NHTSA has received 164 owner complaints about the 2018 Kia Sportage, or 18.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.46, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #33 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 46% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 69% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2018-05-24 and 2026-09-19. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
164Complaints
18.7Complaints per year on the road
0.46Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls · ⚠ 2
11.0%Share involving a crash or fire
29Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 9.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 33 complaints, 62% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (58.5% of complaints), followed by Electrical (10.4%) and Unspecified or other (6.7%). Engine complaints are 2.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 18 reports (11.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 61 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (51% of incidents). In the last 12 months 29 new complaints were filed, versus 24 in the 12 months before — up 21%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (audit query, opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.46
vs. other Kia models0.54
vs. other 2018 models0.4
vs. other Compact SUVs0.31
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (33)0.38
Shortly after driving away, before reaching a highway on-ramp, I noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. I turned around and returned to the location.
Engine · 2026-09-10 · ODI 11763274 · Fire
1. Component or System Malfunction & Availability Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire).
Engine · 2026-05-26 · ODI 11740223 · Fire
I purchased a 2018 Kia Sportage and ever since the last few years the paint is starting to come off of this vehicle. I do not go through any type of car wash. I washed it at home.
Body & structure · 2025-11-01 · ODI 11696946
This vehicle has a safety issue with the headlights. Basically, the low beams for both, driver and passenger sides are not functioning at all.
Electrical · 2025-10-16 · ODI 11693945
Passenger outside rear view mirror the paint is peeling. It’s the original rear view mirror. Vehicle looks brand new except for that mirror.
Unspecified or other · 2025-09-02 · ODI 11684576
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Campaign 18V907000 · 2018-12-19
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
AQ23002 · audit query · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Opened 2023-11-17 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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…
