2011 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Kia Sportage has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 181 complaints, 6 recalls, and 8 fires, with engine problems making up 49% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 181
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2011 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine89 (49%)
- Electrical System43 (24%)
- Brakes29 (16%)
- Other24 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (13%)
- Fuel System10 (6%)
- Steering9 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine oil pan or bearing wear leads to sudden engine failure and, in some cases, fire around 87,942 miles.
- Electrical shorts near the dashboard produce smoke, burning odors, and unexpected stalling in traffic.
- Vehicles have caught fire while parked and off, with flames reported underneath the front of the car.
- Steering can suddenly become difficult to turn at low speed, leading to loss of control during turns.
- Brake failure combined with a check engine light has been reported while driving at low speed, resulting in a crash.
2011 Kia Sportage recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 19V101000Feb 15, 2019Engine32,296 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
2011 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2011 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Sportage reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Sportage a Complaint Index of 65, the 8th worst of 21 model years for this model, resulting in a Caution verdict relative to other Sportage years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sportage?
- Engine problems account for 49% of complaints (89 of 181), followed by electrical system issues at 24% and brakes at 16%. Median mileage at engine failure was 99,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Kia Sportage have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate engine-related recalls covering the 2011 Sportage, addressing oil pan leaks, fuel pipe issues tied to prior engine replacements, and bearing wear from manufacturing errors.
- Are there fire risks with the 2011 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA complaint data records 8 fires for this model year, with several owners reporting fires while the vehicle was parked and off.
- How does the 2011 Sportage compare to the 2012 and 2013 model years?
- The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 65 is lower than the 2012 (90) and 2013 (80) model years, both of which carry an Avoid verdict, making 2011 a relatively less problematic year despite its Caution rating.