2012 Kia Sportage transmission problems

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WA · fire

I was driving eastbound in my 2012 Kia Sportage on I-82 just past Benton City MP97 at about 11AM on Monday June 22, 2026, when my engine knocked twice, the red check engine light came on, and I lost power. I pulled over off the road next to a concrete barrier that was beside a rock roadcut. My flashers would not operate, I put it into park, turned off the ignition and immediately noticed the smell of burning oil or rubber. I had 2 half gallon containers of water on my front seat, so I popped the switch, lifted the hood, used the prop rod to hold the hood up as I started dowsing the flames that were popping up on the passenger side of my engine compartment near the firewall. After using both half gallons, I ran to the rear of the vehicle, opened the hatchback, and grabbed a gallon spray bottle of water and brought that back around to the front of the vehicle. By this point the prop rod holding the hood was bending and the flames were popping back up, I pumped the sprayer and directed a stream of water with my left hand and used my right to hold up the hood as the prop rod was not working. After the fire was completely out, I returned to the rear of the vehicle, donned my reflective vest, put a portable flasher on my vehicle, and at this point a Benton County fireman in a pickup arrived - he was called by a motorist that saw me pulling over with smoke trailing my vehicle. The fireman was followed by a large firetruck and crew. They propped up the hood with a bar and inspected the motor to verify the fire was completely extinguished. They took my information and left. A Washington State Patrol arrived, assessed the scene and offered assistance, but I already had called my wife so he left me to wait for her. He told me I had 24 hours to get the car off the interstate. I had the car towed to my driveway by A&E towing at about 2:30PM. I just realized this morning that I ought to report it to you. I haven't tried to start it, but I'm sure it won't.

Filed Mar 30, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Was driving suv when sudden loss of power to engine, pulled off of highway and loss all power to electrical and to engine, I could smell something burning, upon further inspection after having suv towed to repair shop, I was informed that starter had melted and engine had seized up, I have contacted Kia dealership 3 times with no response from them, I also contacted Kia corp and no response, I also notified the BBB, I know there was a lifetime engine repair of this vehicle and some recall on bearings, I did have knock sensor done as required, I am looking for help in filing a complaint and copies of any recalls that were ever issued to this vehicle, I do not get recall notices sent to me, I own 4 cars, all Kia, other 3 not having issues yet, any help would be appreciated. Consumer stated the warranty has expired, but never received any notices of recalls.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Engine, Steering · 115,000 miles · TX

So since I purchased the vehicle around this time last year the feeling while driving my kia was smooth no vibration or notice coming from the car, I havent had any kind of accidents or hit any pot holes, so now a year into having the kia and keeping all the fluids, brakes, and tires changed I noticed before getting it services and having those listed changed there is a feeling in the steering front end of what I say feels like the tires are going to fold up under the car. When turning the steering seems to feel really loose and I have to correct it out of the direction I just turn to make the vehicle to correctly drive forward. It has pulled to the right for a long time and this is one of the reasons I replaced the tires. Also there is a ticking noise coming from the engine and after learning about a recall with this kia that cause the engine to catch fire I called and the vehicle has already had this issue repaired but it is making that clicking or ticking sound still and the exhaust has moisture coming from it only on the right passenger side and the pipe it completely black from whatever it is putting out ..

Filed Dec 6, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 69,123 miles · PA

On november 12 I purchased the kia sportage ex 2012 and it was transferred on november 16 from pittsburgh to the dhillon auto center workshop located at penndel pennsylvania being attended by the mechanic (the vehicle was stationary) who after performing the usual technical inspections found that the engine did not work properly and after a short period of ignition, it smoked intensely and went out almost immediately; insisting a couple of times more and continued checking other components of the ignition system after which he did not insist more and reaching the conclusion that the engine was internally damaged. Before which I felt frustrated and confused and without knowing who to turn to. Until doing the proper historical monitoring of this vehicle I find out that this car has a pending recall to be solved by kia. Therefore I come to you to know how to proceed and make the due claim for this pending recall

Filed Oct 7, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 83,000 miles · WA

Driving down freeway at 70 miles an hour when engine started knocking and car stopped, took to shop they said that two rods blew through the block and can't figure out why since there's still all the oil in car. Extremely scary to happen on freeway!! They are saying at 83,000 miles it's not covered since I'm the second owner- still owe money on car. Gonna cost 6,000 to fix since used engine is 4,000 and then u have labor. Can't believe kia is allowing so many to have this problem and they refuse to help.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Transmission · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to move from a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated to respond before lunging forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · PA

The hyundai 2.4l engine (g4kc, g4ke, g4kg, g4kj) belongs to the theta/theta ii engine family. It is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with multi-point or direct injection depends on the generation and in which vehicle it is used. Like other engines, hyundai shares this power unit with kia brand. The 2.4l is very similar to the 2.0l version of the same theta series, with slight differences due to the increased engine displacement and internal loads. The engine has aluminum open-deck cylinder block and aluminum cylinder head. The increased displacement was achieved by installing a new crankshaft with 97 mm stroke (two-liter engine has 86 mm stroke). The cylinder bore is also larger. In this case, the engine got new pistons with a diameter of 88 mm (instead of 86 mm pistons). The cylinder head has 4 valves per cylinder (16 valves total) and double overhead camshafts (dohc). The crankshaft drives the intake and exhaust camshafts by using a timing chain. The first theta engines use the continuously variable valve timing (cvvt) for intake timing only. The later generation, theta ii engine, is equipped with the variable valve timing system cvvt on both camshafts. There are not hydraulic lifters/tappets in the valvetrain of the 2.4l engine; it uses shimless bucket lifters (clearance adjustment is required about every 60k miles). Most of hyundai's and kia's 2.4 engines are equipped with multi-point fuel injection (mfi or mpi). The newest engines, named as 2.4 gdi, have direct injection.

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 Feb 22, 2020 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · PA

My 20 year old daughter was driving her 2012 kia sportage on the 30 bypass going 55 miles an hour when all of a sudden she had engine loss. Thank goodness she was able to safely get to the side of the road without getting hit or even killed. She was very scared. We had the car towed to a independent mechanic. He said the had catastrophic engine. The mechanic advised us to have it towed to the kia dealership where we purchased the vehicle a year and a half ago. Kia said that it would need a new engine costing $5000-$8000 to repair. How is it that our same year make and model have 3 recalls but our VIN number is not. When they sold us the car they knew it was a ticking time bomb and didn't care. Just wanted to make the sale. As the 2nd owner of the car they said they won't honor the factory warranty even if the salesman marked it on our paperwork that we do have it. Still getting the run around from them. Even if they do fix the engine I am scared to have my daughter drive it. Considering all the recalls and horror stories. Please look into this. I would not wish this on anyone!

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.