2007 KIA Sportage: common problems

Owners of the 2007 KIA Sportage filed 77 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 77
involving a crash: 10

KIA Sportage 2007: 3D model with the “Air bags” area highlighted — the most complained-about component — Yellow marks the “Air bags” area, the component owners complain about most for this year. Illustrative only. 3D model: xnova360, CC Attribution.

What fails most often

1 Air bags 17% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
3 Exterior lighting 16% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
5 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
6 Steering 13% of all complaints
7 Engine 10% of all complaints
8 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Air bags: 13 complaints (17% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 13 complaints (17% of all).
Exterior lighting: 12 complaints (16% of all).
Service brakes: 12 complaints (16% of all).
Electronic stability control: 11 complaints (14% of all).

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
2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: FWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 77 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine11 · 14%
airbag warning light9 · 12%
stalls while driving7 · 9%
seat belts6 · 8%
smoke, burning smell, fire6 · 8%
steering or power steering problems5 · 6%
knocking, grinding or other noise4 · 5%
headlights and tail lights3 · 4%
rust, corrosion3 · 4%
brake failure2 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Air bags	13	4
Electrical system	13	0
Exterior lighting	12	0
Service brakes	12	0
Electronic stability control	11	0
Steering	10	0
Engine	8	0
Vehicle speed control	7	2
Seat belts	5	2
Structure	4	1
Powertrain	3	0
Engine and cooling	2	0
Fuel system	2	0
Suspension	2	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Consumer writes regarding an accident and the driver side seatbelt failed to restrain them.
Seat belts · crash · 2019-02-20 · NHTSA complaint #11174031
The contact stated that the client was wearing the lap and shoulder seat belts at the time, but they failed to work as intended. The client sustained injuries to the left arm and was transported by ambulance to seek medical attention. A police report was filed.
Seat belts · crash · 2018-12-18 · NHTSA complaint #11162292
I stopped behind a suv in the turning lane, waiting on light change when for no reason, the kia surged forward and hit the suv in front of me. Total amt of damage to both cars was $8,000.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2012-08-27 · NHTSA complaint #10472606
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. While driving 70 mph the wheels locked , and then the vehicle slid off-road. While sliding the vehicle turned 360 degrees and spinned into a guard-rail and then into several trees. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop.
Wheels · crash · 2009-11-12 · NHTSA complaint #10291953
2007 kia sportage accelerator on the vehicle became engaged at full throttle and the vehicle struck a tree. (lawyer wrtoe in on behalf of consumer.)
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2009-02-26 · NHTSA complaint #10260130
I was in auto accident and my car rolled and my body (even though I was wearing a seatbelt) was thrown around and my sternum was severely injured - hairline fracture. None of my airbags deployed. Not the front or the sides.
Air bags · crash · 2008-08-26 · NHTSA complaint #10239856
I was recently in an accident in which I was rear ended by a bus. At the instant that the accident happened my airbags went off and my drivers seat collapsed backwards.
Seats · crash · 2008-01-07 · NHTSA complaint #10214012
the rear subframe is completely rusted out the car only has 120,000 miles was able to get it home but something under it is making a banging noise looked under it and the subframe is rusted out
Suspension · 2025-08-24 · NHTSA complaint #11682714

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20072
20084
20096
20107
20115
20127
20135
20144
20159
20166
20172
20185
20194
20204
20211
20232
20242
20252

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 4,196 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sportage has 144 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 77, below average.

What to check before buying

Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2007 KIA Sportage?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 77. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), airbag warning light (12%), stalls while driving (9%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2007 KIA Sportage?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2007 KIA Sportage from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2007 models

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.