2012 Kia

Sportage 4WD

Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo

Kia Sportage: best and worst years

Overview

Body: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain: 4-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission: Automatic 6-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain: GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel: RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP: 260
Power to weight: 0.082 hp/lb
Axle ratio: 3.32
Cyl: 4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration: TurbochargedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy: 25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City: 20 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb: 22 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr: $2,850EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score: 5/10
Elec. Range: 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
SmartWay certified: No

Dimensions & capacity

Length: 175 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width: 73 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height: 65 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase: 104 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight: 3,157 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
GVWR class: Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating: ★★★★★
Rollover rating: ★★★★★
Stability control (ESC): Standard
Forward-collision warning: No
Lane-departure warning: No
Recalls: 5
Owner complaints: 392 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries: 10
Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

23V652000 Park outside Sep 25, 2023 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICKia America, Inc.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 1,730,192

Full notice

20V750000 Dec 2, 2020 ENGINEKia 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…

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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 294,756

Full notice

19V101000 Feb 15, 2019 ENGINEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 32,296

Full notice

18V907000 Dec 19, 2018 ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine…

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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 71,653

Full notice

17V224000 Mar 31, 2017 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGKia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 618,160

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

ENGINE72%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5%
POWER TRAIN5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 453 total.

Kia Sportage: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
EA21003opened Dec 22, 2021ENGINE
Engine Fires
RQ17003opened May 18, 2017ENGINE
Scope and Timeliness

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

171 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

Mar 11, 2026ENGINEPI2103_OWNR_501
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2103 FLIGHT #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2011-2013 MY Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit
Feb 19, 2026STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312_R1
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integr
Dec 19, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2311_OWNR_PC201
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Prior notifications stated that this modification had to be performed by July 1, 2025, but the subject vehic
Dec 18, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In
Dec 17, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2312_OWNR
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at th
Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for
Jul 8, 2025ENGINEPI2103_OWNR_401
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI203) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2011-2013 MY Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (“ECU”).
Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
and 163 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic: 5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain: 10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance: 5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery: 10 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.