2017 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

55% of owner complaints on the 2017 Kia Sportage related to the Engine (219 of 399).

399
Complaints
4
Recalls
14
Crash reports
27
Fire reports
19
Injuries
86.4
Severity index

Severity index 86.4 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 86.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 30 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 78% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 219 complaints (54.9%)219 55%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 69 complaints (17.3%)69 17%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 62 complaints (15.5%)62 16%Power TrainPower Train: 40 complaints (10.0%)40 10%Service BrakesService Brakes: 25 complaints (6.3%)25 6%StructureStructure: 24 complaints (6.0%)24 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 21 complaints (5.3%)21 5%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 17 complaints (4.3%)17 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE21954.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6917.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6215.5%
POWER TRAIN4010.0%
SERVICE BRAKES256.3%
STRUCTURE246.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL174.3%

Complaints filed per year

030612016: 72017: 192018: 232019: 372020: 312021: 412022: 512023: 612024: 452025: 502026: 34 (partial year)161718192021222361242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20167
201719
201823
201937
202031
202141
202251
202361
202445
202550
2026 (year to date)34
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (156 against 123).

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
21V13700004/03/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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.
16V86200030/11/2016TRAILER HITCHESKia 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 hitc
22V70300019/09/2022TRAILER HITCHESKia 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 d

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 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.