2012 Kia Sportage Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 392 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Kia Sportage overview page.
What owners report
“ENGINE LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON ONLY 50,000 MILE LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR THREE HOURS HAD NO WARNING”NHTSA complaint 11183490 — filed 03/01/2019
“I PARKED MY CAR TO UNLOAD GROCERIES. MY CAR WAS ON BUT IN PARK. I WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF THE CAR TO THE PASSENGER…”NHTSA complaint 11132322 — filed 09/30/2018
“THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. (THIS HAPPENED APROX 5 TIMES) THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WOULD SOME TIMES BECOME…”NHTSA complaint 11115794 — filed 08/05/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Kia Sportage: 21 of 392 complaints on file (5.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Kia Sportage have in total?
392 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 7 involved a crash, 16 involved a fire, 10 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
