2018 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

55% of owner complaints on the 2018 Kia Sportage related to the Engine (89 of 162).

162
Complaints
3
Recalls
7
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
5
Injuries
74.4
Severity index

Severity index 74.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 74.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 30 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 75% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 89 complaints (54.9%)89 55%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 28 complaints (17.3%)28 17%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 19 complaints (11.7%)19 12%Power TrainPower Train: 18 complaints (11.1%)18 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 11 complaints (6.8%)11 7%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 10 complaints (6.2%)10 6%SteeringSteering: 9 complaints (5.6%)9 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 8 complaints (4.9%)8 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE8954.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2817.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1911.7%
POWER TRAIN1811.1%
SERVICE BRAKES116.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM106.2%
STEERING95.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL84.9%

Complaints filed per year

016332018: 82019: 252020: 92021: 142022: 182023: 252024: 132025: 332026: 17 (partial year)18192021222324253326
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20188
201925
20209
202114
202218
202325
202413
202533
2026 (year to date)17
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.7x those in 2020 to 2022 (71 against 41).

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.
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 2026-08-21. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.