Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 949 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls for the Kia Sportage. That averages 28.5 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.68 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #3 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 509% above the 2018 and 2019 models (127 early complaints per model year versus 23).
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (80.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (8.8). The 2023 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2019, 2021 and 2022 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (36.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (12.9%) and Interior & equipment (12.1%). Engine complaints are 1.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “engine”, “check”, “sunroof” and “consumption”. 110 complaints (11.6%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 56 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 286 complaints versus 215 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising. The 2023 model year generated the most recent reports (74). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 25 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 11 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2022 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan; Jeep Compass, Subaru Forester, Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet Equinox have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 162 | 18.7 | 0.44 | 33 | 0.37 | 29 | 3 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 69 | 9.0 | 0.21 | 13 | 0.16 | 18 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 159 | 23.8 | 0.57 | 25 | 0.44 | 53 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 50 | 8.8 | 0.21 | 13 | 0.21 | 19 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 46 | 9.8 | 0.23 | 22 | 0.3 | 13 | 1 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2023 Years to research carefully | 297 | 80.8 | 1.92 | 177 | 2.13 | 74 | 7 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 98 | 36.6 | 0.87 | 77 | 1.1 | 38 | 3 | Interior & equipment | View › |
| 2025 | 68 | 40.6 | 0.96 | — | — | 42 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 286 · Previous 12 months: 215 Rising
Problem areas
Interior & equipment ›
115 · 12.1% · 1.35 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- sunroof27
- shattered18
- exploded17
- stolen10
Brakes ›
71 · 7.5% · 1.23 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- brakes38
- hydraulic15
- rotors11
- distribution disconnect12
Other
47 · 5.0% · 2.74 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- hitches recall11
- trailer hitches11
- notification trailer10
- cruise control16
Transmission / powertrain ›
46 · 4.8% · 0.42 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transmission16
- check hybrid4
- lost11
- hybrid system5
Driver-assist systems
36 · 3.8% · 0.66 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- forward collision9
- lane14
- cruise12
- assist11
Steering
24 · 2.5% · 0.39 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering18
- wheel15
- stolen4
- column3
Airbags & seat belts
23 · 2.4% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- deploy10
- air bags10
- injuries9
- airbag8
Fuel system
18 · 1.9% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel12
- injectors3
- pump4
- trip3
Wheels, tires & suspension
10 · 1.1% · 0.42 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire6
- instability3
- loss control3
- pressure4
Lighting
9 · 0.9% · 0.61 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- rear turn3
- turn signals4
- bumper4
- headlights4
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- oil152
- engine320
- check158
- sunroof62
- consumption48
- hybrid system35
- stolen26
- change76
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 25 months
What owners report
My 2020 Kia sportage spontaneously caught fire. It started smoking about 1/3 mile from my destination. There were no dash lights on and the temperature gauge was not elevated and was below half so it wasn’t the engine overheating.
My 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV, brand-new with ~750 Miles, was in a low-speed collision with a parked vehicle when the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system failed. I was pulling out of a parking spot from a complete stop.
While driving 8/24/2026 on interstate engine light started flashing then staues on and car decelerated and knocking noise.Got to closest parking lot. Car would no longer move and turned it off. Contacted a tow.
I was driving my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid when the vehicle displayed a "Check Hybrid System"/ "Stop Safely" warning and suddenly lost motive power/acceleration. I was unable to accelerate normally.
I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 11
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 3
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (2) · 2020 (2) · 2021 (2) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (7) · 2024 (3) · 2025 (1)
Investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sportage model year has the most complaints?
The 2023 model year has the highest rate (80.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (8.8).
Is the Kia Sportage getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 509% above the 2018 and 2019 models (127 early complaints per model year versus 23). In the last 12 months owners filed 286 complaints versus 215 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising.
What are the most common Kia Sportage problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (36.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (12.9%) and Interior & equipment (12.1%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “engine”, “check”, “sunroof” and “consumption”.
How does the Kia Sportage compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #3 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan; Jeep Compass, Subaru Forester, Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet Equinox have more.
Does the Kia Sportage have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 11 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2022 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).