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EnginePart report

2012 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

Complaints
328about this part
Share
84%of 392 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 328 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Kia Sportage, 84% of the 392 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 16 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“I was driving to pick up my kids from school when my vehicle started to stall and suddenly stopped and completely shut off on the middle of the highway. There was no check engine light or any other issues wrong with the vehicle. I took it to Kia dealership where they confirmed that the engine had seized and could not explain to me why or how.”

NHTSA complaint #11364429, filed 2020-10, 115,000 miles

“Engine totally seized up while driving. We managed to get off to the side of the road. We were told this particular engine was not under a Kia recall but the highway safety of canada is pursuing it . They are saying thar Kia did not go far enough on their engine recalls. There are complaints filed with the highway safety of canada”

NHTSA complaint #11362426, filed 2020-10, 100,757 miles

“I was on the highway driving at approximately 65 MPH. The car suddenly shut down and I had to pull over since the car was slowing down. I was able to take an exit and when I came to a complete stop the car would not start. It was making a noise in the engine like it wanted to start but it couldn't. I had to tow my car home.”

NHTSA complaint #11373674, filed 2020-11, 144,157 miles

“With 88,110 miles on the car, while driving, the engine completely shut off. Upon stopping the car, and restarting the car, the car has a loud knocking noise. I took the car to the dealership and they said it needs a new engine, for $6800. After researching this issue, I have come to learn, it is very common among the 2012 Kia Sportage.”

NHTSA complaint #11231817, filed 2019-07, 88,110 miles

“I was driving the vehicle came to a stop at a red light , the vehicle had stalled on its own tried turning it back over and it would not do anything we had to push the vehicle out of the middle of an intersection unbelievable! The motor seized up for no reason and left me stranded now Kia will not do anything about it the vehicle only has around 51,000-52,000 miles!”

NHTSA complaint #11290180, filed 2019-12, 51,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025713%
20241115%
20233820%
20222146%
20212343%
20207747%
20193752%
20189155%
201722255%
20166246%
20158458%
20147358%
201330179%
201232884%
20117743%
2010210%
20091013%
20081717%
2007810%
20061514%
200511%
200221%
200110%
200021%
199921%
199821%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sportage

Electrical 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 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 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