2017 Kia Sportage: Engine failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2017 Sportage report: engine failure. CarComplaints.com lists 10 owner complaints, average mileage 95,500 miles.
NHTSA has 229 owner complaints for the 2017 Sportage in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772249 (filed 10/19/2026): “Driving home noticed smoke from under the hood, pulled over noticed smoke coming through the vents inside the car. shut it off and got out called 911, they're were no warning lights or messages, the car was a total loss as i only carried liability, when fire t…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767043 (filed 09/25/2026): “While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." this created an immediate, severe collision hazard wi…”
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: replaced with new engine (5 reports) new head gasket and cylinder replacement (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $6,070 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .