The engine was still have engine check on. I call them to make another appointment because the first appointment they said the repair the engine but they did not. I went the second time, they told me to leave the car there for one day so that the can look at it again. They day after that I went pick up my car they said again the repair and inspect it now I should be good, after one day driving it the engine was getting worse than before the check engine come back on. The oil light comes on and oil level still full. So I want them to replace my engine or repair it. Anytime I go there they don't repair it.so now after about 10 minutes of driving oil light comes on and vehicle shut down or on red traffic light.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #269

Sep 222020

Sportage

  • 115,000 miles
So since I purchased the vehicle around this time last year the feeling while driving my Kia was smooth no vibration or notice coming from the car, I havent had any kind of accidents or hit any pot holes, so now a year into having the Kia and keeping all the fluids, brakes, and tires changed I noticed before getting it services and having those listed changed there is a feeling in the steering front end of what I say feels like the tires are going to fold up under the car. When turning the steering seems to feel really loose and I have to correct it out of the direction I just turn to make the vehicle to correctly drive forward. It has pulled to the right for a long time and this is one of the reasons I replaced the tires. Also there is a ticking noise coming from the engine and after learning about a recall with this Kia that cause the engine to catch fire I called and the vehicle has already had this issue repaired but it is making that clicking or ticking sound still and the exhaust has moisture coming from it only on the right passenger side and the pipe it completely black from whatever it is putting out..

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #268

Dec 312020

Sportage

  • 120,000 miles
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. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While her husband was driving at various speeds and was flagged down by a bystander who noticed flames from under the hood. No injuries were sustained. The contacts husband managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. No incident report was made however the police were contacted. The fire department came out to the scene but was not needed. The vehicle was towed by the contacts insurance to a repair shop where its awaiting details for damages. The contact mentioned that the oil was changed 3 weeks prior to the failure that occurred. Kia of lake charles 1900 siebarth drive, lake charles, la 70615 (844) 203-6075 was contacted and had to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle diagnosed on March 2nd 2021. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Deridder, LA, USA

problem #267

Jan 152021

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
As driving down the highway at 65 we noticed a abrupt loss of power followed shortly after by several warning lights and vehicle engine shutting off. After safely pulling off side of road I popped the hood to look for any obvious issues non were found no smoke, smell of burning or hot, checked oil level which was fine. Got back in vehicle and it restarted fine but has a audible click noise, we decided to have the vehicle trailered home to prevent any further damage. When this took place there were no active check engine lights or any info on temp gauge that was out of the ordinary. The next day I checked the oil again and decided to start the vehicle once again started with no issue but has a audible click that gets louder with applied RPM. Went ahead and put in drive to check if transmission was functioning and appears to work in drive and reverse only moved a few feet then shut it off. We seen that Kia has had several recalls over manufacturing defects for engines that cause these malfunctions but according to the dealer ours does not fall in that category.

- Ashland, KS, USA

problem #266

Apr 162020

Sportage

  • 84,647 miles
I purchased this car in September of 2017 with only 40,000 on it & never had 1 issue with the car. However, on April 16th of 2020 I was on my way to work when I heard I ticking sound from the engine & 30 seconds later the car shut down. I was able to steer it off the highway on to the shoulder. I called for a tow & the car was taken to the mechanic shop & the engine had to be replaced due to a spun rod bearing. I was shocked & disappointed due the vehicle only had 84,647 miles on the odometer. The cost of the engine & a rental car was about $6,400 all together!!!

- Obert, NE, USA

problem #265

Dec 202020

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine) and called the manufacturer and was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to global auto mall (1099 rt. 22 West, North plainfield, NJ 07060) however, after four hours, the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while driving. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Watchung, NJ, USA

problem #264

Jan 012021

Sportage

  • 105 miles
My car has been recalled in relation to an oil leak which can cause stalling, engine to seize or car fire. Have inquired to the dealer several times. Global auto mall in North plainfield to no avail.

- Watchung, NJ, USA

problem #263

Dec 142020

Sportage

  • 120,000 miles
2012 Kia Sportage LX 2.4L mpi engine with approximately 120K miles engine seized at moderate speed on the interstate. Car was well maintained bought second hand from brandon Kia in tampa, fl in July 2018 with approx. 92K miles. Engine seized on 14 Dec 2020. Towed to local repair shop and analyzed as replace engine. We read about the Kia/Hyundai engine problems so went to local Kia dealer to inquire. The service rep said tow it in and they would analyze and if the seizure met the conditions, they would replace per Kia guidance. So we did this, and were told "sorry, your vehicle isn't covered." Same run around as everyone else is experiencing with Kia. Kia needs to admit every theta II engine they produced between 2011 and 2014 had a manufacturing flaw and just bite the bullet and replace them when they fail. We are weighing our options now, none of which are good at this point. The engine replacement will cost what the car is worth, so if Kia will not replace the engine or at least absorb some of the cost, the car is not worth repairing. Kia needs to stand by their products. No engine should fail at 120K miles for crankcase issues, which is what is happening with these theta II engines. Please put pressure on Kia to replace these engines, no exclusions!!!

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #262

Jun 112019

Sportage

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving on a city street when my vehicle begin to loose power. I was stopped at a red light and could not get up to speed to continue thru the intersection. I pulled over then had someone direct traffic as I cautiously pulled into the parking lot of a local business. After work I got aaa to tow vehicle to my home. The next day I had aaa tow vehicle to a local repair shop. I contacted Kia at that time and was told my vehicle was not included in the recall.I had several mechanics diagnose problem including my local Kia dealership for a fee. As I trailed behind my friend as he slowly drove vehicle from 1 shop to Kia, I noticed fire underneath the vehicle so we stopped and towed vehicle the rest of the way. Kia shop verified it to be engine failure and quoted me a repair fee of $7500 to $9000 to repair the problem. I had just spent $3000 about 3 months earlier for a new transmission so I decided to donate vehicle instead of spend more money.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #261

Jun 012016

Sportage 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to flood Ford of East greenwich (2545 S county trail, East greenwich, ri 02818) where they repaired the camshaft and other cylinders within the engine. Four years later, the contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, he began to hear an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle then began to stall as the contact's son pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- West Greenwich, RI, USA

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