10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 15
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 83,403 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine). While driving 70 mph, the contact heard a "growling" sound coming from the engine and the vehicle began to stall without warning. The speed began to decrease and the contact was able to pull the vehicle over. While placing the vehicle into park, the vehicle began to shudder and noises were heard from the engine compartment. The contact had the vehicle towed to vanguard Kia of arlington (1501 E interstate 20, arlington, tx 76018, (817) 375-2700) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 137,000.
- Ft. Worth, TX, USA
Car started making horrible noise and lost power while driving (in motion). Had it towed to a shop. According to mechanics, it was catastrophic internal engine failure. Metal shaving found in lower engine compartment.
- Folsom, CA, USA
Car only has 79,597 and I'm hearing knocking noises coming from under the hood. I have now received my recall in the mail
- Hill City, KS, USA
Complete and total engine failure. In a matter of 2 days when from engine knocking to total engine failure.
- Ferndale, MI, USA
With 88,110 miles on the car, while driving, the engine completely shut off. Upon stopping the car, and restarting the car, the car has a loud knocking noise. I took the car to the dealership and they said it needs a new engine, for $6800. After researching this issue, I have come to learn, it is very common among the 2012 Kia Sportage.
- Howell, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard an abnormal rattling, clunking noise and observed smoke coming from the engine. The instrument panel indicators illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and then to cooper Kia (5056 commercial dr, yorkville, NY 13495, (315) 736-6660). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by cooper Kia. The vehicle was then towed to fuccillo Kia (3900 state St, schenectady, NY 12304, (518) 847-0800) where it was diagnosed that a rod went through the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not assist. The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Wurtsboro, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 55 mph, all the instrument panel indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the engine made a knocking noise. The vehicle traveled approximately ten more miles before shutting down. The vehicle could not be restarted and was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine jumped and bent the valves. The mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced and the contact was informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised the contact to tow the vehicle to dorsch Ford Lincoln Kia (2641 eaton rd, green bay, wi 54311, (920) 469-3000). The manufacturer promised to reimburse the contact for the tow and the initial diagnostic test. The dealer verified that the engine needed to be replaced and wanted to charge the contact $9,100 for the repair. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine) and the dealer refused to pay for the towing, diagnostic testing, and repair. The failure mileage was 65,000.
- Landenberg, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 65 mph, the power steering began to fail. Subsequently, the entire engine failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road where it was towed to fuccillo Kia (3900 state St, schenectady, NY 12304, (518) 847-0800). The dealer diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired since it was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was provided the same information. The failure mileage was 103,000.
- Fort Plain, NY, USA
Engine seized while driving. There are other 2012 Kia Sportages under the engine recall but ours isn't even though it's the same problem. The engine seized and everything shut off causing us to have to pull over on side of the road in the middle of nowhere.
- Tavares, FL, USA
Driving to work when the car made a sudden knocking noise then completely shut off. I was on a curve in a road and this was a dangerous place to be broken down. I had the car towed to Kia gateway in warrington, pa. And was told the car had a catastrophic engine failure.there were no warning lights prior to this failure. I also have maintainted the car with proper oil changes and maintenance.
- Doylestown, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise without warning after returning from a trip more than 100 miles away. The contact notified phil long Kia (1020 motor city dr, Colorado springs, co 80905, (719) 425-2770) and they diagnosed that the engine assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the failure was similar. The vehicle was also not included in NHTSA action number: RQ17003 (engine). The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. While driving 70 mph, the contact passed an oncoming vehicle and heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rod bearing failed. The contact called santa ana Kia (1425 auto mall dr santa ana, ca 92705, (714) 384-3780) to schedule an appointment for a second diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
- Henerson, NV, USA
As I was driving down the 57 fwy in so California with my wife I attempted to pass a vehicle who was traveling slower than the rest of the fwy (under 55mph). Upon doing so I started to hear a knocking noise. (per myself and my mechanic its toasted the rod bearing). Being a mechanic for 20 yrs I knew that sound wasnt good. I pulled on the shoulder to verify I had motor oil. After checking oil level was good. I continued to exit the fwy. My car only has 114K miles. How does the waterpump last longer than the motor. While waiting for a tow truck I started to google this issue. After what I read I called Kia to only find out my car wasnt part of this recall. How is this possible? it is the same exact problem to which there is a recall. Car has been maintained regularly. To make matters worse we are moving out of state in 5 days. I would have never in a million years thought this car would blow the motor at 114K miles. Qhen the salesmen at the Kia dealership wrote my credit score on a piece of paper 60 points lower than what it actually was I should have walked away. There needs to be another investigation/ class action lawsuit for all Kia 2.4 that throw a rod bearing at suck low miles. This only happens due to faulty parts at this low of milage. The only reason I bought a Kia was they are were to be good cars. I will never buy one again. Ever
- Fullerton, CA, USA
On June 10,2019 I was exiting off a ramp from the highway making a left turn at approximately 35 mph while the car was in motion it just stalled. I pulled safely into a turn lane and the car started back up. I drove it to the Kia dealership and explained what happened. They told me I needed a new alternator. I replaced the alternator and 5 days later on June 15, 2019 while driving 60 mph down a highway in the passing lane it just died again. No noises were made with either stall, no knocking, no jerking. Absolutely no signs there was something wrong with the engine. I was able to get over safely, however this time the car didn't start back up. It was towed to a local shop and they told me the engine had failed. I asked why, they said they had no idea because the car is in excellent shape and they could tell it's been maintained. We had a second mechanic go to the shop for a second opinion. He thought maybe the timing belt. However, he said the engine was dead and the belt was not the cause because it was in good condition. Kia has an extended warranty for these engine failures, however, they will not fix my car. There are several reports of this exact situation. My car is the same make, model, year and falls within the mileage of the extended warranty coverage for engine failure and I just want the car fixed.
- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA
The engine had a major malfunction and no longer runs there was many metal fragments in the oil pan. This happened with no earring signs Kia says that there is no recall on the engine I would like to hear from someone regarding the issue
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
2012 Kia Sportage. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for vehicle repairs. The consumer stated while driving the vehicle shifts to neutral for 10 to 15 seconds. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for recall repair 19V101.
- Bellerose Manor, NY, USA
My 2012 Kia Sportage stopped abruptly on the right hand side of interstate 295 in NJ. I was just before the #20 exit. A large amount of oil drained from under my car. I called aaa and had it towed to Kia in cherry hill NJ. I was told the engine was completely ruined. It would cost me $6000. For a new engine. I had gone to Kia initially about three weeks ago5/15/19 because I received NHTSA recall nu: 19V101 and I was having some problems with my car. I had to keep putting oil into it. And it did not drive well. They had never heard of the recall but checked my car and said that the oil had been leaking out of the engine and was allover the underbody of the car. Inside the oil was badly mucked up and had to be thoroughly cleaned out and they had to take the engine out to do this. They would also replace the spark plugs although they were not bad but they had the engine out. It was called a defudge on the engine.this cost me $1,600 but they gave me a deal of $1,300 because I am a nice old lady. And they wanted to give me a break.the car was not good, it sputtered, and puffed out smoke as drove. It would not start right, and in town driving it would stall and sputter. I returned to Kia on 5/21/19. They recleaned it again. It continued to have problems and sputter when stating up. The day before the engine light went on but then went off again. 6/6/19 aaaflat bed delivered car to Kia and it is immobile. I am 74 years old I called Kia by 9:00am I was told to call aaa and they arrived at 10:53. I had been on the highway side of the road for 31/2 hr. I was in Kia for 6 hours waiting. I have had 4 Kia and never had this problem. There was not any indication given to me that the engine was in jeopardy. Only thing that was mentioned was they were trying not to have to replace some hoses? they are trying to help me out with the cost. It has 109.+ miles
- Woodstown, NJ, USA
As I was traveling from my home town to the airport in alt, my car began to lose speed. I didn't have enough speed to get to the next exit. Therefore I stopped on the side of the a very busy highway an called for a tow. I was towed to a service center where they replaced my transmission. At the end of my vacation, I picked up vehicle and drove back home. 3 weeks later, my engine failed while I was driving to work. Check engine light came on and it was making a loud whining sound. I took it to 2 different shops and was told the engine needs replacing. Tonight, I called Kia and was told to take vehicle to Kia for diagnosis. This vehicle is among the make model and year of those recalled for engine failure but my VIN is not specifically listed at this time. What do I do?
- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA
On May 18,2019 I was driving on I-10 westbound coming from tucson AZ headed to phoenix, AZ.at about 7:15 P.M. I heard strange sound from the car and so I pulled off to the side of the freeway. I saw smoke so my wife and I immediately got our 2 sons ages 23 months and 4 months out of the car. Two other vehicles stopped and the people said they saw smoke coming from our car and asked if we were O.K. the engine was on fire, I called 911 and the dispatcher alerted police and fire department. Our lives were put in serious danger. The car was towed to the dealership( camelback Kia in phoenix, AZ and they told us they could out a new motor in the car for $8,600 plus tax. This is not acceptable. We started researching and found out there was recalls on hundreds maybe thousands of 2012 Kia Sportages because the engines caught on fire. We were never told this prior to our car catching on fire. I feel the dealership intentionally misled us about the safety of the car and put our family in serious danger.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Pilot Hill, CA, USA