Most common 2014 Kia Sportage problems
Share of the 124 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 →
2014 Kia Sportage recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge.
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured September 30, 2013, through January 11, 2014. The certification label has incorrect tire pressure information printed on it, listing a specification that is 1 or 2 psi below the correct information.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will correct the label information, and owners will also receive a sticker to put into the owners manual, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2014.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2014 Kia Sportage:
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
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 2014 Kia Sportage owners say
Engine & cooling all 74 →
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact opened the hood and noticed an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed the oil was not entering the engine and an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 ( Service Brakes, Hydraulic).
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact exited the freeway. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with a knock sensor failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the knock sensor however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact exited the freeway with the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. …
Brakes all 24 →
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, added pressure and pumping of the brake pedal was needed to slow and eventually stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was currently awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,062.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 103,000.
There are moments when I am driving that the vehicle will suddenly decelerate for no reason. At that point, I have to pull over, turn the vehicle off and then back on for it to move. This is frightening at the least as it happens with no warning and sometimes I'm on the freeway. I have had a couple of mechanics look at it and they can't figure out why it does this. I've asked Kia twice and they don't give a response. I'm afraid that it will happen one day when I'm not in a position to pull over without getting hit.
2014 Kia Sportage engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 26 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Kia Sportage a good car?
Based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Sportage rates average: 25% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sportage at the same age. It is one of the best Sportage years by this measure. 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 2014 Kia Sportage?
The engine & cooling — 74 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the brakes (24) and fuel & propulsion system (8).
How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Sportage have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2014 Kia Sportage, the most recent from February 2, 2022 (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 2014 Kia Sportage problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 27% 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.