Kia Sportage Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Sportage model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (20) and the 2017 the most (401).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
20 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 20–22 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
27 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24–36 |
| 2022 | 46 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
52 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
53 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
70 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
71 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2007 | 77 | 2 | Air bags | — | 19–22 |
| 2009 | 80 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 | 98 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 19–22 |
| 2014 | 123 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2016 | 132 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2015 | 146 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 | 161 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2018 | 164 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2011 | 181 | 6 | Engine | — | 22–25 |
| 2023 | 191 | 6 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–35 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
381 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 21–25 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
392 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 21–25 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
401 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Sportage years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2017 Kia Sportage: 401 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 220 (55%); Electrical system 62 (15%); Power train 41 (10%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 27 fires, 19 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Kia Sportage: 392 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 328 (84%); Electrical system 29 (7%); Power train 21 (5%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 16 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 98,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Kia Sportage: 381 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 301 (79%); Service brakes 25 (7%); Electrical system 22 (6%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 22 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 98,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Kia Sportage years with the fewest complaints
2010 Kia Sportage: 20 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 6 (30%); Air bags 4 (20%); Seat belts 3 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 6 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Kia Sportage: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 23 (43%); Electrical system 6 (11%); Engine and engine cooling 6 (11%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Kia Sportage: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 36 (51%); Electrical system 10 (14%); Fuel/propulsion system 7 (10%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 32,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Sportage owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 71 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 191 | 24 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 26,887 |
| 2022 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 53 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2020 | 161 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2019 | 70 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2018 | 164 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 18,400 |
| 2017 | 401 | 14 | 27 | 19 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2016 | 132 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 61,000 |
| 2015 | 146 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2014 | 123 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2013 | 381 | 5 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 98,000 |
| 2012 | 392 | 7 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 98,000 |
| 2011 | 181 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2010 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 83,000 |
| 2009 | 80 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2008 | 98 | 2 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2007 | 77 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 69,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Kia Sportage recalls
- HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2010–2013 model years; 1,730,192 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V652000)
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2007–2011 model years; 980,377 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V114000)
- Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure (2011–2013 model years; 618,160 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V224000)
- Engine Compartment Fire (2017–2021 model years; 379,931 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V137000)
- Engine Damage May Cause Fire (2012 model year; 294,756 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2020; 20V750000)
All 36 Kia Sportage recall campaigns · Kia Sportage problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Kia Sportage years FAQ
Which Kia Sportage year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (20). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Kia Sportage years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2017, 2012 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Kia Sportage problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,475 of 2,866 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns covering the Kia Sportage. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Sportage recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.