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SteeringPart report

2012 Kia Sportage Steering Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
2%of 392 total for the year
Median mileage
52,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Kia Sportage, 2% of the 392 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles.

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.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11397789, filed 2021-02, 115,000 miles

“My 17yr old son was driving the car when it started making a noise and wouldn't accelerate.he slowed down to pull over and the steering wheel didn't want to turn. He said it was heavy. We had the car towed home and checked out by a mechanic who stated it was rod bearings. I remembered a couple years ago getting a letter from NHTSA and Kia mentioning they were investigating a problem with the engine. I looked up and it said no recalls on my car. The car has the exact same problem as the recall same year and everything. …”

NHTSA complaint #11111135, filed 2018-07, 106,000 miles

“Rattling noise from steering column that is continuously getting worse. Vibration from wheel while braking intermittently. This more often occurs while making turns. Every time the wheel is turned left, there is a clicking noise but not when it's turned to the right. I was originally told it was the viscous coupling, then I was told it may be the entire steering column. Why does a 5 year old vehicle need a new steering column. Also, this has been going on since I got the car and has just continuously gotten worse. …”

NHTSA complaint #11022867, filed 2017-09, 45,000 miles

“Rattling noise coming from steering column for a while and has constantly gotten worse. Took it to a Kia of cherryhill first they told the noise was coming from something in the door, then they guy at the service desk took a ride with me, I pointed the noise out & he told me it was a viscous coupling, the following week I requested he email me the quote & he responded that my particular vehicle doesn't even have that part & it's probably the steering column. I decided to take it to another mechanic & he confirms the rattling noise is coming b from the steering column. …”

NHTSA complaint #11019231, filed 2017-08, 60,000 miles

“At approximately 5:30am, I was driving down the freeway. My Kia Sportage suddenly made a loud bang, and the engine stalled. It also shut off the headlights, and disabled the power steering, while on a curve, going 70mph. The power assisted brakes were also not working, because the engine shut down. I managed to pull the vehicle over without incident, but was almost hit by several vehicles that could no longer see me, because my lights were off. The engine would not start up again, and I had to have the vehicle towed home. …”

NHTSA complaint #10574623, filed 2014-03, 6,955 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202614%
202547%
202445%
202353%
202224%
202095%
201923%
201895%
201792%
201643%
201532%
201321%
201262%
201195%
201015%
20091418%
200811%
20071013%
200633%
200557%
200294%
200152%
200083%
1999104%
1998134%
199763%
199612%
199559%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sportage

Engine
328 complaints
Electrical system
29 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Engine 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