Kia Sportage years to avoid (and the best years)
2,601 NHTSA owner complaints and 21 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Hyundai Tucson
- 2,601complaints
- 21recalls
- 122reported crashes
- 127reported fires
- 118reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Kia Sportage years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Kia Sportage years to avoid are 2017, 2012 and 2013. The typical Kia Sportage year has 131 complaints on file.
- 2017: 399 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (57% of complaints) and the electrical system (16% of complaints).
- 2012: 392 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (84% of complaints) and the electrical system (7% of complaints).
- 2013: 381 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (82% of complaints) and the brakes (7% of complaints).
What are the best Kia Sportage years?
The Kia Sportage years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (46), 2021 (51) and 2019 (70). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 0.2× | 1 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2025 | 51 | 0.4× | 1 | 4 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 69 | 0.5× | 3 | 7 | 9 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 191 | 1.5× | 6 | 24 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 46 | 0.4× | 1 | 6 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 51 | 0.4× | 2 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 160 | 1.2× | 2 | 11 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 70 | 0.5× | 2 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 164 | 1.3× | 3 | 7 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 399 | 3.0× | 4 | 14 | 19 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 131 | 1.0× | 2 | 8 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 146 | 1.1× | 2 | 7 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 122 | 0.9× | 3 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 381 | 2.9× | 3 | 5 | 6 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 392 | 3.0× | 5 | 7 | 10 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 181 | 1.4× | 6 | 7 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 20 | 0.2× | 2 | 3 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 804 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain312 (39%)
- Electrical & infotainment144 (18%)
- Structure & body108 (13%)
- Brakes95 (12%)
- Other systems68 (8%)
Recalls (21)
Electrical system · 26V046000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2026
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.
Safety · 25V874000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
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.
Steering · 24V422000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 24V025000 · Jan 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V531000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Brakes · 23V410000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2023
A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V298000 · Apr 2023 · model year 2023
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.
Airbags · 22V878000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2023
A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V703000 · Sep 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 22V651000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2023
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 22V051000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Brakes · 21V137000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 20V750000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2012
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V101000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2011, 2012
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V907000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Engine · 17V224000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V862000 · Nov 2016 · model year 2017
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 15V360000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2011
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.
Safety · 14V023000 · Jan 2014 · model year 2014
Maintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V114000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
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.