KIA Sportage Steering Problems
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the KIA Sportage across 28 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (14).
- 159steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 19mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 76 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 159 complaints, 19 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 13 an injury.
KIA Sportage steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 Sportage | 4 | 7% | — |
| 2024 Sportage | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 29,457 |
| 2022 Sportage | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Sportage | 8 | 5% | 400 |
| 2019 Sportage | 2 | 3% | 75,490 |
| 2018 Sportage | 9 | 5% | 36,250 |
| 2017 Sportage | 9 | 2% | 1,000 |
| 2016 Sportage | 4 | 3% | 22,200 |
| 2015 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 25,307 |
| 2013 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 85,110 |
| 2012 Sportage | 6 | 2% | 52,500 |
| 2011 Sportage | 9 | 5% | 17,600 |
| 2010 Sportage | 1 | 5% | 156,550 |
| 2009 Sportage | 14 | 18% | 80,000 |
| 2008 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 900 |
| 2007 Sportage | 10 | 13% | 73,500 |
| 2006 Sportage | 3 | 3% | 76,000 |
| 2005 Sportage | 5 | 7% | 89,000 |
| 2002 Sportage | 9 | 4% | 47,500 |
| 2001 Sportage | 5 | 2% | 61,134 |
| 2000 Sportage | 8 | 3% | 83,503 |
| 1999 Sportage | 10 | 4% | 52,500 |
| 1998 Sportage | 13 | 4% | 60,000 |
| 1997 Sportage | 6 | 3% | — |
| 1996 Sportage | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 5 | 9% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2024
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC319.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line VIN: [redacted] APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 34,000 miles DATE OF INCIDENT: September 3, 2026 LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE…
On Tuesday, July 14th I started my vehicle around 6:30 am and started to drive. Once I was driving, I had multiple warning lights on my dash showing and my power steering failed on me. I stopped the vehicle, put it in park and turned it off. I restarted the car and still had the various warning…
I own a 2015 Kia Sportage VIN in detail. On 7-2-2026, an authorized Kia dealer completed the anti-theft ignition campaign. Within days of that repair, my daughter was driving at highway speed when the ignition moved from the ON/RUN position to ACC. The engine shut off, resulting in loss of power…
Unexplainable issues with brake pedal. Makes noise inside cabin that sounds like a squeaky door. Happens when depressing brake pedal at 20mph or less and does not in reverse. Pedal feels odd, somewhat pulsating and when turning, I believe, the front passenger wheel pulls. Steering wheel is…
The contactâs daughter owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. While the owner was reversing from the driveway, the driverâs side wheel collapsed outside of the wheel well at a 90-degree angle. While inspecting the failure, the contact became aware that a bolt for the upper knuckle was missing from the strut…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 159 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.