Kia Sportage Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Kia Sportage years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2023, each with a complaint index of 80 or higher and engine problems dominating. The best years are 2010, 2014, 2019, and 2022, all with complaint indexes of 20 or below.
Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2017Avoid 2023Best 2010Best 2014Best 2019Best 2022
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,575
- Recall campaigns
- 20
- Crashes reported
- 118
- Fires reported
- 127
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sportage Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Sportage problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 47 | 181 | 7 | 8 | 6 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 87 | 392 | 7 | 16 | 5 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 381 | 5 | 22 | 3 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 13 | 122 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 40 | 146 | 7 | 11 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 33 | 131 | 8 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 93 | 399 | 14 | 27 | 4 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 164 | 7 | 12 | 3 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 7 | 70 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 160 | 11 | 12 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 27 | 51 | 3 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 190 | 24 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 67 | 71 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 27 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 73 | 51 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 27 | 5★ |
Sportage years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 Kia Sportage Index 100 · 190 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2023 Sportage has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 190 complaints and 24 crashes reported. Engine and electrical issues each account for 24 percent of complaints, with brakes at 18 percent and collision avoidance/camera issues at 17 percent, at median mileages between 10,000 and 30,000 miles. Recalls covered a brake booster vacuum leak, a faulty Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller, and loosening roof molding. Owners described unintended acceleration, screens shutting off while driving followed by braking problems, and a stuck accelerator leading to a crash.
2023 engine problems →2023 electrical system problems →2023 brakes problems →
2017 Kia Sportage Index 93 · 399 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Sportage has a complaint index of 93, the second highest across all years, with 399 complaints. Engine problems make up 59 percent of complaints at a median mileage of 70,000, while electrical issues account for 19 percent at 56,500 miles. Recalls covered a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit short-circuit fire risk and tow hitch harness issues. Owners reported vehicles catching fire while driving, a parked vehicle rolling into a tree after the gear allegedly came out of park, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. This year recorded 27 fires and 19 injuries.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 Kia Sportage Index 87 · 392 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2012 Sportage has a complaint index of 87, the third worst of any year, with 392 total complaints. Engine problems account for 84 percent of complaints, at a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles. Kia issued recalls covering an engine compartment fire risk and an oil pan leak that could cause engine damage. Owners also reported brake pedal grip padding falling off and interfering with pedal operation, and cases of the vehicle moving out of park unexpectedly. NHTSA lists 16 fires and 10 injuries tied to this model year.
2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
2013 Kia Sportage Index 80 · 381 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Sportage carries a complaint index of 80 with 381 complaints, driven mostly by engine issues, which make up 82 percent of reports at a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles. Recalls addressed engine bearing wear from manufacturing errors and fuel pipe inspections tied to prior engine replacements. Owners described engine fires and explosions, brake failure despite pumping the pedal, and a fire that started under the driver seat at 28,000 miles. NHTSA records 22 fires for this year.
2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →2013 electrical system problems →
Most common Kia Sportage problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine1,539 (60%)
- Other383 (15%)
- Electrical System377 (15%)
- Brakes277 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain185 (7%)
- Fuel System123 (5%)
- Structure & Body121 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers79 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras73 (3%)
- Airbags71 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Sportage should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2023 Kia Sportage. These years have complaint indexes between 80 and 100, the highest among all 16 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Kia Sportage?
- The 2010, 2014, 2019, and 2022 Kia Sportage rank best, with complaint indexes of 20 or lower and among the fewest complaints per year, based on NHTSA data.
- Does the Kia Sportage have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine issues make up 60 percent of all 2,575 complaints across model years, and are the top problem area in most avoid and caution years, including 2012, 2013, and 2017.
- Are there fire risks with the Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA recall data shows fire-related recalls for the 2012, 2013, and 2017 Sportage, including engine compartment fire risks and a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit short-circuit issue. The 2017 model year recorded 27 fires in complaints.
- Is the 2023 Kia Sportage reliable?
- The 2023 Sportage has the highest complaint index (100) of any Sportage model year and 24 reported crashes, based on NHTSA data, making it a year to avoid relative to other Sportage years.