Reliable Auto DB

2012 Kia Sportage reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Kia Sportage has 392 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 5 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Sportage years here — under the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Hoses and fittings.

2012 Kia Sportage
Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

392

Per year

5

Recalls

5

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (328 of 392), then Electrical system (29) and Powertrain (21). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 16 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Sportage has 381 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Kia Sportage. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Summary 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.
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, 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.
Recall Engine 2020-12-02 · NHTSA campaign 20V750000
Summary 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 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.
Recall Engine 2019-02-15 · NHTSA campaign 19V101000
Summary 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 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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000
Summary 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.
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 this recall is SC172.
Recall Engine 2017-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V224000
Summary 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. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Complaints by component (392 total)

Engine
328
Electrical system
29
Powertrain
21
Hydraulic brakes
11
Fuel and propulsion system
6
Steering
6
Air bags
4
Structure
4
Visibility
4
Speed control
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Engine and engine cooling
2
Exterior lighting
2
Seat belts
2
Wheels
2
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

16

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

32011420122201372014220159201640201766201810020196620202420212920221320231820247202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-06-26
  • "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 leak and heavy smoke.…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-15
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while attempting to open to the front driver's side door from the inside of the vehicle, the contact heard an unknown part inside the door fall, and the door…"
    Latches, locks, and linkages, Structure · filed 2025-11-26
  • "The car experienced sudden engine failure, flashing check engine light. The car was towed to the nearest mechanic and knock sensor code P1326, consistent with recall 20V750, was present. Kia Corporate refuses to…"
    Engine · filed 2025-10-27
  • "VIN# [XXX] My recall has not been repaired because Kia claims the repair parts have not been made available to them yet. This recall is from Sept. 2023. Why hasn't this been taken care of yet? Ridiculous & DANGEROUS!!…"
    Engine · filed 2025-08-12

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Kia Sportage SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Kia Sportage SUV FWD 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Sportage two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 28 24 MPG $2700
Sportage two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 30 25 MPG $2600
Sportage two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Sportage four-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950
Sportage four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Sportage four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Four-wheel drive 19 25 21 MPG $3100

Specs and fitment

4th generation (QL), 2012–2021
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.4L and 1.6L turbo where equipped) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V907000. 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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. 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.

Compare

Next year 2013 Kia Sportage See every Kia Sportage model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Kia Sportage reliable?

The 2012 Kia Sportage has 392 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 5 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Sportage years here — under the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Hoses and fittings.

What are common problems with a 2012 Kia Sportage?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (328 of 392), then Electrical system (29) and Powertrain (21). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 16 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Kia Sportage more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Sportage has 381 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Kia Sportage been recalled?

The 2012 Kia Sportage has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 392 complaints about the 2012 Kia Sportage with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Kia Sportage get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Kia Sportage is 23 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Sportage take?

0W-20 (2.4L and 1.6L turbo where equipped)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-907 cover on the Kia Sportage?

NHTSA campaign 18V907000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Sportage?

4th generation (QL) (2012-2021).