Kia Sportage Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Kia Sportage years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 90, 80, 95, 85, 100, and 75. No Sportage year earns a Best verdict; 2005-2007 rate Good, though those older years carry a data-completeness cap.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2017Avoid 2020Avoid 2023Avoid 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,009
- Recall campaigns
- 26
- Crashes reported
- 148
- Fires reported
- 171
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 0 | 68 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Fuel System | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 10 | 111 | 8 | 5 | 1 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 15 | 77 | 10 | 5 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 35 | 98 | 2 | 24 | 3 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 45 | 80 | 4 | 8 | 3 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 5 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 65 | 181 | 7 | 8 | 6 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 90 | 392 | 7 | 16 | 5 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 381 | 5 | 22 | 3 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 20 | 122 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 55 | 146 | 7 | 11 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 131 | 8 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 95 | 399 | 14 | 27 | 4 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 164 | 7 | 12 | 3 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 25 | 70 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 85 | 160 | 11 | 12 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 40 | 51 | 3 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 30 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 190 | 24 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 70 | 71 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 27 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 75 | 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 in the lineup, 100, from 190 complaints. Engine and Electrical System complaints each account for 24% of the total, with median failure mileages of 30,000 and 23,000. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, brake failures with airbag deployment, and collision-avoidance screens shutting off while driving. Six recalls apply, including a brake booster vacuum leak and an Idle Stop & Go controller fire risk.
2023 engine problems →2023 electrical system problems →2023 brakes problems →
2017 Kia Sportage Index 95 · 399 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Sportage has the second-highest complaint index at 95, with 399 total complaints. Engine issues account for 59% of complaints at a median mileage of 70,000, and Electrical System issues account for 19% at 56,500 miles. Owners report engine compartment fires while driving, vehicles rolling after being parked with the key fob removed, and airbags failing to deploy in frontal crashes. Four recalls apply, including a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit short-circuit fire risk.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 Kia Sportage Index 90 · 392 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2012 Sportage has a complaint index of 90 out of 392 total complaints, with Engine problems making up 84% of them at a median failure mileage of 100,000. Owners report brake pedal grip padding falling off and blocking the pedal, unintended forward movement while in park, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA recorded 16 fires and 5 recall-related campaigns, including an oil pan leak fix and an engine fire inspection covering fuel and oil leaks.
2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
2020 Kia Sportage Index 85 · 160 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2020 Sportage has a complaint index of 85 from 160 complaints, with Engine problems at 53% and a median failure mileage of 59,283. Electrical System complaints occurred much earlier, at a median of 9,250 miles. Owners describe engine compartment fires and smoke at idle, brakes resisting pressure during low-speed stops, and sudden unintended acceleration into stationary objects. Two recalls apply, including the HECU short-circuit fire recall.
2013 Kia Sportage Index 80 · 381 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Sportage carries a complaint index of 80 from 381 complaints, 82% tied to the Engine at a median failure mileage of 100,000. Owners describe engine fires and explosions, complete brake failure while approaching junctions despite pumping the pedal, and cabin fires starting under the driver seat. Three recalls apply, including a brake booster campaign and an engine bearing-wear recall covering machining errors from production.
2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2025 Kia Sportage Index 75 · 51 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Sportage has a complaint index of 75 from 51 complaints, the newest year to draw an Avoid verdict. Electrical System complaints lead at 29% with a median failure mileage of 9,005, followed by Engine complaints at 22%. Owners describe complete brake failure, airbags deploying on only one side after a rear-end crash, sudden unintended acceleration into a tree, and steering wheels that stop responding. One recall covers a tow hitch harness control module.
Most common Kia Sportage problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine1,627 (54%)
- Electrical System493 (16%)
- Other404 (13%)
- Brakes369 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain210 (7%)
- Structure & Body162 (5%)
- Airbags155 (5%)
- Fuel System152 (5%)
- Steering101 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers92 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Kia Sportage years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 90, 80, 95, 85, 100, and 75 respectively. Engine problems dominate most of these years.
- Is there a best Kia Sportage year?
- No Sportage year earns a Best verdict. The best-available years are 2005, 2006, and 2007, rated Good, though their verdict is capped because complaint records for those model years are less complete.
- What is the most common Kia Sportage problem?
- Across all 21 model years with data, Engine complaints make up 54% of the 3,009 total complaints, far ahead of Electrical System issues at 16% and Brakes at 12%.
- Does the Kia Sportage have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. Multiple model years, including 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2020, are covered by recalls tied to engine compartment fires, oil leaks, or short-circuiting electrical components that can ignite fires.
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Kia Sportage have?
- NHTSA lists 3,009 total complaints and 26 recall campaigns across the 2005-2025 Kia Sportage model years.