2011 KIA Sportage: common problems

Owners of the 2011 KIA Sportage filed 181 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 181
involving a crash: 7

KIA Sportage 2011: 3D model with the “Engine” area highlighted — the most complained-about component — Yellow marks the “Engine” area, the component owners complain about most for this year. Illustrative only. 3D model: xnova360, CC Attribution.

What fails most often

1 Engine 43% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
4 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
5 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
6 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
7 Steering 5% of all complaints
8 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints

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

Engine: 77 complaints (43% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 38 complaints (21% of all).
Service brakes: 25 complaints (14% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Powertrain: 23 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Exterior lighting: 12 complaints (7% 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 · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
automatic, 6-speed
manual, 6-speednamed in 2 complaints

Drive: FWD, 4WD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 181 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine35 · 19%
smoke, burning smell, fire21 · 12%
knocking, grinding or other noise18 · 10%
engine failure or replacement16 · 9%
stalls while driving14 · 8%
windows, sunroof12 · 7%
infotainment or screen glitches9 · 5%
headlights and tail lights7 · 4%
won't start6 · 3%
loss of power / limp mode6 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Engine	77	2
Electrical system	38	0
Service brakes	25	3
Powertrain	23	2
Exterior lighting	12	0
Vehicle speed control	10	0
Steering	9	1
Engine and cooling	7	0
Fuel/propulsion system	7	0
Electronic stability control	5	0
Structure	5	0
Suspension	5	0
Visibility	5	0
Air bags	4	2

What owners report

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

The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The contact stated she was diagnosed with a concussion, bruises to both arms, a sprained left ankle, and cuts to her hands and feet.
Air bags · crash · 2024-08-20 · NHTSA complaint #11609590
The air bags did not deploy. The contact fractured his sternum and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed by the contact's insurance company. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined.
Air bags · crash · 2019-01-14 · NHTSA complaint #11169940
My air bag deployed and seat belt functioned appropriately but I felt I was injured. I immediately reached for my phone and called 911. Fire dept personnel arrived quickly as they are close by.
Service brakes · crash · 2018-01-10 · NHTSA complaint #11061563
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 kia sportage. While driving 5 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a bruise on the knee that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed.
Steering · crash · 2016-12-21 · NHTSA complaint #10936671
I tried to stop the car by trying to get in car too fast door hit me knock me down my legs got caught under door flip me completely around. Then crash to wall of the garage. My back got injured. My car tail gate got damage. I do not know what could of cause the car to roll while parked.
Powertrain · crash · 2016-05-06 · NHTSA complaint #10863692
Next morning on friday, same issue with the speed control, vehicle is driving unusual and on top of that the check engine light came on. Called the dealers immediately they said if the light is not flashing its safe to drive and there are no appointments available until monday 17nov14.
Engine · crash · 2014-11-23 · NHTSA complaint #10660303
While driving approximately 25 mph, the check engine light illuminated and the brakes failed. The contact ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle. The frontal air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired.
Engine · crash · 2014-11-19 · NHTSA complaint #10659322
Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road.
Electrical system · 2026-06-20 · NHTSA complaint #11745422

When owners complained

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

201111
20128
20139
201412
20154
20169
201717
201818
201931
20207
202111
20226
20239
202423
20254
20262

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 2,237 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sportage has 144 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 181, above average.

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.
Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2011 KIA Sportage?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 181. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), smoke, burning smell, fire (12%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 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 2011 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 2011 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.