2012 Kia Sportage: Rats ate the wiring
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Sportage report: rats ate the wiring. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 44,000 miles.
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints for the 2012 Sportage in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11746708 (filed 06/26/2026): “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 …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11655352 (filed 04/18/2025): “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.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: wiring replaced (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $900 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .