2014 KIA Sportage Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 72 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2014 KIA Sportage, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 92,750 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine knock” (7% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Engine knock: mentioned in 5 of 72 complaints (7%)
  • Metal shavings: mentioned in 5 of 72 complaints (7%)
  • Knocking noise: mentioned in 5 of 72 complaints (7%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 30 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles3 · 10%
25k–50k miles0 · 0%
50k–75k miles7 · 23%
75k–100k miles8 · 27%
100k–150k miles9 · 30%
150k+ miles3 · 10%

How serious are the reports?

None of the 72 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.

KIA Sportage engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2012, with 328 complaints
1998: 219981999: 22000: 220002001: 12002: 220022005: 12006: 1520062007: 82008: 1720082009: 102010: 220102011: 772012: 32820123282013: 3012014: 7220142015: 842016: 6220162017: 2202018: 9120182019: 362020: 7520202021: 232022: 2120222023: 382024: 1020242025: 6

n = 1,506 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Sportage611%3,500
2024 Sportage1014%17,850
2023 Sportage3820%47,000
2022 Sportage2146%42,000
2021 Sportage2343%59,960
2020 Sportage7546%21,014
2019 Sportage3651%40,000
2018 Sportage9155%18,400
2017 Sportage22055%68,500
2016 Sportage6246%84,000
2015 Sportage8458%91,000
2014 Sportage7258%92,750
2013 Sportage30179%100,000
2012 Sportage32884%100,000
2011 Sportage7743%99,500
2010 Sportage210%100,000
2009 Sportage1013%80,500
2008 Sportage1717%90,000
2007 Sportage810%97,500
2006 Sportage1514%126,000
2005 Sportage11%111,195
2002 Sportage21%150,075
2001 Sportage10%92,000
2000 Sportage21%96,989
1999 Sportage21%250,695
1998 Sportage21%60,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2022, with 19 complaints
2016: 2201622018: 4201842019: 6201962020: 5202052021: 102021102022: 192022192023: 122023122024: 3202432025: 7202572026: 420264

n = 72 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · 71,653 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle suddenly has an engine knock. The engine light came on, starting flashing and the knock is very loud.

Received Oct 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11771452

My vehicle stalled (104000mi) bought in 2024 looked up online was known between 2023-2024 engine recall I wasn't told or shown on Car Fax anything about this So [XXX] worked on engine 2. Mths no charge was to get new motor they replaced alternator.Told Done Engine light was on I went to drive it…

Received May 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11736797

Engine went out , starter went out got it replaced been having issues since I purchased it . Makes a noise my engine oil and gasoline was mixing my engine is locked now

Received Apr 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11733904
KIA Sportage
2025 Kia Sportage (NQ5) at Automesse Ludwigsburg 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2014 KIA Sportages have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 72 owner complaints about engine for the 2014 KIA Sportage (58% of the 124 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2014 KIA Sportage engine?

Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 92,750 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2014 KIA Sportage?

The most frequent phrase is “engine knock”, in 5 of 72 complaints, followed by “metal shavings” (5).

See all 2014 KIA Sportage problems or engine problems across all Sportage years.