2018 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Kia Sportage has a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 164 complaints, 3 recalls, and 12 fires, with Engine problems making up 61% of reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 164
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2018 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine100 (61%)
- Electrical System33 (20%)
- Other19 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (11%)
- Structure & Body13 (8%)
- Brakes12 (7%)
- Fuel System11 (7%)
- Steering9 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (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 compartments emit smoke or catch fire, sometimes while idling near a school zone or while driving at highway speed.
- Engine knocking noise appears suddenly along with dashboard warning messages before the vehicle stalls.
- Electrical wiring has ignited while the vehicle was parked, with the fire spreading through the car.
- Brakes reportedly failed to engage, in one case causing a rear-end collision, and in another the vehicle rolled down a driveway while in park.
- Steering column can allegedly be bypassed to start the vehicle without a key after a window is broken, raising theft concerns.
- Airbags reportedly did not deploy during a front-and-rear collision.
2018 Kia Sportage recalls
3 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.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Kia Sportage reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Sportage a complaint index of 60, ranking it 9th worst among 21 model years, which earns it a Caution verdict relative to other Sportage years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sportage?
- Engine issues make up 61% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 20% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 11%. Median mileage at engine-related failure is 28,250 miles.
- Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have engine fire recalls?
- NHTSA recall 18V907000 covers fuel pipe replacement on certain 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously had an engine replacement, and 9 fires were reported in the Engine complaint category.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sportage have?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Sportage, covering structure/body (tow hitch harness), brakes (HECU electrical short), and engine (fuel pipe) components.
- How does the 2018 Sportage compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 60, 2018 is less problematic than 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025, all of which carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes.