Representative model. Photo: Makizox, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 392
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine	2	–	Dec 2, 2020	20V750000 19V101000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Sep 25, 2023	23V652000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Engine and engine cooling	1	–	Mar 31, 2017	17V224000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202323V652000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Dec 2, 202020V750000	Engine An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V750000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
Feb 15, 201919V101000	Engine A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V101000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V101000 · Feb 15, 2019
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Mar 31, 201717V224000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V224000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component392

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

392Complaints filed

7Involving a crash

16Involving a fire

10Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	328	84	0	16	2
Electrical system	29	7	1	4	0
Unknown or other	23	6	0	3	0
Power train	21	5	2	2	1
Service brakes	11	3	1	0	3
Hydraulic	11	3	1	0	3
Fuel/propulsion system	6	2	1	0	0
Steering	6	2	0	0	0
Structure	4	1	0	0	1
Air bags	4	1	4	0	3
Visibility	4	1	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	2	1	0	0	0
Wheels	2	1	1	0	3
Exterior lighting	2	1	0	0	0

7 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Power train
“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.”
Filed 06/26/2026 · ODI 11746708
Engine
“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.”
Filed 06/15/2026 · ODI 11744253
Latches/locks/linkages
“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…”
Filed 11/26/2025 · ODI 11701684

Other Kia Sportage model years

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2012 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Sportage. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Kia Sportage recalls for?

The largest group is engine, with 2 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), engine and engine cooling (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 328 complaints out of 392 filed with NHTSA (84%). Across all complaints, owners reported 7 crashs and 16 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Kia Sportage?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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