AI DamageKIA Sportage: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Sportage across 33 model years: 4,736 owner complaints and 339 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 31 | 4 | 24 | 1 |
| 2025 | 55 | 5 | 15 | 1 |
| 2024 | 75 | 7 | 37 | 0 |
| 2023 | 196 | 24 | 74 | 1 |
| 2022 | 47 | 6 | 52 | 0 |
| 2021 | 54 | 3 | 68 | 0 |
| 2020 | 166 | 11 | 83 | 2 |
| 2019 | 71 | 3 | 64 | 0 |
| 2018 | 165 | 7 | 91 | 0 |
| 2017 | 404 | 14 | 145 | 0 |
| 2016 | 134 | 8 | 102 | 0 |
| 2015 | 146 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 125 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 381 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 392 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 181 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 98 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 77 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 111 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 68 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 234 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 228 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 304 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 284 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 303 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 181 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 57 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,519 complaints (32% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 121.
- Electrical system: 638 complaints (13% of all), 15 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 331.
- Service brakes: 595 complaints (13% of all), 57 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Engine and cooling: 480 complaints (10% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 165.
- Powertrain: 458 complaints (10% of all), 19 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1995–2010
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2011–2022named in 14 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2011–2022named in 51 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2023–2027
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2005–2010
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2023–2027
- 1.6 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2023–2027
- automatic, 4-speed 1995–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2022
- automatic, 8-speed 2023–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2023–2027
- manual, 5-speed 1995–2010named in 4 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2013named in 4 complaints
Drive: AWD, FWD, RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4,736 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,519 | 10 | 121 |
| Electrical system | 638 | 15 | 331 |
| Service brakes | 595 | 57 | 12 |
| Engine and cooling | 480 | 12 | 165 |
| Powertrain | 458 | 19 | 68 |
| Air bags | 296 | 157 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 291 | 1 | 16 |
| Structure | 276 | 11 | 54 |
| Visibility | 226 | 4 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 192 | 29 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 174 | 6 | 5 |
| Steering | 160 | 19 | 33 |
| Suspension | 155 | 13 | 30 |
| Exterior lighting | 113 | 1 | 15 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Photographs taken after the accident also show significant corrosion of rear suspension components. The right rear wheel did not have the same extreme appearance.
I was involved in a rollover accident and the driver's side door opened during the accident. Had I not been wearing my seatbelt, I would have been ejected from the vehicle.
VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line VIN: [VIN] APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 34,000 miles DATE OF INCIDENT: September 3, 2026 LOCATION OF [ref] University Drive, Huntsville, [ZIP] COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE: Sudden loss of steering control immediately…
I also didn't receive an alert from the Front Collision Avoidance system or any assistance from the Automatic Emergency Braking system. The vehicle was a CPO that had always been serviced at the dealership.
If I keep moving the vehicles toward a car, the collision avoidance should give me a warning an brakes for me, however, this 2026 KIA Sportage does not respond at all. In addition, in order for the front sensors on the bumper to work, I need to press on the brake.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration â 2024 Kia Sportage â Safety Hazard. Incident Date: April 18, 2026. Location: Parking lot. While pulling into a parking space at low speed, I brought the vehicle to a complete stop with my foot on the brake.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.