Model year record

2012 Kia Sportage

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 466 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-25
Owners notified
2024-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 20V750000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
294,756
Reported to NHTSA
2020-12-02
Owners notified
2021-01-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 19V101000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
32,296
Reported to NHTSA
2019-02-15
Owners notified
2019-07-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 18V907000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
71,653
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 17V224000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
618,160
Reported to NHTSA
2017-03-31
Owners notified
2017-06-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine335100,000 mi
Electrical system2581,000 mi
Unknown or other2393,000 mi
Power train2283,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic113,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system669,123 mi
Steering645,000 mi
Air bags421,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3106,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery216,132 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)245,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2170,000 mi
Exterior lighting26,955 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2103,841 mi
Seat belts241,416 mi
Structure: body2500 mi
Structure: body: door: handle: interior2103,841 mi
Wheels23,600 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator: integrated starter(other than propulsion)1127,000 mi
Electrical system: body control module/BCM193,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: instrument panel: fuel gauge1
Electrical system: starter assembly1150,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1137,005 mi
Structure15,699 mi
Visibility1500 mi
Visibility/wiper15,699 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear14,850 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly129,000 mi
Visibility: windshield15,699 mi

The 2011 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.