2012 Kia Sportage electrical system problems
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2012 Kia Sportage — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jun 26, 2026
“The car has been giving off a burning smell each time that I begin to drive especially if the heat is being utilized. The smell worsens as I drive a further distance.”
filed Apr 18, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
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…
PI2103_OWNR_501 · Other · issued Mar 11, 2026PRODUCT 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…
PI2103_OWNR_401 · Other · issued Jul 8, 2025
Electrical System problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 5 | 20% |
| 2025 Sportage | 15 | 31% |
| 2024 Sportage | 12 | 18% |
| 2023 Sportage | 44 | 24% |
| 2022 Sportage | 8 | 18% |
| 2021 Sportage | 6 | 13% |
| 2020 Sportage | 19 | 12% |
| 2019 Sportage | 10 | 14% |
| 2018 Sportage | 28 | 18% |
| 2017 Sportage | 62 | 16% |
| 2016 Sportage | 17 | 13% |
| 2015 Sportage | 18 | 12% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Kia Sportage
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.