Kia Sportage problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 1,916 owner complaints and 23 recalls on file for the Kia Sportage (2005–2026). The 2017 Sportage has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.
- Complaints
- 1,916
- Recalls
- 23
- Model years
- 22
- Worst year
- 2017
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Kia Sportage years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2017 Kia Sportage — 315 complaints, 7 crashes, 21 fires; top problem: Engine
- 2023 Kia Sportage — 192 complaints, 24 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
- 2020 Kia Sportage — 159 complaints, 10 crashes, 12 fires; top problem: Engine
- 2013 Kia Sportage — 198 complaints, 2 crashes, 13 fires; top problem: Engine
- 2018 Kia Sportage — 131 complaints, 4 crashes, 11 fires; top problem: Engine
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2005 (4 complaints).
Every Kia Sportage model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 27 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2025 Sportage | 52 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 1 | Electrical System |
| 2024 Sportage | 73 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2023 Sportage | 192 | 24 | 1 | 14 | 6 | Electrical System |
| 2022 Sportage | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Engine |
| 2021 Sportage | 54 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | Engine |
| 2020 Sportage | 159 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 2 | Engine |
| 2019 Sportage | 62 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | Engine |
| 2018 Sportage | 131 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 3 | Engine |
| 2017 Sportage | 315 | 7 | 21 | 9 | 4 | Engine |
| 2016 Sportage | 104 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Engine |
| 2015 Sportage | 115 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | Engine |
| 2014 Sportage | 97 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine |
| 2013 Sportage | 198 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 3 | Engine |
| 2012 Sportage | 159 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Engine |
| 2011 Sportage | 62 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | Engine |
| 2010 Sportage | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes |
| 2009 Sportage | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2008 Sportage | 23 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | Brakes |
| 2007 Sportage | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes |
| 2006 Sportage | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Engine |
| 2005 Sportage | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes |
Most common Kia Sportage problem areas (all years)
- Engine1,023 complaints
- Electrical System286 complaints
- Brakes263 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain125 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion103 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech93 complaints
- Body & Structure92 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control63 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers57 complaints
- Airbags50 complaints
Complaint trend
Kia Sportage recalls
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Risk: Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Maintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Other Kia models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology