Every 2012 Kia Sportage recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V750000
Feb 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- 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 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.
Full recall details for 20V750000 →Engine · NHTSA 19V101000
Feb 15, 2019Engine
- Problem
- 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 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.
Full recall details for 19V101000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- 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 replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- 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 for this recall is SC172.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V224000
Mar 31, 2017Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Full recall details for 17V224000 →
2012 Kia Sportage complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 392 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage, reporting 7 crashes, 16 fires, 10 injuries. Kia has issued at least 177 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine328
- Electrical System30
- Unknown Or Other23
- Power Train21
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
- Fuel/Propulsion System6
Service bulletins by component
- Engine and Engine Cooling (57)
- Electrical System (56)
- Equipment (36)
- Engine (33)
- Structure (21)
- Power Train (17)
Read Kia Sportage owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Kia Sportage
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 4 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Scope and Timeliness
RQ17003Opened May 18, 2017Closed Dec 22, 2021
What people reported
Owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“I was driving eastbound in my 2012 Kia Sportage on I-82 just past Benton City MP97 at about 11AM on Monday June 22, 2026, when my engine knocked twice, the red check engine light came on, and I lost power. I pulled over off the road next to a concrete barrier that was beside a rock roadcut.”
2012 KIA SPORTAGEJun 26, 2026 · WA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11746708
Fire
“My vehicle had just recently been parked and turned off after only having driven 10 miles. Upon returning to my car less than 5 minutes later, a plume of white smoke and a small flame could be seen below the hood of the car. Within minutes the entire engine was engulfed in flames.”
2012 KIA SPORTAGEJun 18, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11469891
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.”
2012 KIA SPORTAGEFeb 12, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11395916
Crash
“WAS DRIVING AND THE AIRBAG INFLATED, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THEN STARTED SMELLING GAS AND SMOKE”
2012 KIA SPORTAGENov 11, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11374214
Fire
“THIS INFORMATION IS FROM MECHANIC: ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE, VEHICLE DROVE INTO PARKING LOT, PUT IN PARK, OPENED HOOD, GREY/GREEN SMOKE NOTICED, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED UP - WOULD NOT RESTART - HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC.”
2012 KIA SPORTAGEMar 15, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11318104
Check your Sportage by VIN
Not every 2012 Kia Sportage is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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