Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Sportage, based on complaint index scores and recall activity relative to other Sportage model years.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as Avoid years for the Outlander. The 2012 Outlander is the only model year rated Best.

Does the Sportage or Outlander have more complaints?

The Sportage has 3,009 total complaints over 21 model years (143 per year on average), compared to 1,148 complaints over 20 model years for the Outlander (57 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has more recalls, Sportage or Outlander?

The Outlander has 35 total recall campaigns versus 26 for the Sportage, despite the Outlander having fewer total complaints.

Which gets better fuel economy, Sportage or Outlander?

The Outlander averages 23.9 mpg combined across its model years versus 22.9 mpg combined for the Sportage, per EPA data.

Kia Sportage vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Sportage years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025, while Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid are 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Sportage logs 3,009 total complaints across 21 model years (143 per year) versus Outlander's 1,148 across 20 years (57 per year), though Outlander carries more recall campaigns (35 vs 26). Neither total is sales-adjusted.

Head to head

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 ★

Mitsubishi Outlander

Model years: 2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints: 1,148
Per model year: 57
Recall campaigns: 35
Years to avoid: 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2012
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

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	Sportage				Outlander
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	68	3	21	Good	19	1	21
2006	Good	111	1	21	Good	21	1	21
2007	Good	77	2	21	Caution	125	9	19.5
2008	Caution	98	3	21	Caution	58	12	21
2009	Caution	80	3	21	Caution	46	13	21
2010	Caution	20	2	21	Caution	60	10	21.5
2011	Caution	181	6	23	Caution	58	8	23
2012	Avoid	392	5	23	Best	22	6	23
2013	Avoid	381	3	23	Good	26	5	23
2014	Caution	122	3	22.5	Caution	45	4	26
2015	Caution	146	2	22	Good	52	5	26
2016	Caution	131	2	22	Avoid	145	8	26
2017	Avoid	399	4	23	Caution	51	6	26
2018	Caution	164	3	23	Caution	57	6	25.5
2019	Caution	70	2	23	Good	29	5	25.5
2020	Avoid	160	2	23	Avoid	31	3	25.5
2021	Caution	51	2	23	—	—	—	—
2022	Caution	46	1	23	Avoid	215	7	26
2023	Avoid	190	6	28	Avoid	47	2	26
2024	Caution	71	3	27	Avoid	26	1	26
2025	Avoid	51	1	27	Good	15	1	26

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Sportage, based on complaint index scores and recall activity relative to other Sportage model years.
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as Avoid years for the Outlander. The 2012 Outlander is the only model year rated Best.
Does the Sportage or Outlander have more complaints?: The Sportage has 3,009 total complaints over 21 model years (143 per year on average), compared to 1,148 complaints over 20 model years for the Outlander (57 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, Sportage or Outlander?: The Outlander has 35 total recall campaigns versus 26 for the Sportage, despite the Outlander having fewer total complaints.
Which gets better fuel economy, Sportage or Outlander?: The Outlander averages 23.9 mpg combined across its model years versus 22.9 mpg combined for the Sportage, per EPA data.