Which years should I avoid for the Dodge Durango and Kia Sportage?

For the Durango, NHTSA data points to avoiding 2005 and 2011-2014. For the Sportage, avoid 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025.

Does either model have a year with no recommended year at all?

The Kia Sportage has no Good or Best year across its 21 model years with data; the Durango does have Best-rated years (2023-2025).

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Durango has 7,194 total complaints versus 3,009 for the Sportage, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

How do fuel economy figures compare?

The Durango averages 16.8 mpg combined across its years while the Sportage averages 22.9 mpg combined, a notable gap favoring the Sportage on fuel cost.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the Durango, Electrical System complaints lead at 38% of all complaints, followed by Fuel System at 26%. For the Sportage, Engine complaints dominate at 54%, followed by Electrical System at 16%.

Dodge Durango vs Kia Sportage: Which Years to Avoid

The Dodge Durango shows 7,194 total complaints (360 per model year) across 57 recall campaigns, with 2005, 2011-2014 flagged Avoid. The Kia Sportage shows 3,009 total complaints (143 per model year) across 26 recalls, with 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025 flagged Avoid and no year earning Good or Best. Totals aren't sales-normalized, so they can't be compared directly as rates.

Head to head

Dodge Durango

Model years: 2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints: 7,194
Per model year: 360
Recall campaigns: 57
Years to avoid: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Best years: 2023, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 16.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Kia Sportage

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 3,009
Per model year: 143
Recall campaigns: 26
Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2025
Best years: —
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Durango				Sportage
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	1,567	8	14	Good	68	3	21
2006	Caution	852	9	14	Good	111	1	21
2007	Caution	191	4	15	Good	77	2	21
2008	Caution	97	2	15	Caution	98	3	21
2009	Caution	12	4	15.5	Caution	80	3	21
2010	—	—	—	—	Caution	20	2	21
2011	Avoid	799	8	17	Caution	181	6	23
2012	Avoid	640	10	17.5	Avoid	392	5	23
2013	Avoid	640	11	17.5	Avoid	381	3	23
2014	Avoid	782	11	18	Caution	122	3	22.5
2015	Caution	503	4	18	Caution	146	2	22
2016	Caution	161	3	19	Caution	131	2	22
2017	Caution	211	2	19	Avoid	399	4	23
2018	Good	232	5	17	Caution	164	3	23
2019	Good	142	4	17	Caution	70	2	23
2020	Good	55	2	17	Avoid	160	2	23
2021	Caution	202	8	17	Caution	51	2	23
2022	Good	56	7	17	Caution	46	1	23
2023	Best	30	2	17	Avoid	190	6	28
2024	Best	14	0	17	Caution	71	3	27
2025	Best	8	0	17	Avoid	51	1	27

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Dodge Durango and Kia Sportage?: For the Durango, NHTSA data points to avoiding 2005 and 2011-2014. For the Sportage, avoid 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025.
Does either model have a year with no recommended year at all?: The Kia Sportage has no Good or Best year across its 21 model years with data; the Durango does have Best-rated years (2023-2025).
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Durango has 7,194 total complaints versus 3,009 for the Sportage, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
How do fuel economy figures compare?: The Durango averages 16.8 mpg combined across its years while the Sportage averages 22.9 mpg combined, a notable gap favoring the Sportage on fuel cost.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the Durango, Electrical System complaints lead at 38% of all complaints, followed by Fuel System at 26%. For the Sportage, Engine complaints dominate at 54%, followed by Electrical System at 16%.