Is the 2007 Kia Sportage reliable?

NHTSA data give the 2007 Sportage a complaint index of 15, the lowest among most other Sportage years, and it carries a Good verdict. That verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Kia Sportage?

The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 32% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 23% and Engine issues at 22%. Median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 68,000 miles.

Does the 2007 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 Sportage, both involving the Electrical System. One covers a stop lamp switch malfunction and the other is a broader electrical recall affecting multiple Kia models.

How does the 2007 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?

With a complaint index of 15, the 2007 Sportage ranks 18th worst out of 21 model years, meaning most other years have higher complaint indexes. Years like 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes.

Were there any airbag problems in the 2007 Kia Sportage?

Yes, NHTSA lists 13 Airbag complaints for the 2007 Sportage, 17% of all complaints, with four crashes reported and a median mileage at failure of 44,700 miles. Several owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and rollovers.

2007 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2007 Kia Sportage has a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict (capped due to incomplete records for 2005-2009). Owners mainly reported Electrical System issues (32% of complaints) and Brakes (23%).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index: 15/100; #18 of 21 Sportage years
Verdict: Good; vs. other years of this model
Complaints: 77; unique NHTSA reports
Recalls: 2; distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes: 10; reported in complaints
Fires: 5
Injuries: 8
Top issue: Electrical System
Best nearby year: 2006; rated Good

NHTSA overall rating: Not rated
EPA combined MPG: 21; 19 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths: 8 / 0

2007 Kia Sportage recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
NHTSA 09V130000Apr 17, 2009Electrical System139,844 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Huyndai-kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (esc) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 17, 2009. Owners may contact kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

2007 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost

City: 19 MPG
Highway: 24 MPG
Combined: 21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA): $3,100; 15,000 mi/yr
Fuel: Regular
Current regular gas: $4.32/gal; national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2007 compared with other Sportage years

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

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	0	68	3	21
2006	Good	10	111	1	21
2007	Good	15	77	2	21
2008	Caution	35	98	3	21
2009	Caution	45	80	3	21

All Kia Sportage years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Kia Sportage reliable?: NHTSA data give the 2007 Sportage a complaint index of 15, the lowest among most other Sportage years, and it carries a Good verdict. That verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Kia Sportage?: The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 32% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 23% and Engine issues at 22%. Median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 68,000 miles.
Does the 2007 Kia Sportage have any recalls?: NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 Sportage, both involving the Electrical System. One covers a stop lamp switch malfunction and the other is a broader electrical recall affecting multiple Kia models.
How does the 2007 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?: With a complaint index of 15, the 2007 Sportage ranks 18th worst out of 21 model years, meaning most other years have higher complaint indexes. Years like 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes.
Were there any airbag problems in the 2007 Kia Sportage?: Yes, NHTSA lists 13 Airbag complaints for the 2007 Sportage, 17% of all complaints, with four crashes reported and a median mileage at failure of 44,700 miles. Several owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and rollovers.