RecallMyCar

2012 Kia Sportage Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2012 Kia Sportage, and owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
392
owner complaints to NHTSA
7 / 16
complaints citing a crash / fire
21–25
MPG combined (EPA)

5 safety recalls for the 2012 Kia Sportage

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside

    NHTSA 23V652000 Reported 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected Kia America, Inc.

    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…

    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,…

  2. Engine

    NHTSA 20V750000 Reported 294,756 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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.

    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…

  3. Engine

    NHTSA 19V101000 Reported 32,296 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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.

    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…

  4. Engine and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 18V907000 Reported 71,653 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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…

    Remedy: 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…

  5. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 17V224000 Reported 618,160 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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.

    Remedy: 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.…

392 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2012 Kia Sportage have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 16 describe a fire. Reports cite 10 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 93,065 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 100 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 p”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 26, 2026 · Electrical system

“On XXX, my 2012 Kia Sportage experienced a catastrophic engine failure while traveling on the interstate. The connecting rod failed, breaking through the engine block, causing sudden and sever oil lea”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 15, 2026 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2012 Kia Sportage (Sportage 2WD, Sportage 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined21–25 mpg
City / Highway19–21 / 25–30
FuelRegular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine4 cyl, 2/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Kia Sportage model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Sportage model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1995 Kia Sportage256
1996 Kia Sportage357
1997 Kia Sportage3181
1998 Kia Sportage3303
1999 Kia Sportage3284
2000 Kia Sportage2304
2001 Kia Sportage0228
2002 Kia Sportage1234
2003 Kia Sportage04
2005 Kia Sportage368
2006 Kia Sportage1111
2007 Kia Sportage277
2008 Kia Sportage398
2009 Kia Sportage380
2010 Kia Sportage220
2011 Kia Sportage6181
2012 Kia Sportage5392
2013 Kia Sportage3381
2014 Kia Sportage3123
2015 Kia Sportage2146
2016 Kia Sportage2132
2017 Kia Sportage4401
2018 Kia Sportage3164
2019 Kia Sportage270
2020 Kia Sportage2161
2021 Kia Sportage254
2022 Kia Sportage146
2023 Kia Sportage6191
2024 Kia Sportage373
2025 Kia Sportage152
2026 Kia Sportage127

Checking a specific 2012 Kia Sportage

How do I know if my 2012 Kia Sportage has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2012 Kia Sportage; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V224000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Kia models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.