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2007 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports5 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

77 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2014
Air BagsExterior Lighting

MY KIA SPORTAGE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT WON'T COME ON AT ALL. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR AIR BAG LIGHT. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. KIA DEALERSHIP NEED TO STOP PUTTING IT ON THE OWNERS EXPENSE. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP …

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MY KIA SPORTAGE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT WON'T COME ON AT ALL. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR AIR BAG LIGHT. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. KIA DEALERSHIP NEED TO STOP PUTTING IT ON THE OWNERS EXPENSE. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND HE WAS TOLD THEY NEED TO PUT IT ON A MACHINE TO ANALYST THE PROBLEM. I'M SURE THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ? TO ANALYST IT IS GOING TO COST US SOME MONEY. WHY ??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567142

115,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Engine

IN MARCH 2013 I HAD CASEY KIA INSTALL A REFURBISHED ENGINE TO REPLACE MY BAD ENGINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET I SPENT ABOUT 3300.00. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO WHICH I HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES UNTIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013. IT STARTED BINDING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR. FLUID WA…

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IN MARCH 2013 I HAD CASEY KIA INSTALL A REFURBISHED ENGINE TO REPLACE MY BAD ENGINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET I SPENT ABOUT 3300.00. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO WHICH I HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES UNTIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013. IT STARTED BINDING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR. FLUID WAS ALSO ON RADIATOR. CASEY ALSO INSTALLED RADIATOR AT THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. THEY SAID IN THEIR REPORT THEY REPLACED ALL FLUIDS AND REPLACED FILTERS. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO AMMOCO TRANSMISSION ON NOVEMBER, 19, 2013 THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION BAD BUT RADIATOR WAS BAD..NO ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AT ANY TIME. THEY DID A COMPLETE 100 POINT SYSTEM CHECK COME TO FIND OUT CASEY KIA INSTALLED ENGINE INCORRECTLY LEAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMPLETELY OFF SO THAT IF I HAD ANY ISSUES WHAT SO EVER THAT I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY MORE OUT OF POCKET FOR INTENSIVE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. THIS CAR BECAME SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE THAT I WAS FORCED TO HAVE TO TRADE IT IN TO HALL HYUNDAI WHICH OF COURSE I GOT 1800.00 FOR A 10,000.00 VEHICLE. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO GIVE UP MY FAVORITE VEHICLE I WAS FORCED INTO HAVING TO BUY A CAR I DID NOT LIKE AND DID NOT WANT..BECAUSE I NEEDED IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION DUE TO BEING MILITARY..I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE KIA CORPORATION WHICH THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. I HAVE COMPLETE REPORTS FROM AMMOCO AND THE FACT THAT I HAD TO REDO THE FLUIDS AND REDO THE OIL CHANGES AFTER IT CAME OUT OF CASEY KIA HANDS .THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE SEVERE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL DASHBOARD ISSUES AND IS NOT CERTIFIED PREOWNED..AND IF IS A LIE..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME PLEASE DO I HAVE ALL THE MAINTENANCE HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE AND ITS NOT PRETTY..[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553488

80,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MUL…

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WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR ON THE VEHICLE BEING MOUNTED 'LOW TO THE GROUND'. WELL, THE ALTERNATOR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED, AND I HAD DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES MANY TIMES OVER THE PREVIOUS SIX YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR A DEALERSHIP THAT SIMPLY WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, BUT LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING ASSIST COMPROMISES SAFE OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511361

28,329 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Power Train

THE SPORT AGE FEEL AS IF IT IS HAVING A HARD TIME CHANGING TO THE NEXT GEAR... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507037

92,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER, I WILL LOOSE POWER STEERING AFTER DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OFF. IT COMES BACK AFTER A MINUTE OR SO, BUT WHEN IT GOES OUT, THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504205

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2013
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER ARE SEATED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502593

10,000 miles · Dec 3, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE FELT A STRONG VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE FELT A STRONG VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10487175

49,000 miles · Nov 7, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL ON BUT IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL ON BUT IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10483592

80,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I STOPPED BEHIND A SUV IN THE TURNING LANE, WAITING ON LIGHT CHANGE WHEN FOR NO REASON, THE KIA SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME. TOTAL AMT OF DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS WAS $8,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472606

94,684 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,684.

NHTSA ODI #10470582

Official recalls

2

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems