Kia

Sportage

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2010 to 2025

Includes Sportage 2WD, Sportage 4WD, Sportage AWD and 4 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 72 Sportage trims All Kia cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 45, below this model's typical 165; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 390, about 2x this model's typical 198; recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia Sportage
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	5Gas	21	140	$2,950	2	20	1 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 14%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%, SEAT BELTS 11%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 165 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 NHTSA advised parking the 2010 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	6Gas	23	173	$2,700	6	179	4 (1 open)	ENGINE 30%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, POWER TRAIN 9%
complaints: 179, below this model's typical 198 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 NHTSA advised parking the 2011 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	6Gas	23	176	$2,700	5	390	4 (1 open)	ENGINE 73%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5%
complaints: 390, about 2x this model's typical 198 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 NHTSA advised parking the 2012 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	6Gas	23	no data	$2,700	3	380	4 (1 open)	ENGINE 67%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%
complaints: 380, about 1.9x this model's typical 198 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 NHTSA advised parking the 2013 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 3 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	4Gas	22.5	221	$2,775	3	122	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 46%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 122, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2014 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	4Gas	22.5	182	$2,775	2	144	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 43%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%
complaints: 144, above this model's typical 132 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 NHTSA advised parking the 2015 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	22.5	182	$2,775	2	129	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 31%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10%
complaints: 129, about 2x this model's typical 66 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 NHTSA advised parking the 2016 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 3 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	23	181	$2,700	4	387	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 39%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 387, about 2.9x this model's typical 132 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 NHTSA advised parking the 2017 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	4Gas	23	181	$2,700	3	157	1 (1 open)	ENGINE 39%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 157, above this model's typical 132 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	4Gas	23	no data	$2,700	2	65	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 34%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 65, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 NHTSA advised parking the 2019 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	4Gas	23	248	$2,700	2	149	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 35%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 149, above this model's typical 132 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 NHTSA advised parking the 2020 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 28 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	4Gas	23	248	$2,700	2	43	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 37%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 43, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 NHTSA advised parking the 2021 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	4Gas	23	248	$2,700	1	42	0	ENGINE 34%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9%
complaints: 42, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2022 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	5Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	35	188	$1,800	6	177	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 177, above this model's typical 165 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 NHTSA advised parking the 2023 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 13 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	5Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	35	188	$1,800	3	62	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE 9%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 165 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	5Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid	35	188	$1,800	1	45	0	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10%
complaints: 45, below this model's typical 165 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 21 to 2025: 35

Owner complaints2010: 20 to 2025: 45

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia Sportage to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.