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2012 Kia Sportage engine complaints

Page 5 of 12: complaints 101 to 130 of 330, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Kia Sportage engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 29, 2020 · Engine · 170,666 miles · TX

The motor locked

Filed May 24, 2020 · Engine · PA

Has a bad knoockin the motor.

Filed May 21, 2020 · Engine · 89,753 miles · NV

Driving vehicle on the freeway (I-80) at 65 miles an hour to work from my home and the vehicle started shaking and lost power. I immediately pulled to the shoulder of the road and called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with lower engine failure. Kia corporation has a recall on 2012 kia sportage for lower engine failure but the corporation told me that my vehicle is not affected by the recall.

Filed May 17, 2020 · Engine · 103,543 miles · PA

Driving on a bridge ar 40 MPH where all the sudden the engine lost all power and locked up on a busy birdge. When this happen the car lost all engine power will not crank smoke was comeing from the starter. Car engine has proper oil,proper oil level. Had the car towed and the shop said the engine is locked up and that kia has a huge engine problem.

Filed May 12, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The check engine light illuminated after the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact linked his failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. Ricart kia (4255 s hamilton rd, #210, groveport, oh 43125) was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed May 5, 2020 · Engine · 105,000 miles · CA

Hi, on 04/24/2020 while driving on the highway at 60mph my kia broke down completely and lost the acceleration, a lot of oil was dripping from under the kia, and a lot of smoke came out from the hood. I brought my mechanic and confirmed me the engine blew out due to an oil leaking. I send the SUV to kia dealer in cerritos, ca as it had an open recall due to an oil pan issue. They just notified me the dpsm manager review my case and declined repairs under warranty. All that info was provided to me by victor representative at kia dealer. And I requested via email a report of the reason from the refusal to repair the engine. Victor did not provided me no report and just texted me it was due to a connecting rod that went through and block, and it was a lack of lubrication. That sounds hard to believe from my side and my mechanic as no engines fail due to a connecting rod issue. That's for I'm submitting this claim. I had a case number just incase is needed #13629204 and my contact info is per below if you need to reach me. Name: [xxx] tel# [xxx] email: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 4, 2020 · Engine · 109,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently and ceased with an abnormal sound in the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to ferguson kia located at 1501 n elm pl, broken arrow, ok 74012, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2020 · Engine · 85,447 miles · AZ

The vehicle has 85447 miles. Driver was driving down the road when they heard a loud clanking noise followed by a complete failure and seizing of the lower engine mechanism. All this occurred in a few minuets time span. The car was in motion on a rural hwy when the engine seized. Car and driver were stranded on side of the hwy requiring the need to be towed. Upon research, I believe this is related to the current scv147 or 17v224000 recall. Kia motors recall line was contacted and they stated that this car is not listed as part of the recall listed above. The description of events of other drivers leads me to believe that this is similar in nature. I believe this should be researched further and the current recall should be expanded. The vehicle acts as if the lower bearing gave out prematurely.

Filed Mar 23, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 119,800 miles · KS

Before this happened thought I heard a slight tapping sound like a rocker arm but didn't hear again day or two before as I would top a hill left my home. A couple of days later while driving on a city street in traffic engine died or shut off. Behind another car I had to turn out of my lane to avoid the rear-ending vehicle in front with no power steering struck a curb to my left oncoming lane coasted back on road crossed both lanes to the right finally coming to rest in small gravel lot of closed building. Put car in park and tried to start would not turn the engine over. I thought I damaged starter when I jumped curb. That night had towed to my home less than five mins away $90.00 bought starter puton tested old one, no good. Probably from trying to start over and over. Finally got motor to turn over sounded ok. When for test drive then motor made large knocking noise, I shut off quickly, had towed to mechanic shop.they inspected and determined motor had internal damage. $52.00 quote to replace motor 9,000.00 generally speaking conversation over the phone .(weekend) monday missed work no car. 27.00 hourly 8 hours. I had car put on trailer carried home following weekend $60.00. I bought this car new in 2012 had oil changed at first until kia stripped out my drain plug and didnt tell me. So did it myself from then on. Never had one issue with this car untill this in one day.

Filed Mar 19, 2020 · Engine · 73,000 miles · PA

Got a call from a guy named colloto, kia corporate today. He said that they got my complaint from the federal safety agency. And that if my 2012 kia sportage engine gets recalled I would get a certified letter in the mail. That was it. Ok so you got my complaint. Now what?? I have been going back and forth taking to the dealership and kia corporate. Nobody knows anything, pointing fingers, getting the run around. Absolutely no compassion a no resolutions. Kia is getting away with not recalling my car because my engine (dohc mpi theta-ll)! Kia is saying it has to be gdi theta ll. I have never felt so let down by a company! They absolutely know what they are doing is criminal. My daughter could have been killed when the engine blew! She is only 20 years old. I don't understand how they could sell us a car that they knew was a ticking time bomb. Even if it does get the recall, I would be afraid that the dealership would not fix it correctly. They are mad that we are not opting to just buy another car to fix the problem.

Filed Mar 15, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 133,600 miles · KY · fire

This information is from mechanic: engine began to smoke, vehicle drove into parking lot, put in park, opened hood, grey/green smoke noticed, engine would not restart. Mechanic stated that the engine seized up - would not restart - had to be towed to mechanic.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Engine · 112,000 miles · WA

I was driving on the highway and got over to pass in the left lane and as soon as I gave it gas, my car died and I had to coast back over onto the shoulder.

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Engine · 129,806 miles · TX · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. Contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, without warning the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact with help from a bystander pushed the vehicle off of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle started the next day and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to demontrond kia located at (14101 north freeway, houston, tx 77090, (281) 872-3859) where it was diagnosed and determined that the keyfob need to reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer for a 2nd diagnosis which determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number 19v101000 (engine) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 129,806. *bf

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine · 107,000 miles · WA

Our 2012 kia sportage ex 2.4l theta ii mpi engine with 107k miles started knocking and jolting while driving. After being able to get home without any incidents. Kia tells us it has rod bearing issues. Kia then explains that even though the car was well maintained and rod bearing failures are a huge problem with these engines they won't cover it because it is not the gdi. Kia corporate needs to see that not just there gdi engines are trash but so are the mpi. Stand behind your product kia and expand your recall to all 2.4l theta ii engines

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine · 113,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, a loud knocking noise was coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and loss motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer tempe kia (8005 s. Autoplex loop. Tempe az) who diagnosed that the engine bearing rod failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Engine · 72,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound without a warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, opened the hood and noticed the engine was covered with engine oil. The vehicle was towed to sterling kia located at (125 southcity pkwy, lafayette, la 70503) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v101000 (engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Engine · 86,076 miles · CA

On 02/15/2020,I noticed a knocking on right side of engine,I made a a appointment with folsom lake kia on 02/16/2020 for 02/18/2020. Explained to service department my concerns about engine knock on right side of engine, one tech said sounds like rod bearings,where I thought sounded like idler pulley just behind alternator. So after dropping off tech said we will check next day when engine was cold, I received a call on the 19th saying it was the tensioner pulley, which was under warranty, so I said replace it. They had to order parts and that they had a loaner car for me, so back to dealership I go (21 miles each way), I got another call on the 21st wanting me to come back and listen to engine with the belt off ,don't know want that has to with it. They said we still have to order parts, will call you when ready. On the 26th of february they called an said it's done come pick up. I had to send my wife due to I work nights, she called me when she got home and said she believes engine is still making knocking noise. Dealership replaced tensioner pulley ildler pulley and new belt. Idler pulley and belt not under warranty had to pay $129 fpr an $80 pulley and $40 belt. I'm still upset that when I took car in the first place tech said all was covered under warranty.10/100mile. Also while the many days I was in contact with service department they said they were sending data collected from diagnostic tests to kia multiple times. So I have made another appointment with a different dealership closer to home for march 2nd(I went to folsom lake because that's where I purchased new in 2012} I believe the engine is coming apart internally and do not want my wife to drive it. When car is first started, put into drive engine makes knocking noise stationary and in motion, at first noise would go away when it got to operating temperature noise would quiet down some. Getting worse

Filed Feb 26, 2020 · Engine · 105,000 miles · NY

Motor seizure valve and cam shaft affected

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Engine · 45,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at driving 55 MPH, when she noticed the oil light come on and saw smoke. When she pulled over and checked the hood she saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the hood. The contact quickly got her granddaughter out and quickly ran away from the vehicle. The vehicle exploded into flames. The vehicle made popping noises as it was on fire. The police and fire company came and put out the flames. A police report was filed and there were no injuries and the vehicle was towed by the city to an unknown location. The insurance company has yet to officially total the vehicle since the incident happened yesterday on a sunday. The contact had learned of numerous reports from the internet of kia vehicles catching on fire. The dealer west herr kia (3565 southwestern blvd, orchard park, ny 14127 (716) 239-4859) offered to get her into a new vehicle. The manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The vehicle was purchased used on 07/2019. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Engine · IA

Tl* the contact called on behalf his daughter who owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was notified the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Feb 11, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 15 miles · PA

Knocking noise coming from engine, have taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic as well as kia dealership service department both diagnosed the problem as needed a new engine ($5000-7,000). This vehicle 73,000 miles, oil changed at every 5000 miles. There is no explanation or reasonable cause of engine failure except for manufacturing. Only had the 1 1/2 years. Dealership told us only option is to buy a new car from.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NH

Hi I came home on lunch one afternoon the car drove perfectly fine no issues what's so ever. About an hour passed and it was time to go back to work so I put the key in the ignition and they car never started again. It sounded to me like it wasn't getting any fuel so I thought I'll change the fuel pump..that's when I learned that there was a fuel pump from a polaris artticat snowmobile that was used by the manufacturer which ok I thought was funny at the time but finding a replacement part was a nightmare..I finally found a replacement part which I just had to get a whole new fuel pump and assembly but when it didn't start after that I didn't know what to do. I took it to vip and had them take a look they called me back the next day and said they had no clue what was wrong with it and that I needed to come grab it and bring it to the dealer where I bought it from. That's when I learned the engine somehow stopped getting compression and that blew up merchants said I needed a new engine that's $7,000 and when I went to find one that's when I found out it's discontinued gee wonder why so then I go to kia and tell them now I found out there's all these recalls out on kia sportages but my VIN# doesn't match now how does that work so now I'm out a car and $7,000 and still paying on a car I don't have any more. So how am I to fix a discontinued motor and a polaris artic cat snowmobile fuel pump. By the way I've had the car less than 2 years and only put 30,000 miles on it ridiculous.

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Engine · 81,000 miles · OH

Blinking engine light while driving

Filed Jan 17, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · UT

My wife and I were on our way to park city, ut for a family get together and after we dropped off our stuff at the hotel we headed to heber city, ut. On our way, the car started making a ticking sound when the gas pedal was pushed. And then the car died, without any warning. The next day we went and had the car towed to a kia dealership and they determined that the engine had seized up and that I needed a new engine. I have had this car for 8 months, and it only has 108,000 miles on it. Kia refuses to take ownership of their defective product!

Filed Jan 15, 2020 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CT

On sunday (11/3) I was driving my 2012 kia sportage (a car we purchased used from kia of east hartford, ct and currently only has 68,000 miles on it) on a very busy interstate when the engine began to power down. I was barely able to make it to the shoulder of the road before the car seized up, a loud bang sounded from under the car, it began to smoke from underneath the car and oil covered the ground. The car was then towed to our local auto body shop where it was determined that the engine block suffered a quarter-sized hole from something being dispelled at a high rate of speed from the engine. When this was determined, we did some research and found there as a recall and we were never notified (see below). Vin #[xxx]. We were told by the kia dealership that whatever caused our car to just stop working on the interstate?was not covered under the recall. It seems very suspect that given what exactly happened, this is not part of the recall. After much debate and over a month later still without a vehicle, kia has told us they will supply the parts but that we were still be responsible for the $3,000+ of labor. I?m sorry, but kia should stand behind their cars & engines. Again, we only have 68,000 miles on our car. We don't agree with the directive of having to pay the labor fees. We would like someone to review this complaint and provide some direction for us. I have tried on multiple occasions to talk to someone beyond the mechanic & first line rep, but have not received a response from anyone at kia. This is the case # [xxx]for kia. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. [xxx]. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Engine · 101,003 miles · NJ · fire

So he star to used all the oil without reason the dealer check the motor ad say the motor burn the oil but he cannot find the problem so 2 day after I was running 80 km when the car turn on engine light im parking and turn off the car towing the car dealer say engine broke down because was no breathe, el mecanico dijo que el flujo de motor de aceite a los cojinetes e las bielas se desgatastaron y por ende fallo el motor.

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 Jan 2, 2020 · Engine · 100,000 miles · WI

August 2019, I took my vehicle into my dealership after having driven the car for only four months for them to tell me that the radiator overheated and the engine blew and that I would have to pay $4000+ to get it fixed. I purchased my vehicle late march - early april 2019 and was not notified of any sort of recall concerning this issue. When I took my vehicle in early august the recall was still not brought to my attention and they were going to charge me for maintenance for an issue that was clearly common for my particular vehicle.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Engine · 109,880 miles · OK

While accelerating through a traffic controlled intersection the engine suddenly quit working. I was barely able to coast to a safe location. However, due to the heat of the day I almost had a problem with heatstroke while waiting on a tow truck. (fortunately I was able to find someplace to cool off while waiting). I am glad it happened there instead of on the highway at 70 MPH while between towns.

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