How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2012 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sportage, which is 5% of the 392 total complaints filed for that year.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sportage transmission or engine?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2012 Kia Sportage.

At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sportage transmission problems typically occur?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 83,000 miles.

Were there any crashes or fires linked to these complaints?

NHTSA data shows 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury among the 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sportage.

2012 Kia Sportage Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sportage, 5% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 83,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 21; 5% of 392
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 83,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Vehicle rolls or moves forward on its own while shifter is in park, in some cases leading to a crash.
Engine loses power or shuts off suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes near 60-70 mph, leaving the vehicle unable to restart.
Engine locks up without warning, in some cases with metal shavings or copper bearing material found in the oil pan.
Transmission jerks or is hard to shift into drive after moving from reverse to drive.
Owners report internal engine failure diagnosed by a dealership or independent mechanic, sometimes accompanied by knocking noise, smoke, or oil splashed on the engine.

When 2012 Kia Sportage transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 5, 2012, latest Jun 26, 2026.

21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2020 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Kia Sportage

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sportage model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20051 (1%)
20066 (5%)
20073 (4%)
200812 (12%)
20093 (4%)
20102 (10%)
201123 (13%)
201221 (5%)
201318 (5%)
20144 (3%)
20156 (4%)
20168 (6%)
201740 (10%)
201818 (11%)
20197 (10%)
20203 (2%)
20214 (8%)
20223 (7%)
202319 (10%)
20243 (4%)
20256 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2012 Kia Sportage have?: NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sportage, which is 5% of the 392 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Sportage transmission or engine?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2012 Kia Sportage.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Sportage transmission problems typically occur?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 83,000 miles.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to these complaints?: NHTSA data shows 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury among the 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Sportage.