2014 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Kia Sportage has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 17th of 21 model years, but it carries a Caution verdict because it's covered by a park-outside brake recall. Owners most often reported engine problems (74 complaints, 61% share), with median failure mileage of 95,500 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 122
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2014 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine74 (61%)
- Brakes25 (20%)
- Other15 (12%)
- Electrical System8 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (3%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls without warning and can produce a burning smell, in one case leading to a needed engine replacement.
- Some engines hesitate or buck with white smoke from the tailpipe while driving, forcing hard acceleration to maintain speed.
- Panoramic sunroofs have shattered or exploded while driving on the highway, sending glass into the cabin.
- Airbags failed to deploy in crashes involving loss of control and rollover or guardrail impact.
- Air conditioning compressors have failed, sending hot air through the vents instead of cold.
2014 Kia Sportage recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V051000Feb 2, 2022Brakes126,747 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
- 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 14V023000Jan 27, 2014Other11,961 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured September 30, 2013, through January 11, 2014. The certification label has incorrect tire pressure information printed on it, listing a specification that is 1 or 2 psi below the correct information. Thus, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk: Maintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will correct the label information, and owners will also receive a sticker to put into the owners manual, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2014. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC103.
2014 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 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.
2014 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Kia Sportage reliable?
- It has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 17th out of 21 Sportage model years, with a Caution verdict driven mainly by engine complaints and a brake recall.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Kia Sportage?
- Engine issues dominate, accounting for 74 of 122 complaints (61%), with a median failure mileage of 95,500 miles.
- Does the 2014 Kia Sportage have a recall?
- Yes, three recalls: a park-outside brake HECU recall, an engine fuel pipe inspection recall tied to prior engine replacements, and a tire pressure label correction recall.
- Why is the 2014 Sportage rated Caution instead of based only on its complaint index?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because it has a park-outside recall for the brake system's hydraulic control unit, regardless of its complaint index.
- How does the 2014 Sportage compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 20, it ranks better than 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025, which are rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2005, 2006, and 2007, which are rated Good.