YearToAvoid

2025 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2025 Kia Sportage has a Complaint Index of 75, ranking 6th worst of 21 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other Sportage years. NHTSA lists 51 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, 7 injuries, and the top problem area is the Electrical System at 29% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Sportage years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
51
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2007
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2025 Kia Sportage problems

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

  1. Other22 (43%)
  2. Electrical System15 (29%)
  3. Engine11 (22%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (22%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
  6. Brakes5 (10%)
  7. Steering4 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body4 (8%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers4 (8%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (6%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners describe the dashboard resetting and instrument gauges going blank for a few seconds, then returning with inaccurate readings.
  • Some drivers report the engine shutting off unexpectedly at speed, with the auto start-stop system flashing and beeping while steering and braking felt hindered until the engine restarted.
  • Several complaints describe the steering wheel or steering shaft decoupling entirely, resulting in a total loss of steering control.
  • One owner reported the transmission refusing to shift for uphill travel after an amber ISG warning light appeared, requiring the engine to be shut off and restarted.
  • A brake booster defect was reported to cause complete loss of braking power, leading to a crash.
  • One driver said the vehicle suddenly revved and lurched forward while parking, striking a tree despite no throttle input.
2025 Kia Sportage complaints: complaints filed per month7Feb 2025Jun 2025Sep 2025Dec 2025Mar 2026Jun 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2025 (7).

2025 Kia Sportage recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V874000Dec 17, 2025Structure & Body5,046 vehicles

    Trailer hitches

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.

2025 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
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.

2025 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
2023Avoid100190628
2024Caution7071327
2025Avoid7551127

All Kia Sportage years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Kia Sportage reliable?
Compared to other Sportage model years, the 2025 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years with a Complaint Index of 75, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA has logged 51 complaints and 1 recall for this year so far.
What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Kia Sportage?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 29% of complaints, including dashboard resets and instrument display issues, some occurring under 300 miles.
Does the 2025 Kia Sportage have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 25V874000 covers a tow hitch harness control module software issue on Sportage models with a 4.2-inch screen; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How many complaints does the 2025 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 51 complaints for the 2025 Sportage, with 4 crashes and 7 injuries reported and no fires.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Kia Sportage?
EPA rates the 2025 Sportage at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.

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.