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 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10247554Dec 18, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10247553Dec 12, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a…
- 10242913Sep 25, 2023PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of…
- 10231840Feb 3, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to…
- 10202226Oct 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10189545Mar 25, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183333Nov 25, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183332Nov 4, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 4 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 9 | 5% |
| 2017 | 9 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 14 | 18% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 10 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Sportage
328 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
7 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