2013 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

79% of owner complaints on the 2013 Kia Sportage related to the Engine (300 of 380).

380
Complaints
3
Recalls
5
Crash reports
22
Fire reports
6
Injuries
54.4
Severity index

Severity index 54.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 54.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 98 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 32% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 300 complaints (78.9%)300 79%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 27 complaints (7.1%)27 7%Service BrakesService Brakes: 25 complaints (6.6%)25 7%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 22 complaints (5.8%)22 6%HydraulicHydraulic: 19 complaints (5.0%)19 5%Power TrainPower Train: 18 complaints (4.7%)18 5%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 14 complaints (3.7%)14 4%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 7 complaints (1.8%)7 2%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE30078.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER277.1%
SERVICE BRAKES256.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM225.8%
HYDRAULIC195.0%
POWER TRAIN184.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING143.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM71.8%

Complaints filed per year

038762013: 22014: 42015: 72016: 82017: 202018: 662019: 762020: 572021: 462022: 332023: 162024: 292025: 142026: 2 (partial year)131415161718197620212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20132
20144
20157
20168
201720
201866
201976
202057
202146
202233
202316
202429
202514
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (59 against 136).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia 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.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Con

Other Kia Sportage model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.