Sportage (QL)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
GDI THETA II
2.4L 4-cyl / 181 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
T-GDI THETA II
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Kia Sportage Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sportage, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2017-2022 Kia Sportage
On a used 2017-2022 Kia Sportage, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (496), the electrical system (136) and the transmission and drivetrain (76). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 496 owner complaints on the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 136 owner complaints on the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage about the brakes.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints on the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (4)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
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. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2017-2022 Kia Sportage complaints?
Owners have filed 896 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the transmission.
Is the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 896 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 896 owner complaints on file for the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2017-2022 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2017-2022 Kia Sportage vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Kia Sportage?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sportage?
The 2022 Kia Sportage received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (14.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 896 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.