Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13% | 262,000 miles |
| 2024 | 10 | 14% | 19,000 miles |
| 2023 | 38 | 20% | 47,000 miles |
| 2022 | 22 | 48% | 51,000 miles |
| 2021 | 29 | 54% | 70,000 miles |
| 2020 | 84 | 52% | 63,000 miles |
| 2019 | 39 | 55% | 60,000 miles |
| 2018 | 96 | 59% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 229 | 57% | 71,000 miles |
| 2016 | 63 | 47% | 84,000 miles |
| 2015 | 84 | 58% | 91,000 miles |
| 2014 | 74 | 60% | 98,000 miles |
| 2013 | 313 | 82% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 330 | 84% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 84 | 46% | 99,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 13% | 81,000 miles |
| 2008 | 22 | 22% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 23 | 21% | 91,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% | 41,000 miles |
| 2002 | 71 | 30% | 66,000 miles |
| 2001 | 46 | 20% | 40,000 miles |
| 2000 | 47 | 15% | 65,000 miles |
| 1999 | 81 | 29% | 56,000 miles |
| 1998 | 81 | 27% | 60,000 miles |
| 1997 | 56 | 31% | 104,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 18% | — |
| 1995 | 14 | 25% | 114,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted gears, causing a slight jerk before accelerating. The instrument panel frequently displayed codes advising the driver to "Turn Off the Engine." While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The instrument panel displayed a message advising the contact to "Check Your Surroundings". When the contact attempted to depress the accelerator, the vehicle failed to respond. Upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle coasted, and the failure reoccurred several times. The contact safely coasted to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and the failure was temporarily resolved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. There was no indication that there was an issue while test-driving the vehicle. The vehicle was cleaned by the seller before purchase. The contact stated that while driving for twenty minutes, they noticed there was an abnormal burning /chemical smell detected. The occupants /the contact, and her husband sustained nasal, eye, headaches, dizziness, and irritation occurred, and medical attention was provided. The contact attempted to ventilate the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact had a (Certified Pre-0wned) CPO warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. Additional letters and emails were sent to Kia, but there was no response. A loaner vehicle was not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, or while the vehicle was parked, the engine intermittently hesitated and the vehicle almost shut off. The contact stated that the START/STOP button was depressed to shut off the vehicle; however, the button became inoperable. The vehicle was turned off and restarted to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,700.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 17,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, when she depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle did not accelerate as required, and she was rear-ended, causing her vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The vehicle was towed to the repair facility; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that after research she discovered there was a recall and she had not received the recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
I was parked in a spot outside the Service Department of John Kennedy Ford, waiting for my son, who was getting his car serviced. I couldn't see the door of the Service Department, so I decided to move to a position in which I could see my son exit the Department. I put the car into Reverse to exit the spot and it accelerated at an uncontrollable rate of speed backwards, striking two cars parked outside the Service Department, pushing them into other vehicles in the parking area. I put the car into drive to pull away from the cars I impacted and the car accelerated at an uncontrollable rate of speed forwards, striking a curb in front of the showroom, causing my car to veer into two new cars on the lot, sideswiping the last car and veering my car into a lamppost along The Fairway. The collision caused my car to stop, causing the Driver airbag to deploy. …
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while stopping at a red light, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, where she opened the hood of the vehicle and observed flames coming from the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that the fire originated from the driver side of the engine. A fire department and police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The side of the contact's home also caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire inspector stated that the fire was started from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
Related recalls (5)
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge.
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on June 11, 2007. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
Fan blade cracking/separation
The investigation of engine cooling fans in the subject vehicles was opened on September 21, 2006 as pe06-042.the basis for opening was 10 consumer reports alleging fan blade cracking and blade separation.six of the reports indicated the separated fan blades caused damage to other engine compartment components.Kia has provided additional consumer reports and information in its response to pe06-042.the investigation…
Fan blade cracking/separation
Kia motors America, inc. (Kia) has identified a defect in the plastic engine cooling fan in the subject vehicles and will conduct a safety recall.Kia's defect report states, ...heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan...initiating cracks in the fan.the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete…
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003.
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sportage years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (330), 2013 (313), 2017 (229), 2018 (96) and 2011 (84) model years. Engine complaints make up 84% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage engine problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 20V-750 (engine, Dec 2, 2020); 19V-101 (engine, Feb 15, 2019); 18V-907 (engine, Dec 19, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sportage engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (158 mentions), followed by the engine (68).
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.