KIA Sportage Engine Problems
Owners have filed 1,506 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the KIA Sportage across 26 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (328). The words owners use most often: “engine seized” (8% of reports).
- 1,506engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $7,700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 58%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine seized: mentioned in 125 of 1,506 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the KIA Sportage at $7,700, and half of them between $4,850 and $9,500.
Based on 82 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 845 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,506 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 101 a fire, 11 an injury.
KIA Sportage engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 6 | 11% | 3,500 |
| 2024 Sportage | 10 | 14% | 17,850 |
| 2023 Sportage | 38 | 20% | 47,000 |
| 2022 Sportage | 21 | 46% | 42,000 |
| 2021 Sportage | 23 | 43% | 59,960 |
| 2020 Sportage | 75 | 46% | 21,014 |
| 2019 Sportage | 36 | 51% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Sportage | 91 | 55% | 18,400 |
| 2017 Sportage | 220 | 55% | 68,500 |
| 2016 Sportage | 62 | 46% | 84,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 84 | 58% | 91,000 |
| 2014 Sportage | 72 | 58% | 92,750 |
| 2013 Sportage | 301 | 79% | 100,000 |
| 2012 Sportage | 328 | 84% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Sportage | 77 | 43% | 99,500 |
| 2010 Sportage | 2 | 10% | 100,000 |
| 2009 Sportage | 10 | 13% | 80,500 |
| 2008 Sportage | 17 | 17% | 90,000 |
| 2007 Sportage | 8 | 10% | 97,500 |
| 2006 Sportage | 15 | 14% | 126,000 |
| 2005 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 111,195 |
| 2002 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 150,075 |
| 2001 Sportage | 1 | 0% | 92,000 |
| 2000 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 96,989 |
| 1999 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 250,695 |
| 1998 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 60,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Engine
Model years: 2012
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Engine
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades. The centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.
Risk: Separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on june 11, 2007. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
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.
My 2016 Kia Sportage LX experienced a catastrophic engine seizure on September 9, 2026, at 91,249 miles. My son was returning home on I-95 South in Florida. After exiting at Sample Road and traveling west near Seabra Foods at approximately 40 mph, he first noticed unusual engine noises at an…
Rod Bearing failure June 29,2026 with prior Kia manufacturer recalls June 19,2023: (1.) SC206, HECU fire Recall, a serious safety recall regarding the Hydraulic Electronic Control unit. The circuit board can short out and cause an engine bay fire even when the vehicle is parked. (2.) SC249B (Tow…
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) and electrical system malfunctioned, causing a severe short circuit, total power collapse, and an engine compartment thermal event (heavy smoke). The vehicle has an open, incomplete federal safety recall (NHTSA 22V051 / Kia SC227) for this exact fire and…
Power lose while accelerating (Especially on the highway), misfire causing rough idle. Code reading P0301 for fuel injector in cylinder 1. Kia is aware of this issue and has a TSB out for it however will not cover for the cost to replace the fuel injectors. Because of this issue my car does get up…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,506 owner complaints about engine for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage engine?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the KIA Sportage?
Owners report a typical cost of $7,700 (half paid between $4,850 and $9,500), from 82 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the KIA Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “engine seized”, in 125 of 1,506 complaints.
Other KIA Sportage problems
See all KIA Sportage problems.