13 complaints reported

2012 Kia Sportage UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
13
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2024

Since Sep. 25, 2023 we received a recall notice advising to park our KIA vehicle outside and away from our home, other vehicles and buildings due to a serious fire hazard from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit short circuiting. We have ALWAYS parked our vehicle in our garage to deter theft and break-ins, stealing catalytic converters, hail damage, any other damage. This is our primary vehicle and the recall states that the fire can occur when the vehicle is in use, as well as when just parked. If it gets damaged due to continually having to park it outside who is responsible for the repairs? It has been 8 months since we received this recall and no remedy has been offered. I spoke with KIA dealership and they had no suggestions, yet the recall states that the HECU fuse needs to be replaced. How can we get a resolve to this dangerous issue?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
May 2024

It's been eight months without a remedy? I live in an apartment under Section 8. I'm disabled (profound deafness in both ears). I'd like to ask for help to remedy this situation because my paranoia isn't helping. Will my Kia vehicle burst in fire? Why isn't there a replacement for the HECU? Can I get another Kia vehicle to replace the one I have without breaking the bank? I'm on disability benefits and I don't have the funds to get another vehicle right now. For reference (see below) Summary KIA AMERICA, INC. HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2011-2013 MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES. THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. Safety Risk AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY. OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES OUTDOORS AND AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES OR STRUCTURES UNTIL THEY CAN HAVE THIS RECALL PERFORMED. Remedy WHEN THE REMEDY PART IS AVAILABLE, KIA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HECU FUSE. THIS RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. THE ESTIMATED TIME REQUIRED TO PERFORM THIS RECALL WILL BE APPROXIMATELY ONE (1) TO TWO (2) HOURS. (REFER TO SC284) " Manufacturer's Notes "SC284SL

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
Apr 2024

I have a recall for a Hydraulic electronic control module. However, Kia dealership told me there’s no remedy for this recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2024
Apr 2024

I was not aware of the HECU problem and did not receive a letter in Nov-23 or Mar-24 about the serious hydraulic electronic control unit that is starting fires with some Kia Sportage 2012 cars and others. The problem is listed as recognized in 09/2023 and it is now 7 months after this point. I called Kia Quirk in Braintree, MA and they were unable to provide me with the HECU fuse replacement unit for the ABS system. The NHTSA.gov website recommends that owners of vehicles included within the recall to not drive their vehicles and do not park near structures and/or other cars. But Kia Dealerships do not have the product to fix the problem that is cited as urgent. Please notify me as to what is the best remedy and more so, the dealership since you are unable to find 'the perfect solution,' is there a safe and tested solution that may be used instead to protect owners of vehicles. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] , 04162024 [XXX] USA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2024
Oct 2023

My 2012 Kia Sportage 2.0 gdi $70k miles seized & began smoking as if it was going to catch fire while driving down the interstate on 11/24/2022 and 132 miles away from home. After finally getting towed back home and $400 later, I contacted Kia Corporate who then advised I have it towed to Kia dealership. Moving on, the dealership advised my turbo blew up I contacted Kia Corporate who put in a claim under manufacturer defect…ughh to find out they denied the claim. When Coughlin Kia should have 1st informed me of why my turbo blew up and didn’t. The dealership was very adamant on insisting I pay over $5k to have turbo fixed. My car had seemed to be using/burning oil which then was causing a misfire on cylinder 1 and oil blowing all throughout the engine. Which results from …. Worn or damaged main bearings throw off an excessive amount of oil which flows along the crankshaft and is thrown up into the cylinders. My car does have the lifetime engine replacement warranty and I feel Kia is doing everything possible to avoid replacing the engine. I had picked my vehicle up from Kia Couglin had it towed to a local garage (another tow bill $150) who advised of above issues after replacing turbo another $2k I’ve put into the car and still don’t have a vehicle. I strongly feel this all falls under that lifetime warranty & I’m getting no where with Kia Corporate

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2022
Apr 2022

Metal fatigue is causing door hinges to split and splinter.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Mar 2022

No Recall information has ever been received, by mail or other ways by me. Kia Headquarters was recently called requesting this information, and has still not been received.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2022
Aug 2021

RECALL ON A/C CONDENSER ASSY-COOLER, MILEAGE 24188 DATED 4-30-2015, RECALL WAS COMPLETED. CLAIM #18-646G-444. AT THIS TIME THE A/C BLOWS HOT AIR, MILEAGE 63465. WE LIVE IN KENNER, LA TEMPS ARE IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH THE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. THIS IN MY OPINION POOR WORKMANSHIP ON KIA BEHALF, VERY DISAPPOINTING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Apr 2019

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND AS I REACH A RED LIGHT I STOPPED THE CAR TURNED OFF I TRIED TURNING IT ON 3 OR 4 TIMES BUT IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK . I OPEN THE HOOD AND A LITTLE SMOKE CAME OUT I HAD TO PUSH IT TO A SAFE PLACE AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY APARTMENT. I'VE TRIED TURNING IT ON BUT IT DOESN'T EVEN CRANK. THE RADIO AND LIGHT STILL TURN ON REGULAR. IT'S BEEN A PARKED ABOUT A MONTH . I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL BUT WHEN I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER IT SAID I HAD ZERO RECALL FOR MY CAR . CAN SOMEONE HELP ME I'M LOST AND I NEED MY CAR I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS PAYING INSURANCE AND IT'S ALSO TIME TO PAY REGISTRATION I'M FRUSTRATED AND IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GUIDE ME I WILL APPRECIATED IT THANKS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2019
Jul 2018

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT SAID THE ENGINE WAS BAD AND THE PARTS WERE RECALLED. WE WERE ABLE TO TOW THE CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY HAD SAID IT WAS POSSIBLY THE STARTER. WE REPLACED THE STARTER AS WELL AS ANOTHER PART AND THE CAR STARTED. ONCE TAKEN FOR A DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN SHUT DOWN. WE AGAIN HAD TO TOW THE CAR. NOW IT WON'T START.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2018
Mar 2018

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 KIA SPORTAGE ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO, ONLY 68,000 OFF THE LOT. HAS BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY FINE WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE. UNTIL LAST NIGHT HEADED BACK HOME, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING AND CLAMMERING NOISE THAT GOT LOUDER AS I COUNTINED TO DRIVE. I FIGURED AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES SHOULDN'T NOTHING POSSIBLY BE GOING WRONG. THE CAR FIRST STALLED OUT AND CUT OFF, THEN RESTARTED. DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT THINKING IT MAYBE LOW ON OIL BUT NO. RESEARCHED TO FIND THE UPSETTING AND POOR REVIEWS ON THE ENGINE FAILURE TO FAILED ROB BEARINGS WITHIN THE MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE SCRAP METAL LEFT INSIDE DURING ASSEMBLY. IN WHICH RESPONSIBILITY IS SOLELY ON THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO READ UP ON FORBES ARTICLE OF KIA RECALLING VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SITUATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2018
Oct 2017

AIR QUALITY. CAR CONSISTENTLY SMELLS LIKE MOLD AND MILDEW IN THE AIR VENTS DESPITE FREQUENT CHANGING OF FILTERS AND TREATMENT FOR MOLD AND MILDEW. CONDENSATION DOESN'T EVAPORATE AND MILDEW FORMS CREATING AN INDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUE IN THE CAR. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE FOR ANYONE WITH MOLD AND MILDEW ALLERGIES

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2015
May 2016

WINDSHIELD SEAL STRIP START PEELING FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVER SIDE .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2016

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Kia Sportage has 13 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.