Kia Sportage years to avoid
More than twice the Sportage's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Kia Sportage years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Kia Sportage complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Kia Sportage problems
All model years combined.
- Engine1,995
- Electrical637
- Brakes599
- Fuel system464
- Transmission458
- Airbags294
- Body278
- Visibility226
- Acceleration192
- Steering160
- Suspension154
- Driver assistance151
Kia Sportage problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 31 | Driver assistance | 1,060 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2025 | - | 55 | Electrical | 18,000 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2024 | - | 75 | Electrical | 22,500 | 3 | 7 | |
| 2023 | - | 195 | Electrical | 26,887 | 6 | 24 | |
| 2022 | 88 | 47 | Engine | 33,000 | 1 | 6 | Fewest complaints |
| 2021 | 85 | 54 | Engine | 53,000 | 2 | 3 | Fewest complaints |
| 2020 | 65 | 169 | Engine | 13,000 | 2 | 11 | |
| 2019 | 85 | 71 | Engine | 32,000 | 2 | 3 | Fewest complaints |
| 2018 | 66 | 166 | Engine | 18,400 | 3 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 33 | 404 | Engine | 55,000 | 4 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 75 | 134 | Engine | 61,000 | 2 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 72 | 146 | Engine | 75,000 | 2 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 75 | 125 | Engine | 80,000 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 36 | 381 | Engine | 98,000 | 3 | 5 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 33 | 392 | Engine | 98,000 | 5 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 60 | 181 | Engine | 78,000 | 6 | 7 | |
| 2010 | 84 | 20 | Brakes | 83,000 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 80 | 80 | Electrical | 65,000 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 74 | 98 | Electrical | 82,000 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 79 | 77 | Airbags | 69,000 | 2 | 10 | |
| 2006 | 78 | 111 | Airbags | 72,000 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2005 | 84 | 68 | Fuel system | 78,600 | 3 | 6 | |
| 2003 | 95 | 4 | Fuel system | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2002 | 55 | 234 | Engine | 60,000 | 1 | 15 | |
| 2001 | 54 | 228 | Fuel system | 65,500 | 0 | 25 | |
| 2000 | - | 304 | Fuel system | 71,000 | 2 | 23 | |
| 1999 | - | 284 | Engine | 78,000 | 3 | 27 | |
| 1998 | - | 302 | Engine | 80,000 | 3 | 19 | |
| 1997 | - | 181 | Engine | 85,000 | 3 | 32 | |
| 1996 | - | 57 | Brakes | 79,000 | 3 | 12 | |
| 1995 | - | 56 | Engine | 2 | 2 |
Recalls 36
Kia Sportage warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Compare the Sportage
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Kia Sportage in the news
Questions about the Kia Sportage
What years of the Kia Sportage should you avoid?
2012, 2013 and 2017. Each has more than twice the Kia Sportage's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2017 alone has 404, mostly about engine and electrical.
What is the best year for a used Kia Sportage?
2022, 2021 and 2019 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (47, 54 and 71).
What is the most common problem with the Kia Sportage?
Engine, with 1,995 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (637) and brakes (599).
How many recalls does the Kia Sportage have?
36 recalls between 1995 and 2026. The 2023 model year has the most, with 6.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Kia Sportage?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history