YearToAvoid

2022 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2022 Kia Sportage carries a Caution verdict, ranked 15th of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 30 out of 100. Its verdict is capped due to a park-outside recall, even though its complaint index is relatively low. Engine problems make up 48% of complaints, including two fires.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
30/100
#15 of 21 Sportage years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
46
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
1 Park Outside
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2007
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2022 Kia Sportage problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine22 (48%)
  2. Electrical System8 (17%)
  3. Structure & Body6 (13%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (11%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers5 (11%)
  6. Other4 (9%)
  7. Fuel System3 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
  9. Airbags2 (4%)
  10. Brakes2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine compartment fires reported both while parked and while driving, with flames or smoke coming from under the hood.
  • Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems failed to activate before crashes, including one at highway speed.
  • Airbags did not deploy in some collision reports despite significant impact forces.
  • Engine starting problems occur intermittently, requiring multiple attempts and sputtering before catching.
  • A manual seat height adjustment lever made of plastic snapped off, locking the seat in place.
  • Owners reported the vehicle is a frequent theft target due to easy entry.
2022 Kia Sportage complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2022Jun 2022Mar 2023Aug 2023Feb 2024Dec 2024Jan 2026May 2026
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2023 (3).

2022 Kia Sportage recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2022 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
27 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.

2022 compared with other Sportage years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid85160223
2021Caution4051223
2022Caution3046123
2023Avoid100190628
2024Caution7071327

All Kia Sportage years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 30 out of 100 for the 2022 Sportage, ranking 15th out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict because of a recall, not because of an especially high complaint count.
What problems does the 2022 Kia Sportage have?
Engine issues account for 48% of complaints, including two reported fires, at a median mileage of 33,000 for failures overall. Electrical system issues (17%) and forward collision system failures are also reported.
Does the 2022 Kia Sportage have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 22V703000) covering a tow hitch harness issue shared with several Kia Sorento and Sportage model years, with a park-outside advisory.
Why is the 2022 Sportage rated Caution instead of Good?
Its verdict is capped to Caution because it has a Park Outside recall, even though its complaint index of 30 is lower than many other Sportage years.
How does the 2022 Sportage compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 30, the 2022 Sportage ranks better than years like 2023 (100), 2017 (95), and 2012 (90), which all carry Avoid verdicts.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.