Most common 2010 Kia Sportage problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sportage complaints by model year
Best Sportage years: 2019, 2014. Years to avoid: 2023, 2025, 2017, 2024, 2012. Compare all years →
2010 Kia Sportage recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Kia Sportage:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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.
What 2010 Kia Sportage owners say
Brakes
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.
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 NHTSA 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.
Air bags
Vehicle was involved in a side impact yet the side curtain airbags did not deploy. The accident resulted in the death of a rear seat passenger. There were no warning lights illuminated before the accident such as "check engine" or the airbag warning light. Vehicle was turning left onto a highway and was "t boned" by a ups truck traveling at a high rate of speed. Front airbags deployed but side curtain airbag did not deploy. Front passengers survived the crash, albeit with injuries requiring hospitalization. Insurance company will be taking possession of the vehicle in the next day or two.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Kia Sportage. While driving 55 MPH, a deer jumped in front of the contact's vehicle and damaged the windshield. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and passenger sustained abdominal bruises and chest injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and then taken to state farm insurance where it was diagnosed. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,594.
Seat belts
Inside rider seatbelt is frayed bad, when on it is across chest when not used frayed part is down inside, the Kia garage is blaming a mouse chewed, no way could a mouse get in that tiny place that is only size of a thin paper plate, Kia when I called he hung up on me,if I am in a accident injured or die from this they will be sued, I drove Friday,Saturday and Monday with air on no smell, Tuesday driver said as soon as he got in he couldn't stand the smell ,they said on my copy of service paper they found 2 mice living none dead, but person at garage said he found 1dead, one living, my paper I got from garage says 2 living none dead, this is beside the point for I know and so does garage and Kia mfg. Know there is no way a mouse could get in there and chew, it is fraying like it is catching on very thin space where you get it out. …
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
2010 Kia Sportage engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Kia Sportage a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Sportage rates better than average: 90% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sportage at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Kia Sportage?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the air bags (4) and seat belts (3).
How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Sportage have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2010 Kia Sportage, the most recent from September 25, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sportage?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2025, 2017, 2024 and 2012. See the full Kia Sportage years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Kia Sportage problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.