The best and worst Kia Sportage years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Kia Sportages old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2010, 2019 and 2021–2022 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2011–2013 and 2017 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2022 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2011 Kia Sportage · 38.1 per 10,000 sold (2.0× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,080 miles; then wiring harness, grounds and connectors.
2012 Kia Sportage · 98.6 per 10,000 sold (5.1× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,300 miles; then stalling and no-start.
2013 Kia Sportage · 115.3 per 10,000 sold (6.0× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,220 miles; then stalling and no-start.
2017 Kia Sportage · 54.8 per 10,000 sold (2.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 90,852 miles; then oil consumption and leaks.
Years with the fewest complaints
2010 Kia Sportage · 8.4 per 10,000 sold (0.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: ABS module and wheel speed sensors, typically around 170,000 miles.
2019 Kia Sportage · 7.8 per 10,000 sold (0.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 80,000 miles.
2021 Kia Sportage · 5.6 per 10,000 sold (0.3× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 60,000 miles.
2022 Kia Sportage · 3.7 per 10,000 sold (0.2× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 55,500 miles.
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Kia Sportage year: 19.3 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Kia Sportage?
Among Kia Sportages old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2013 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 115.3, about 6.0× a typical Kia Sportage year. The 2011–2012 and 2017 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Kia Sportage?
The 2022 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Kia Sportages from 2005–2022: 3.7, against 19.3 for a typical year. The 2010, 2019 and 2021 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
The most-reported problem on the 2013 Kia Sportage is internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,220 miles.
Why aren't the newest Kia Sportage years ranked?
The 2023–2026 haven't been on the road long enough. Newer cars have fewer complaints mainly because they're newer, so ranking them would flatter them.
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Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.