What 392 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

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.

NHTSA ODI 11746708

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER AT 7:30 PM ON SANTIAGO CANYON ROAD ORANGE, CA. WHEN I NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND AND CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE OF A LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE ROAD. I INSTANTLY PULLED OVER AND TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO GET OUT. THE CAR TOOK ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES TO TOTALLY GO UP IN FLAMES. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR OR ANYTHING ABOUT THE KIA SORRENTO WE ALSO OWN. NOW I WON'T BE DRIVING THAT CAR EITHER.

NHTSA ODI 11265649

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 SIDE TO UNLOAD THE. AT. THE DOOR WAS STILL LOCKED SO I WALKED BACK AROUND TO THE DRIVER SIDE UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND WALKED BACK AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I STARTED UNLOADING MY GROCERIES, MY CAR STARTED ROLLING/ DRIVING AWAY. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AS THIS WAS HAPPENEING. AS I CHASED MY CAR I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY PASSENGER DOOR AND GET IT OPENED, THE CAR WAS STILL IN THE PARK. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED MY CAR WAS THE FRAMING OF A GARAGE. I HAVE MULTIPLE WITNESSES THAT SAW MY CAR IN PARK, AND WATCHED IT DRIVE AWAY. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR ANY LONGER.

NHTSA ODI 11132322

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GEAR PLACED IN PARK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE ALSO OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN THE EVENT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO JUMP FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES, TRAPPING THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES THE ARMS, SHOULDERS AND RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

NHTSA ODI 10450350