10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,789 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Sportage drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #20

Mar 192022

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving suv when sudden loss of power to engine, pulled off of highway and loss all power to electrical and to engine, I could smell something burning, upon further inspection after having suv towed to repair shop, I was informed that starter had melted and engine had seized up, I have contacted Kia dealership 3 times with no response from them, I also contacted Kia corp and no response, I also notified the BBB, I know there was a lifetime engine repair of this vehicle and some recall on bearings, I did have knock sensor done as required, I am looking for help in filing a complaint and copies of any recalls that were ever issued to this vehicle, I do not get recall notices sent to me, I own 4 cars, all Kia, other 3 not having issues yet, any help would be appreciated. Consumer stated the warranty has expired, but never received any notices of recalls.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #19

Sep 222020

Sportage

  • 115,000 miles
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. When turning the steering seems to feel really loose and I have to correct it out of the direction I just turn to make the vehicle to correctly drive forward. It has pulled to the right for a long time and this is one of the reasons I replaced the tires. Also there is a ticking noise coming from the engine and after learning about a recall with this Kia that cause the engine to catch fire I called and the vehicle has already had this issue repaired but it is making that clicking or ticking sound still and the exhaust has moisture coming from it only on the right passenger side and the pipe it completely black from whatever it is putting out..

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #18

Nov 172020

Sportage

  • 69,123 miles
On November 12 I purchased the Kia Sportage ex 2012 and it was transferred on November 16 from pittsburgh to the dhillon auto center workshop located at penndel Pennsylvania being attended by the mechanic (the vehicle was stationary) who after performing the usual technical inspections found that the engine did not work properly and after a short period of ignition, it smoked intensely and went out almost immediately; insisting a couple of times more and continued checking other components of the ignition system after which he did not insist more and reaching the conclusion that the engine was internally damaged. Before which I felt frustrated and confused and without knowing who to turn to. Until doing the proper historical monitoring of this vehicle I find out that this car has a pending recall to be solved by Kia. Therefore I come to you to know how to proceed and make the due claim for this pending recall

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #17

Oct 032020

Sportage

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down freeway at 70 miles an hour when engine started knocking and car stopped, took to shop they said that two rods blew through the block and can't figure out why since there's still all the oil in car. Extremely scary to happen on freeway!! they are saying at 83,000 miles it's not covered since I'm the second owner- still owe money on car. Gonna cost 6,000 to fix since used engine is 4,000 and then U have labor. Can't believe Kia is allowing so many to have this problem and they refuse to help.

- Kelso, WA, USA

problem #16

Jun 012019

Sportage

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to move from a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated to respond before lunging forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Sylacauga, AL, USA

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problem #15

Jun 302020

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles
The Hyundai 2.4L engine (G4kc, G4ke, G4kg, G4kj) belongs to the theta/theta II engine family. It is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with multi-point or direct injection depends on the generation and in which vehicle it is used. Like other engines, Hyundai shares this power unit with Kia brand. The 2.4L is very similar to the 2.0L version of the same theta series, with slight differences due to the increased engine displacement and internal loads. The engine has aluminum open-deck cylinder block and aluminum cylinder head. The increased displacement was achieved by installing a new crankshaft with 97 mm stroke (two-liter engine has 86 mm stroke). The cylinder bore is also larger. In this case, the engine got new pistons with a diameter of 88 mm (instead of 86 mm pistons). The cylinder head has 4 valves per cylinder (16 valves total) and double overhead camshafts (DOHC). The crankshaft drives the intake and exhaust camshafts by using a timing chain. The first theta engines use the continuously variable valve timing (cvvt) for intake timing only. The later generation, theta II engine, is equipped with the variable valve timing system cvvt on both camshafts. There are not hydraulic lifters/tappets in the valvetrain of the 2.4L engine; it uses shimless bucket lifters (clearance adjustment is required about every 60K miles). Most of Hyundai's and Kia's 2.4 engines are equipped with multi-point fuel injection (mfi or mpi). The newest engines, named as 2.4 gdi, have direct injection.

- Thorndale, PA, USA

problem #14

Feb 282020

Sportage

  • 119,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Before this happened thought I heard a slight tapping sound like a rocker arm but didn't hear again day or two before as I would top a hill left my home. A couple of days later while driving on a city street in traffic engine died or shut off. Behind another car I had to turn out of my lane to avoid the rear-ending vehicle in front with no power steering struck a curb to my left oncoming lane coasted back on road crossed both lanes to the right finally coming to rest in small gravel lot of closed building. Put car in park and tried to start would not turn the engine over. I thought I damaged starter when I jumped curb. That night had towed to my home less than five mins away $90 bought starter puton tested old one, no good. Probably from trying to start over and over. Finally got motor to turn over sounded ok. When for test drive then motor made large knocking noise, I shut off quickly, had towed to mechanic shop.they inspected and determined motor had internal damage. $52 quote to replace motor $9,000 generally speaking conversation over the phone.(weekend) Monday missed work no car. $27 hourly 8 hours. I had car put on trailer carried home following weekend $60. I bought this car new in 2012 had oil changed at first until Kia stripped out my drain plug and didnt tell me. So did it myself from then on. Never had one issue with this car untill this in one day.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #13

Jan 192020

Sportage

  • 73,000 miles
My 20 year old daughter was driving her 2012 Kia Sportage on the 30 bypass going 55 miles an hour when all of a sudden she had engine loss. Thank goodness she was able to safely get to the side of the road without getting hit or even killed. She was very scared. We had the car towed to a independent mechanic. He said the had catastrophic engine. The mechanic advised us to have it towed to the Kia dealership where we purchased the vehicle a year and a half ago. Kia said that it would need a new engine costing $5000-$8000 to repair. How is it that our same year make and model have 3 recalls but our VIN number is not. When they sold us the car they knew it was a ticking time bomb and didn't care. Just wanted to make the sale. As the 2nd owner of the car they said they won't honor the factory warranty even if the salesman marked it on our paperwork that we do have it. Still getting the run around from them. Even if they do fix the engine I am scared to have my daughter drive it. Considering all the recalls and horror stories. Please look into this. I would not wish this on anyone!

- Thorndale, PA, USA

problem #12

Jan 122020

Sportage

  • 15 miles
Knocking noise coming from engine, have taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic as well as Kia dealership service department both diagnosed the problem as needed a new engine ($5000-7,000). This vehicle 73,000 miles, oil changed at every 5000 miles. There is no explanation or reasonable cause of engine failure except for manufacturing. Only had the 1 1/2 years. Dealership told us only option is to buy a new car from.

- Thorndale, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 012020

Sportage

  • 90,000 miles
Hi I came home on lunch one afternoon the car drove perfectly fine no issues what's so ever. About an hour passed and it was time to go back to work so I put the key in the ignition and they car never started again. It sounded to me like it wasn't getting any fuel so I thought I'll change the fuel pump..that's when I learned that there was a fuel pump from a polaris artticat snowmobile that was used by the manufacturer which ok I thought was funny at the time but finding a replacement part was a nightmare..I finally found a replacement part which I just had to get a whole new fuel pump and assembly but when it didn't start after that I didn't know what to do. I took it to vip and had them take a look they called me back the next day and said they had no clue what was wrong with it and that I needed to come grab it and bring it to the dealer where I bought it from. That's when I learned the engine somehow stopped getting compression and that blew up merchants said I needed a new engine that's $7,000 and when I went to find one that's when I found out it's discontinued gee wonder why so then I go to Kia and tell them now I found out there's all these recalls out on Kia Sportages but my VIN# doesn't match now how does that work so now I'm out a car and $7,000 and still paying on a car I don't have any more. So how am I to fix a discontinued motor and a polaris artic cat snowmobile fuel pump. By the way I've had the car less than 2 years and only put 30,000 miles on it ridiculous.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #10

Oct 012019

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving with my daughter at 7:30 pm on santiago canyon road orange, ca. When I noticed a clicking sound and caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of a light reflecting off the road. I instantly pulled over and told my daughter to get out. The car took about 3 to 4 minutes to totally go up in flames. I was never contacted about any potential problems with this car or anything about the Kia sorrento we also own. Now I won't be driving that car either.

- Silverado, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 192019

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road as smoke appeared. The contact exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and noticed that oil had splashed all over the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a new engine was needed. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine); however, the contact's VIN was excluded. The contact called Kia of irvine (45 oldfield, irvine, ca 92618, 833-290-7156) for a second opinion and was informed that he would have to cover the costs for a tow. The dealer also informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 232019

Sportage

  • 81,000 miles
When I put the gear in drive, it jerks.the car is stationary, I put in reverse, back out, put on the brake then drive and this is when it jerks. Also it going in to drive is difficult. As if it's hard to go in to gear.. this occurs every time I drive it. It also occurs when I'm putting into drive, going forward, not just backing up first.I have no documentation. I entered in other as I'm not familiar where this issue goes on your list. Possibly the drive train?

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #7

Apr 192019

Sportage

  • 117,544 miles
Engine locked up while driving on a 4 lane road.. it has copper metal shavings in the oil pan. This is probably from crank bearings.

- Clayton, GA, USA

problem #6

Jan 192019

Sportage

  • 50,000 miles
Engine locked up for no reason only 50,000 mile left me on the side of the road for three hours had no warning

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 292018

Sportage

  • 72,000 miles
I parked my car to unload groceries. My car was on but in park. I walked around the back of the car to the passenger side to unload the. At. the door was still locked so I walked back around to the driver side unlocked the doors and walked back around to the passenger side. When I started unloading my groceries, my car started rolling/ driving away. No one was in the car as this was happeneing. As I chased my car I was able to get to my passenger door and get it opened, the car was still in the park. The only thing that stopped my car was the framing of a garage. I have multiple witnesses that saw my car in park, and watched it drive away. Thankfully no one was hurt. I don't feel comfortable driving this car any longer.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 022018

Sportage

  • 101,000 miles
The engine turned off while driving 60mph on a highway. (this happened aprox 5 times) the engine light and oil light would some times become illuminated. After researching, this is the same problem reported with the engines covered under the SC147 recall, but Kia says this engine is not covered. Is anyone else reporting this problem with this engine?

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #3

Jul 202017

Sportage

  • 112,000 miles
I was driving in the middle of a busy highway when my car all the sudden lost all power. I luckily was able to get to the side of the road. The car however would not turn over. Electric worked but nothing else. I had to have it towed back home, 2 hours away, to have a dealership take a look at it. The bearing wore from the engine completely locked up the engine. Called Kia and two Kia dealerships directly and they told me there was nothing they could do for me, even though they are having these engine issues with many of their other makes within the same year. Representative stated that since I was over my power train warranty as a second owner, with only 112,000 miles on the car, and the current recall was only cover 2.0 liter engines and not 2.4 liter engines. I was told that I would need to pay for a new engine out of pocket since my VIN did not match any of the current recalls, even though this is happening to multiple Kia models.

- Mingo Junction, OH, USA

problem #2

Mar 132016

Sportage

  • 38,800 miles
Driving approximately 70 mph on the interstate, a loud squeak sound occurred and all of the lights on the dashboard lit up and the engine promptly shut off and has since then been unable to start again. The Kia dealership has informed me that the vehicle has internal engine failure. My concern is driving a vehicle at that speed and having it instantly shut off is a huge safety risk and liability, especially after hearing ir has happened to others with identical vehicles.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #1

Feb 242012

Sportage

  • 3,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle proceeded to move forward with the gear placed in park. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by utilizing the emergency brake. He also opened the driver side door in the event that he would have to jump from the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into two parked vehicles, trapping the contact between the vehicles. The contact received injuries the arms, shoulders and ribs. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic but was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 3,500.

- Allantown , PA, USA

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