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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
7%of 392 total for the year
Median mileage
84,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Kia Sportage, 7% of the 392 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Fist problem ever with car but died on me while driving to work had to pull over lost all engine function, it would crank but wouldn't start, thank god for triple a had it towed to the Kia dealership and they said they were going to do a diagnostic check on it that should take no more than a half hour and I am still waiting on a call back from them all day. Kia service sucks.”

NHTSA complaint #11114153, filed 2018-07, 90,003 miles

“I was in the road slowly because I was going to stop in a toll bridge about 10 miles and suddenly my Kia Sportage 2012 was down and a big noise I was really scared. A big hole appeared under the car and all oil scattered on the pavement. The piston broke so the engine. I'm really frustrated due to I still owe the vehicle and to fix the car the cost is $5,000.00 in Kia of yuma arizona. I owe 6,000.00 plus 5,000.00 it's unfair”

NHTSA complaint #11112910, filed 2018-07, 10 miles

“Takata recall I was driving on highway 59 in houston in the middle lane and my oil light began flashing. After it flashed it stopped and then it would not accelerate. After I noticed it was not accelerating I began to get off the main highway onto a service road. By the time I got onto the service road the truck went completely dead. I got out and checked the oil and I had oil on my dip stick. I had gotten an oil change on september 1, 2018.”

NHTSA complaint #11129855, filed 2018-09, 140,000 miles

“Turned my car on and heard a weird ticking sound while it was idol. I decided to take it in to my mechanic. On the way to the mechanic, the sound started happening while accelerating. Once I reached 40 MPH, the car stopped accelerating and stalled. I had to use the momentum and turn left into dirt parking lot to pull over since there was no pull over lane on the right side. My passenger and back windows do not work unless driver pushes buttons next to them to roll windows down.”

NHTSA complaint #11378359, filed 2020-12, 121,000 miles

“I own a 2012 Kia Sportage that I purchased from riverhead auto mall, that experience was wonderful. I originally purchased a Kia for a few reasons, the affordability but mainly the 5 year/10 year warranty. Since I have purchased this vehicle, I have had a few issues that I have visited various service departments to rectify which have still not been resolved. These are safety related issues, which I spoke to customer service department regarding and cannot believe that Kia would not stand behind their vehicles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11010641, filed 2017-07, 41,416 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
20251527%
20241621%
20234523%
2022817%
2021611%
20202012%
20191115%
20183018%
20176316%
20161713%
20151812%
201486%
2013226%
2012297%
20113821%
201015%
20091823%
20082728%
20071317%
20062220%
2005812%
2002167%
20012310%
20003211%
19994114%
19984716%
19972112%
1996712%
1995814%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sportage

Engine
328 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology