2018 Kia Sportage Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Sportage years
The 2018 Kia Sportage has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 164 complaints, 3 recalls, and the Engine is the top problem area with 100 complaints (61% share).
- Complaints
- 164
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2018 Kia Sportage problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Engine compartments produce grey or black smoke and catch fire while driving or idling, in some cases after a knocking noise and warning lights appear on the dashboard.
- Owners report sudden loss of motive power and stalling accompanied by a burning odor before the vehicle catches fire.
- Electrical wiring has caught fire while the vehicle was parked at home.
- Brakes reportedly fail to engage or the vehicle rolls out of park unexpectedly, leading to collisions.
- Some owners describe simultaneous loss of steering and braking control resulting in a crash.
- The steering column has reportedly been defeated without a key, allowing the vehicle to be started and stolen.
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 shows the 2018 Sportage has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Sportage years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Kia Sportage?
- Engine problems make up the largest share of complaints at 61%, with 100 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 28,250 miles, including reports of engine fires.
- Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Sportage, covering the Structure & Body (tow hitch harness fire risk), Brakes (HECU short-circuit fire risk), and Engine (fuel pipe replacement) systems.
- How does the 2018 Kia Sportage compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 53 is worse than 2019 (7), 2021 (27), and 2022 (20), but better than 2017 (93) and 2023 (100), which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Kia Sportage?
- The 2018 Sportage gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (21 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.