Kia Sportage problems by year
| Year | Common issues | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 | 2 |
Top NHTSA complaint areas (2010–2025)
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1488 |
| Unknown Or Other | 407 |
| Electrical System | 400 |
| Service Brakes | 286 |
| Power Train | 212 |
| Hydraulic | 159 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 129 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 128 |
Source: NHTSA complaints API, per model year (linked on each year’s issue pages).
Kia Sportage problems by system (all years)
Systems with sourced problem pages in two or more model years. Pages list NHTSA owner complaints and CarComplaints.com reports for that year.
Engine (14 model years)
- 2025: Engine complaints (10 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Engine complaints (15 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Engine complaints (22 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Engine And Engine Cooling complaints (7 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Engine complaints (29 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Engine bearings failure KSDS issue
- 2020: Engine complaints (85 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Engine complaints (39 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Knocking noise
- 2018: Engine complaints (96 NHTSA reports)
- 2018: Engine failure
- 2018: Engine revs excessively
- 2017: Engine failure
- 2017: Excessive oil consumption
- 2016: Engine complaints (63 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Engine complaints (84 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Engine light flashing
- 2015: Engine making loud noise accelerating over 5 mph
- 2014: Engine complaints (75 NHTSA reports)
- 2014: Failed head gasket-exhaust gas in coolant
- 2014: Stalling while driving
- 2013: Blown engine
- 2013: Died while driving
- 2013: Engine complaints (313 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Engine stopped working while driving
- 2012: Excessive engine noise
- 2011: Repeated engine failure
Electrical (8 model years)
- 2025: Electrical System complaints (19 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Electrical System complaints (25 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: No power to both turn signals but hazards work
- 2022: Electrical System complaints (8 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Electrical System complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Rats eat soy based wiring
- 2019: Hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) problem
- 2017: Rodent damage to engine harness made of soy
- 2012: Rats ate the wiring
Brakes (3 model years)
- 2016: Service Brakes complaints (38 NHTSA reports)
- 2011: Master cylinder failure
- 2010: Service Brakes complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
Steering (3 model years)
A/C / heater (2 model years)
- 2023: Direct from factory defective air conditioner
- 2016: Air inlet actuator knocks
- 2016: Smoke coming from A/C into car
Forward Collision Avoidance (2 model years)
- 2025: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (14 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
Transmission (2 model years)
Page last updated .