2012 Kia Sportage Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 392 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 195,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Kia Sportage, 1% of the 392 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 195,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11565163, filed 2024-01, 221,000 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of a rod bearing and knock sensor failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximately failure mileage was 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11464420, filed 2022-05, 170,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V224000Mar 31, 2017Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine…Covers: Kia Sportage 2011–2013, Optima 2011–2014, Sorento 2012–2014
Related service bulletins
- 10252086Mar 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 10251443Mar 12, 2024PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2103) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform…
- 10237606Jun 7, 2023SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2103Y/Z) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously…
- 10219692Sep 13, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BEARING CLEARANCE TESTER (BCT) PROCEDURES - This bulletin provides information regarding test procedure of the Bearing Clearance Tester (BCT) Special…
- 10210431Apr 20, 2022PITSTOP: INJECTOR HARNESS ROUTING FOR PI1802Y/Z AND PI1803Y/Z ENGINE REPLACEMENTS - This bulletin provides information to address a no-start or hard start with poor running…
- 10209438Mar 1, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10206642Jan 6, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10205866Dec 23, 2021PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections…
- 10205426Dec 21, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10203695Nov 4, 2021This bulletin provides information regarding test procedure of the Bearing Clearance Tester (BCT) Special Service Tool (SST). The SST comes pre-calibrated from the supplier…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 14 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 69 | 29% |
| 2001 | 45 | 20% |
| 2000 | 45 | 15% |
| 1999 | 79 | 28% |
| 1998 | 79 | 26% |
| 1997 | 56 | 31% |
| 1996 | 10 | 18% |
| 1995 | 14 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sportage
328 complaintsElectrical system
29 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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