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2012 Kia Sportage problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
88% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2012 Kia Sportage are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.
Worse than 99% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 341 of 392 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (88%), and the largest group is filed under engine (328). For comparison, the 2011 scores 60% and the 2013 scores 85%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2012 compares with other Kia Sportage years
Of the 13 Kia Sportage years with enough complaints to score, the 2012 is the worst on engine and transmission share (88%). The best is the 2023 (35%). By volume, the 2012 drew 392 complaints (341 drivetrain), against 181 for the 2011 and 381 for the 2013.
Kia Sportage years to avoid and best years →
2011 Sportage problems · 2012 · 2013 Sportage problems · 2014 Sportage problems · 2015 Sportage problems · 2016 Sportage problems · 2017 Sportage problems · 2018 Sportage problems · 2019 Sportage problems · 2020 Sportage problems · 2021 Sportage problems · 2022 Sportage problems · 2023 Sportage problems
The rest of the picture on the 2012 Kia Sportage
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2012 Kia Sportage said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 341 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2012 Kia Sportage engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns on the 2012 Kia Sportage involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine…
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number…
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.…
1 other recall on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2012 Kia Sportage? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2012 Kia Sportage
Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 341 of 392 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (88%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Kia Sportage?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2012 Kia Sportage is engine: 328 of 392 complaints (84%) name it, followed by electrical system (29) and power train (21). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2012 Kia Sportage reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 88% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (very high signal). That is worse than 99% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Kia Sportage years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2012 Kia Sportage?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns on the 2012 Kia Sportage involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total: 20V750000 (engine), 19V101000 (engine), 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Kia Sportage years are better?
Among the Kia Sportage years we track, the 2023 (35%), the 2022 (52%) and the 2016 (54%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2012 (88%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/kia-sportage
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.