IllustrationHAVE CHANGED OIL IN LESS THAT 3000 MILES EVERY TIME AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CHANGED. NOW I HAVE METAL SHAVINGS IN MY OIL
2017 Kia Sportage
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sportage years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Sportage are substantially higher than the model-year median of 122.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sportage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
570–25K
2325–50K
4250–75K
3075–100K
25100–150K
4150K+
181 reports with mileage · 218 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.
- Engine. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports27 fire reports17 injury reports
Engine complaints
219 reportsWHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION INTERSTATE OR CITY STREET, THE ENGINE REVS UP WITHOUT PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ONTO THE GAS PEDDLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ONCE PULLED INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS A PRECAUTION. WE FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTE…
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WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION INTERSTATE OR CITY STREET, THE ENGINE REVS UP WITHOUT PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ONTO THE GAS PEDDLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ONCE PULLED INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS A PRECAUTION. WE FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS TO KIA DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER HE INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE THE ALTERNATOR OR SOMETHING THAT IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT'S ACTUALLY ON. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND AT ANY SPEED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES OCCASIONALLY ALTHOUGH NO ONE ELSE IS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE AND MY SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED.
CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR MY CAR FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS (KNOCKING, FIRE, ECT). MY CAR IS KNOCKING AND DOES NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL.
I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS SETTLEMENT REGARDING : ENGINE SEIZURE,ENGINE STALL,ENGINE NOISE,OR ILLUMINATION OF OIL LAMP THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AS REQUIRING REPAIR OF ENGINE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE PROVIDED ASAP. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT…
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I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS SETTLEMENT REGARDING : ENGINE SEIZURE,ENGINE STALL,ENGINE NOISE,OR ILLUMINATION OF OIL LAMP THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AS REQUIRING REPAIR OF ENGINE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE PROVIDED ASAP. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MID-DECEMBER I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SKIPPING AS I ACCELERATED. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS NONE. I HAD JUST GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE 10/26/19. I TAKE THE CAR IN 12/23/19. THEY DO ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND TELL ME AS IT GETS LOW ON OIL TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL TRACK IT. WE DO THIS A FEW TIMES AND COVID HAPPENS. SO, I'M ADDING MY O…
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MID-DECEMBER I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SKIPPING AS I ACCELERATED. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS NONE. I HAD JUST GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE 10/26/19. I TAKE THE CAR IN 12/23/19. THEY DO ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND TELL ME AS IT GETS LOW ON OIL TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL TRACK IT. WE DO THIS A FEW TIMES AND COVID HAPPENS. SO, I'M ADDING MY OWN OIL AND RESTART THE PROCESS 6/23/20. MY BF BRINGS THE CAR IN 7/31/20 AND THE MECHANIC STATES KIA WILL NO LONGER BE DOING OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND WOULD ONLY SEE THE CAR IF SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC OCCURS. THEN PLAINLY SAYS DO NOT ADD OIL AND LET IT BLOW IT UP. I RETURN 8/3/20 TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER IN CHARGE AND HE CONFIRMS THAT IT IS KIA'S POLICY THAT THEY WILL NOT ADD OIL ANYMORE. SAYS HE CANNOT GIVE ME THE POLICY IN WRITING. I SAID I HAD AN OIL CHANGE WITH YOU ON 6/23/20 AND TODAY 8/3/20 MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY OIL IN IT AND YOU WON'T LOOK AT IT? HE CONFIRMED HE WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT.
2017 KIA SPORTAGE LOST ALL POWER AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NO POWER STEERING NO BRAKING NOTHING. SMOKE AND FUMES FILLED THE CAB OF SUV. ONCE I GOT OFF THE ROAD SMOKE WAS BOILING OUT OF HOOD OF CAR.
THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. PUTTING THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. LOW POWER. THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED. THEY REPLACE A SINGLE WIRE UNDER THE HOOD EACH TIME.. HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1.5 YEARS. THEY ARE NOT FIXING THE CAR, JUST PUTTING A BAND AID ON IT ,AND KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
MY PARKING BRAKE NO LONGER SETS, IT JUST PUMPS AND NEVER LOCKS. SO I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PARK ON ANY HILLS FOR A WHILE. ALSO, MY HEATING AND AIR GOES WONKY SOMETIMES AND WON'T SHOW ME THE ACTUAL TEMP OR GIVE ME THE OPTION TO INCREASE OR DECREASE IN TEMP OR MODE UNLESS I PARK AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, START IT AGAIN, THEN TURN …
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MY PARKING BRAKE NO LONGER SETS, IT JUST PUMPS AND NEVER LOCKS. SO I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PARK ON ANY HILLS FOR A WHILE. ALSO, MY HEATING AND AIR GOES WONKY SOMETIMES AND WON'T SHOW ME THE ACTUAL TEMP OR GIVE ME THE OPTION TO INCREASE OR DECREASE IN TEMP OR MODE UNLESS I PARK AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, START IT AGAIN, THEN TURN OFF THE WHOLE COOLING OR HEATING SYSTEM AND THEN MESS WITH IT MORE. MY CAR IS ALSO OFTEN TIMES IN DRIVE, AND IT'LL REV UP FOR NO REASON TO THE RED LINE, THEN STALL AND COAST TO A STOP. I'VE BEEN LUCKY MY KIDS HAVE YET TO BE WITH ME WITH THIS HAPPENING AND IT'S BEEN ON BACK ROADS WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. ALL THESE THINGS WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE/MOTION, EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE, THAT IS OBVIOUSLY WHILE IN PARK THAT I'VE NOTICED.
KIA SPORTAGE 2017 BEGAN SHOWING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE STATION. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST THAT SHOWED, TWICE, THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE AND A HALF QUARTS OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES OF USE. IT WAS TAKEN FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF ADEQUATE OIL CHANGE SCHE…
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KIA SPORTAGE 2017 BEGAN SHOWING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE STATION. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST THAT SHOWED, TWICE, THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE AND A HALF QUARTS OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES OF USE. IT WAS TAKEN FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF ADEQUATE OIL CHANGE SCHEDULE AND AT 39914 MILES. MOTOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AND AFTER MORE THAN 3 WEEKS, DIAGNOSIS IS UNCERTAIN. THIS PROBLEM MAY CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF INTERNAL PARTS AND THERE MAY BE A HIGH PROBABILITY OF SAFETY COMPROMISE ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE
Official recalls
422V703000 · Trailer Hitches
Sep 19, 2022
Kia 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 dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
21V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Mar 4, 2021
Kia 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
18V907000 · Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 19, 2018
Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine
Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
16V862000 · Electrical System; Trailer Hitches
Nov 30, 2016
Kia 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 hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Kia 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 hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Electrical System
Kia 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 hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
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
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.