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2010 Kia Sportage problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Kia Sportage is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical Sportage model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
84/100
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
24
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
20-22mpg

The worst 2010 Kia Sportage problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    6
  • Airbags
    4
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Engine
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    6
  • Airbags
    4
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/moduleReported September 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk
An engine compartment 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 replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 1, 2013 · 980,377 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Recall number 13V114000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Kia Sportage

Defect investigations

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpened November 17, 2023, still open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V‑520, 20V‑543, 21V‑161, 21V‑160, 21V‑303, 22V‑056, 22V‑810, and 23V‑651. Kia recalls 16V‑815, 20V‑518, 20V‑519, 21V‑137, 21V‑331, 22V‑051, 22V‑800, and 23V‑652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

AQ23002

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Kia Sportage 24

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 24 bulletins for the 2010 Kia Sportage

2010 Kia Sportage fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD202522
2.0L 4‑cyl4WD192421
2.7L 6‑cylFWD182320
2.7L 6‑cyl4WD182320

What 2010 Kia Sportage owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 24, 2024 · VA

I received notification of recall associated with my vehicle. I scheduled appointment and dealer needed to order part. When I showed up for repair, I was turned away and advised that kia is no longer repairing vehicles for recall 23V652000. Can you verify that the recall is no longer occurring and that the risk of encountering the problem is being remedied in some other manner? They told me kua would send me a letter, but I have yet to receive one.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 66,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Feb 20, 2024 · Brakes · WV

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The contact also stated that there was a burning rubber odor in the interior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · 170,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the 4WD warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Brakes · AZ

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Engine · MD

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts are not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Brakes · KS

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 96,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control failed to deactivate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2020 · Body, Lights · 156,550 miles · NY

When turning on the vehicle it sounds like someone is pushing on the gas pedal .sometime the start up and some times it doesn't. Now all the interior lights went out and also the brake lights and the regular lights are not working . They just stop

Filed Oct 31, 2018 · Seat belts · PA

I filed a complaint before kia called and said they would replace seat belt as a courtesy but I would have to pay labor, dealer said a mouse chewed it, I had 2 people look at it and it is frayed, only one, no other seat belt, coat, towels, walmart totes nothing not even the papers that came with car and I am the only one that drives it except for dealership mechanics. I am not paying for something that they know is their fault. I filed in september, and they just called a week ago and today, if you can't help me I will take the matter to the state police for the seatbelt frayed is right across my chest . Nothing happened yet but if I am in a accident I will be hurt

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2010 Kia Sportage before you buy

Compare the 2010 Kia Sportage

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2010 Kia Sportage

Is the 2010 Kia Sportage reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2010 Kia Sportage, fewer than a typical Sportage model year.

What is the 2010 Kia Sportage year score?

The 2010 Kia Sportage scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sportage: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Kia Sportage?

Brakes, with 6 complaints. Next is airbags (4).

How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Sportage have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and exterior lighting.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Kia Sportage brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V652000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia Sportage have bad brakes?

The Kia Sportage model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (71 complaints), 2000 (54 complaints) and 1999 (44 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Sportage get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Kia Sportage range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 25 highway.

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