YearToAvoid

2022 Kia Sportage Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#13 most-complained of 16 Sportage years

The 2022 Kia Sportage ranks 13th out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 20, making it one of the best Sportage years by NHTSA complaint volume. It has 46 complaints, 1 recall, and an Engine problem area covering 48% of complaints.

Complaints
46
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 27 hwy

Top 2022 Kia Sportage problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engine fires starting under the hood while the vehicle was parked or idling at a stoplight, with median mileage at failure around 51,000 miles for engine complaints.
  • Some owners describe the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking failing to activate during an actual collision, with airbags also not deploying.
  • One owner reported complete brake failure with no warning lights, resulting in a crash into a guardrail.
  • Owners describe the manual seat height adjustment lever snapping due to a plastic part failing.
  • One owner reported the engine failing to start consistently, taking multiple attempts and sputtering, along with random jerking or surging while driving.
2022 Kia Sportage complaints: complaints filed per month5Jan 2022Jun 2022Mar 2023Aug 2023Feb 2024Dec 2024Jan 2026May 2026
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2023 (5).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Caution60160223
2021Good2751223
2022Best2046123
2023Avoid100190628
2024Caution6771327

All Kia Sportage years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Sportage reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Sportage has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 13th out of 16 model years, placing it among the better years for this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Kia Sportage?
The top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 48% of complaints, including 2 reported fires. Electrical System issues make up 17% of complaints.
Does the 2022 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2022 Sportage, covering a tow hitch harness issue shared with certain Sorento models, advising owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.
How does the 2022 Sportage compare to other years?
The 2022 Sportage's complaint index of 20 is much lower than the worst years, such as 2023 (100) and 2017 (93), both marked Avoid, making 2022 a comparatively Best year.
Are there fire risks with the 2022 Kia Sportage engine?
NHTSA complaint data shows 2 reported fires tied to the Engine problem area, with one occurring at low mileage while parked and another near 51,000 miles.

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.