Kia Sportage Reliability: Best and Worst Years

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV and one of Kia's longest-running models in the United States. Early versions were rugged truck-like SUVs, while later generations became car-based crossovers with front- or all-wheel drive. Recent versions have added hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains alongside gasoline engines, and U.S. models have been built in Georgia since the 2023 redesign. This page lines up every Kia Sportage model year from 2010 to 2024 on one scale, so you can see which years drew unusual numbers of owner reports and which stayed quiet.

Why these years stand out

2012: most complaints. The 2012 Kia Sportage scored 1078 complaints per 100,000 sold, 4.7 times the model average. Of its 392 complaints, 351 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are engine (328), electrical system (23) and power train (21). NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year and 4 defect investigations.

2013: most complaints. The 2013 Kia Sportage scored 1156 complaints per 100,000 sold, 5 times the model average. Of its 381 complaints, 331 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are engine (301), electrical system (22) and service brakes, hydraulic (19). NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year and 4 defect investigations.

2017: most complaints. The 2017 Kia Sportage scored 555 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2.4 times the model average. Of its 404 complaints, 271 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are engine (222), electrical system (59) and power train (40). NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year and 2 defect investigations.

2019, 2021 and 2022: fewest complaints. The 2019 drew 71 complaints, or 80 per 100,000 sold; The 2021 drew 54 complaints, or 57 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 46 complaints, or 37 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.

What Kia Sportage owners report most

Engine complaints lead for the Kia Sportage, at 57% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 65%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.

When problems are reported: mileage

1,247 Kia Sportage complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 29% were reported before 50,000 miles and 35% after 100,000. A large share comes after 100,000 miles, where wear items and age-related failures become more common.

Kia Sportage compared with other compact suvs

In 10 of 15 model years the Kia Sportage drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average compact suv we track for the same year. For 2024, the Kia Sportage scored 61 against a class average of 65. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.

Kia Sportage generations

• 2005-2010
  Second generation

  2.0L four; 2.7L V6 · Manual; 4-speed automatic

  This generation shared its platform with the first Hyundai Tucson and returned the Sportage to North America after the 2002 model year.

• 2011-2016
  Third generation

  2.4L four; 2.0L turbo four · 6-speed automatic

  The redesign brought a lower, sleeker body and dropped the V6 option.

• 2017-2022
  Fourth generation

  2.4L four; 2.0L turbo four · 6-speed automatic

  A facelift arrived in mid-2019 as an early 2020 model with redesigned headlights and bumpers.

• 2023-2024
  Fifth generation

  2.5L four; 1.6L turbo four hybrid; 1.6L turbo four plug-in hybrid · 8-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic (hybrids)

  The North American version uses a longer wheelbase and is built in West Point, Georgia, instead of being imported from South Korea.

A 2.0L turbocharged engine was offered alongside the 2.4L four in the third and fourth generations. U.S. fourth-generation models were offered in LX, EX and SX trims.

Kia Sportage fuel economy

The 2026 Kia Sportage is rated at 24 to 42 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.

Crash test stars

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Kia Sportage these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2012: 4-5, 2013: 4-5, 2014: 4-5, 2015: 4-5, 2016: 4-5, 2017: 5, 2018: 5, 2019: 5, 2020: 5, 2021: 5, 2022: 5, 2023: 5, 2024: 5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.

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