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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Sportage 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Kia Sportage: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

390Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
35Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine329 complaints

329 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 17V224000, 18V907000, 19V101000, 20V750000.

Electrical System30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V652000.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

17V224000Reported March 31, 2017 - 618,160 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 31, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 618,160 vehicles across all affected models.

18V907000Reported December 19, 2018 - 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 19, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 71,653 vehicles across all affected models.

19V101000Reported February 15, 2019 - 32,296 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on February 15, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 32,296 vehicles across all affected models.

20V750000Reported December 2, 2020 - 294,756 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 294,756 vehicles across all affected models.

23V652000Reported September 25, 2023 - 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 1,730,192 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ23002Opened November 17, 2023 - Open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22003Opened September 12, 2022 - Closed December 12, 2023

Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21003Opened December 22, 2021 - Closed February 5, 2024

Engine Fires. Resulted in recall campaign 23V877.

RQ17003Opened May 18, 2017 - Closed December 22, 2021

Scope and Timeliness. Resulted in recall campaign 17V224000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20113
20124
20132
20147
20152
20169
201739
201866
201999
202066
202124
202229
202313
202418
20257
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.