2017 Kia Sportage Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
95/100
#2 most-complained of 21 Sportage years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 Kia Sportage has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems drive 59% of its 399 complaints, with 27 reported fires and 4 recalls including a brake fire risk.
- Complaints
- 399
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 27
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2017 Kia Sportage problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine234 (59%)
- Electrical System74 (19%)
- Other73 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (10%)
- Structure & Body31 (8%)
- Brakes28 (7%)
- Fuel System24 (6%)
- Airbags16 (4%)
- Steering9 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine fires starting with smoke from under the hood, sometimes spreading quickly to the passenger compartment.
- Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration that led to at-fault crashes.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact collisions, including one at highway speed.
- Owners describe the vehicle rolling out of park unexpectedly after being parked and locked.
- Brakes reportedly stopped the vehicle without warning while driving in traffic, in one case triggering a chain-reaction crash.
2017 Kia Sportage recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
- NHTSA 21V137000Mar 4, 2021Brakes379,931 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
- 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.
2017 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 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.
2017 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Kia Sportage reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Sportage a complaint index of 95, the second-highest (worst) among 21 model years, and it carries an Avoid verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Kia Sportage?
- The engine is the top problem area, accounting for 234 complaints, or 59% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 and 20 reported fires.
- Does the 2017 Kia Sportage have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Sportage, covering the tow hitch harness, a brake control unit that can short-circuit and cause an engine bay fire, and an engine-related fuel pipe inspection.
- How does the 2017 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?
- Only the 2012 (index 90), 2013 (80), 2020 (85), and 2023 (100) also carry Avoid verdicts; the 2017's index of 95 ranks it worse than all of those except 2023.