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 as high as 100 in 2023 and 95 in 2017. No Sportage model year earns a Good or Best verdict, largely because of recall campaigns across the lineup.

Which GMC Terrain years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2020 as Avoid years for the Terrain, with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 87 and 80 respectively. In contrast, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 rate Best, with complaint indexes as low as 0 to 20.

Does the Sportage or Terrain have more complaints?

The Terrain has a slightly higher total, 3,079 complaints versus 3,009 for the Sportage, and a higher per-model-year average of 192 versus 143. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Which SUV has better fuel economy, the Sportage or Terrain?

The GMC Terrain averages 24 mpg combined across its years, slightly better than the Kia Sportage's 22.9 mpg combined average, based on EPA figures.

What are the top complaint categories for each SUV?

For the Sportage, Engine complaints lead at 54% (1,627 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 16%. For the Terrain, Engine also leads at 43% (1,315 complaints), followed by Visibility & Wipers at 16%.

Kia Sportage vs GMC Terrain: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Sportage owners should be cautious of 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025, with no year earning a Good or Best verdict. GMC Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2020, but 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 rate Best. Terrain edges Sportage slightly on combined MPG (24 vs 22.9).

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 ★

GMC Terrain

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 3,079
Per model year: 192
Recall campaigns: 21
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.5 ★

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				Terrain
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	68	3	21	—	—	—	—
2006	Good	111	1	21	—	—	—	—
2007	Good	77	2	21	—	—	—	—
2008	Caution	98	3	21	—	—	—	—
2009	Caution	80	3	21	—	—	—	—
2010	Caution	20	2	21	Caution	290	3	21.5
2011	Caution	181	6	23	Avoid	386	4	19.5
2012	Avoid	392	5	23	Avoid	364	4	21.5
2013	Avoid	381	3	23	Avoid	364	3	21.5
2014	Caution	122	3	22.5	Good	296	2	21.5
2015	Caution	146	2	22	Caution	297	3	23
2016	Caution	131	2	22	Good	152	2	23
2017	Avoid	399	4	23	Good	133	1	23
2018	Caution	164	3	23	Caution	220	5	27
2019	Caution	70	2	23	Caution	185	3	27
2020	Avoid	160	2	23	Avoid	196	2	25
2021	Caution	51	2	23	Best	35	2	26.5
2022	Caution	46	1	23	Best	60	2	26.5
2023	Avoid	190	6	28	Best	39	2	26
2024	Caution	71	3	27	Good	49	1	25.5
2025	Avoid	51	1	27	Best	13	0	26

Complaint Index by year

Kia Sportage

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

GMC Terrain

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

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 as high as 100 in 2023 and 95 in 2017. No Sportage model year earns a Good or Best verdict, largely because of recall campaigns across the lineup.
Which GMC Terrain years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2020 as Avoid years for the Terrain, with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 87 and 80 respectively. In contrast, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 rate Best, with complaint indexes as low as 0 to 20.
Does the Sportage or Terrain have more complaints?: The Terrain has a slightly higher total, 3,079 complaints versus 3,009 for the Sportage, and a higher per-model-year average of 192 versus 143. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
Which SUV has better fuel economy, the Sportage or Terrain?: The GMC Terrain averages 24 mpg combined across its years, slightly better than the Kia Sportage's 22.9 mpg combined average, based on EPA figures.
What are the top complaint categories for each SUV?: For the Sportage, Engine complaints lead at 54% (1,627 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 16%. For the Terrain, Engine also leads at 43% (1,315 complaints), followed by Visibility & Wipers at 16%.