2012 Kia Sportage: multiple warning lights

Filed Dec 24, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AR

The day I drove the car off the lot after purchasing (roughly 4 years ago) the low tire pressure sensor came on and I was unable to get it to go off. Mentioned it to the dealership whenever I went back for my first oil change and they told me they were able to “wake it up” whenever they checked the tire pressure. It continues to not accurately read if the tire pressure is low or not. A couple of months ago (summertime) my sunroof would not close. I finally got it to close completely after having to turn the car on and off multiple times and I have not risked trying it again since. The biggest issue I’m having now is about a month ago (November) I went to start my car and not only would the engine not turn over, but all the lights kept flickering as if the alternator was going out. I not only replaced the alternator, but also have to get a brand new battery because it was completely drained and would not jump within a day. Now, a couple days ago, I went to start it again and it did something similar - though after doing some troubleshooting I think it might be a bad starter this time that has now killed my battery. Both of these times my car did not show any type of warning lights. My concern comes from the fact that several recalls for the exact same make/model/year of the vehicle I’m driving have been coming out and one of them includes the engine just “freezing up” or “dies for no reason” including while people are driving at highway speeds. No recall has been posted for my specific VIN number yet, but I’m concerned it’s just a matter of time based on these continued issues I’ve been having.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Engine · 109,000 miles · KS

As driving down the highway at 65 we noticed a abrupt loss of power followed shortly after by several warning lights and vehicle engine shutting off. After safely pulling off side of road I popped the hood to look for any obvious issues non were found no smoke, smell of burning or hot, checked oil level which was fine. Got back in vehicle and it restarted fine but has a audible click noise, we decided to have the vehicle trailered home to prevent any further damage. When this took place there were no active check engine lights or any info on temp gauge that was out of the ordinary. The next day I checked the oil again and decided to start the vehicle once again started with no issue but has a audible click that gets louder with applied RPM. Went ahead and put in drive to check if transmission was functioning and appears to work in drive and reverse only moved a few feet then shut it off. We seen that kia has had several recalls over manufacturing defects for engines that cause these malfunctions but according to the dealer ours does not fall in that category.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Engine · 73,000 miles · PA

Only had my 2012 kia sportage for 1 year and 7 months and 73000 miles. Driving and all the lights came on flashing. Than the engine stopped. My mechanic said it was part of the recall and I had it towed to the kia dealership where I bought it. They said call kia corporate. Back and forth and now a pandemic. Car just sitting at the dealership and still making payments. They said my car is not part of the recall because my engine is a mpi theta 11 engine. Can you please look into the mpi theta 11 engine! And make kia do the right that and recall the engine. They are still able to sell these cars and make money. And the consumer is in danger!

Filed Feb 14, 2020 · Engine · 129,000 miles · MI

While driving down the road my car stalled and all dash lights came on. I was able to get to side of road. I thought it was a loose battery cable. Checked everything and tried to start and it turned right over. Then while driving I started to hear a knock then a boom and thud and the car shutoff. I was able to coast to the side of the road and wait for a tow. But now I have a 4 inch hole in the side of my engine and kia is saying my vehicles VIN is not on the recall list.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Engine · 100,600 miles · KS

1/1/2020 I was driving down the highway in the middle of nowhere kansas, hours from home. I had to stop for about 5 minutes because of a stretch of highway that was down to 1 lane for construction and had a temporary stoplight (instead of a pilot car). When it was finally my turn to go, my car started making a loud knocking sound, violently shaking, and wouldn't accelerate. Then all the warning lights and check engine lights turned on. I pulled over and called roadside assistance which towed me to the nearest mechanic. The mechanic said the engine was shot, the rods and stuff oroken, knocking a hole in the engine. I finally get it towed back home 1/3/2020 (hours away) and dropped off at the dealership. I finally hear back from the dealership 1/13/2020 and they confirm I need a new engine, but claim the current recall nor the manufacturer's warranty will cover the repairs (approximately 100,600 miles, only 600 miles over warranty). What I've read in my research of 3 recalls and about the class action lawsuit is exactly what has happened to my car's engine (except no fires thank goodness). I'm left with no car and no idea what to do.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Engine · 109,951 miles · CO · fire

I had been hearing a strange noise when pushing the brakes since august 2018, I had a lay person look at it who stated it was the wheel bearings and should be replaced. I took it to kia as I was still under warranty for 20 more miles and they said it wasn't the bearings and they could find no problems at all with the car. On feb. 20, 2019, 6 months later, I was driving with my son on the highway and started to hear a loud knocking noise at the base of the windshield under the hood and the speedometer started to falter. I tried accelerating and the knocking increased and all the lights on the dash went on and the speedometer began falling. I hurried to get over and off the highway as the smoke and burning smell was engulfing the front of the car. It completely died as I rolled to a stop with smoke pouring from under the hood. I towed it to kia who said they would do a diagnostic for $145. The tow driver gave me a lemon sized chunk of metal stating it looked like a piece of the oil pan as the flatbed was covered in oil. I had to call kia the next day to get a diagnosis. They said they didn't do one because just from looking at the hole in the oil pan, they could tell it had blown an engine rod. I was informed that even though this was a recall event because my VIN was not recalled they would do nothing for me.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MN

I am an original owner. I have been driving for around 6 years and 75k miles. Engine quit while I was driving the kia 2012 sportage on a highway. I was driving, as usual. I felt a bit bump(?). Suddenly, gas peddle did not functionally work(it worked physically push and release). The engine light and several lights came on. I moved on the side and turn it off. And then, I did try back it on. However, the engine did not respond. Finally, I had the sportage towed to kia service center

Filed Mar 15, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 38,800 miles · IA

Driving approximately 70 MPH on the interstate, a loud squeak sound occurred and all of the lights on the dashboard lit up and the engine promptly shut off and has since then been unable to start again. The kia dealership has informed me that the vehicle has internal engine failure. My concern is driving a vehicle at that speed and having it instantly shut off is a huge safety risk and liability, especially after hearing ir has happened to others with identical vehicles.