2012 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Kia Sportage ranks 3rd-worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 90 and 392 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 84% of complaints, with 16 reported fires and 5 recalls, mostly engine-related.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 392
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 16
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2012 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine331 (84%)
- Electrical System31 (8%)
- Other23 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (5%)
- Brakes13 (3%)
- Fuel System7 (2%)
- Steering6 (2%)
- Airbags4 (1%)
- Structure & Body4 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines catch fire or produce smoke after a loud bang or popping noise, sometimes right after an oil change.
- Vehicles previously repaired under an engine-replacement recall have reportedly caught fire again weeks later.
- Brake pedal grip padding detaches and slides under the pedal, interfering with braking at highway speed.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes despite noticeable vehicle damage.
- Some vehicles have rolled or moved unexpectedly while shifted into park.
2012 Kia Sportage recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
- NHTSA 19V101000Feb 15, 2019Engine32,296 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
2012 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Kia Sportage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Sportage ranks among the worst years for this model, with a complaint index of 90 out of 100 and 392 complaints, most tied to the engine.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Kia Sportage?
- Engine problems make up 84% of complaints (331 of 392), including 16 reported fires, with a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have an engine fire recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V750000 covers 2012 Sportage vehicles for engine compartment fires, and separate recalls address oil pan leaks and engine bearing wear.
- How does the 2012 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?
- It ranks 3rd-worst of 21 model years, worse than 2011 and every year from 2005 through 2010, but slightly better than 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025, which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Sportage have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Sportage, four involving the engine and one involving brakes, with no do-not-drive recalls.