How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Kia Sportage?

NHTSA lists 18 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sportage, which is 11% of the 164 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 Kia Sportage?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2018 Sportage.

At what mileage do transmission issues typically show up on the 2018 Sportage?

The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 39,500 miles.

What kind of transmission symptoms do 2018 Sportage owners report?

Owners describe sudden RPM surges without a speed change, intermittent slipping out of gear, coasting with no acceleration despite pressing the gas, and unexpected downshifts into first gear.

Have these transmission complaints led to crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data for this area on the 2018 Sportage lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries.

2018 Kia Sportage Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 18 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Kia Sportage, 11% of its 164 total complaints. The median mileage at failure is 39,500, and no related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 18; 11% of 164
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 39,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners describe sudden RPM surges or engine revving with no matching change in speed, as if the transmission briefly disengages.
Some report the transmission slipping out of gear intermittently around 30-40 mph, momentarily losing acceleration while merging on highways.
Several describe the vehicle coasting or losing motive power when the gas pedal is pressed, with the engine revving but the transmission not responding for a few seconds.
Owners report shifting into reverse or park causing the vehicle to lose power, sometimes requiring a restart.
A few describe stalling or an inability to accelerate above 20 mph, sometimes with the check engine light on, requiring a tow to a dealer.
Some report the transmission unexpectedly downshifting into first gear, causing jerking or a brief loss of power before slamming into gear.

When 2018 Kia Sportage transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 23, 2018, latest Aug 16, 2026.

18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2018 (1).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Kia Sportage

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sportage model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20051 (1%)
20066 (5%)
20073 (4%)
200812 (12%)
20093 (4%)
20102 (10%)
201123 (13%)
201221 (5%)
201318 (5%)
20144 (3%)
20156 (4%)
20168 (6%)
201740 (10%)
201818 (11%)
20197 (10%)
20203 (2%)
20214 (8%)
20223 (7%)
202319 (10%)
20243 (4%)
20256 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Kia Sportage?: NHTSA lists 18 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sportage, which is 11% of the 164 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 Kia Sportage?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2018 Sportage.
At what mileage do transmission issues typically show up on the 2018 Sportage?: The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 39,500 miles.
What kind of transmission symptoms do 2018 Sportage owners report?: Owners describe sudden RPM surges without a speed change, intermittent slipping out of gear, coasting with no acceleration despite pressing the gas, and unexpected downshifts into first gear.
Have these transmission complaints led to crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data for this area on the 2018 Sportage lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries.