2013 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Kia Sportage has 381 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst of 21 model years, with an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 82% of complaints, with 22 reported fires and a median failure mileage of 98,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 381
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 22
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2013 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine314 (82%)
- Other27 (7%)
- Brakes26 (7%)
- Electrical System22 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (5%)
- Fuel System9 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (2%)
- Structure & Body7 (2%)
- Airbags4 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine seizes or produces smoke, often preceded by loud cracking noises and oil leaks, sometimes catching fire while driving at highway speed.
- Vehicle stalls suddenly at highway speed, sometimes going completely dead with no restart before smoke appears under the hood.
- Electrical system failures lead to under-hood fires, including cases where the car catches fire while parked or while the gas pedal stops responding.
- Brake pedal reportedly fails to stop the vehicle even with repeated pumping, leading to a crash.
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy in a multi-vehicle collision, resulting in injuries.
2013 Kia Sportage recalls
3 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 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.
- NHTSA 17V224000Mar 31, 2017Engine618,160 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
2013 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 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.
2013 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Kia Sportage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Sportage ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 80 and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems make up 82% of its complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2013 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA data shows engine issues account for 314 of 381 complaints (82%), including reports of engine fires and seizure, typically around a median mileage of 100,000. Brakes, electrical system, and transmission issues make up smaller shares.
- Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2013 Sportage, two of which involve the engine, including campaign 17V224000 for machining errors causing premature bearing wear and campaign 18V907000 for fuel pipe inspection after prior engine replacement.
- How does the 2013 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than most other years except 2012 (90), 2017 (95), 2023 (100), and 2025 (75), all of which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- How many fires were reported for the 2013 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 22 fires reported for the 2013 Kia Sportage, mostly tied to engine and electrical system failures.