2011 Kia Sportage
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 181
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2011
Opened by NHTSA
43% of complaints
Complaints per year
2011: 181 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 56 |
| 1996 | 57 |
| 1997 | 181 |
| 1998 | 303 |
| 1999 | 284 |
| 2000 | 304 |
| 2001 | 228 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 111 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2008 | 98 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 392 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 125 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 402 |
| 2018 | 164 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 195 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 | 28 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
43% · 77 reportsShow complaint excerpts
My car with 87,942 well maintained miles all of a sudden blew the engine and caught fire.recall on certain models with the same year with cam bearings letting go internally.I'm still currently paying on the vehicle.I got ahold of Kia national motors...
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-30
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the brakes failed. The contact ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle. The frontal air bags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-11-19
Also filed under Service brakes
Electrical system
21% · 38 reportsMost commonly citing horn.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of traffic. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-29
The car was not running and smoke started to come out from under the dash on the drivers side. I popped the hood and there was no smoke present underneath. The car then started itself with no key in the ignition.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-23
Service brakes
14% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving east on a city street at probably less than speed limit. Street becomes a downward hill when driving east , at the first intersection there is a stoplight. I know this intersection well as I drove that way to work for 9 years.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-10
Power train
13% · 23 reportsExterior lighting
7% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing tail lights and headlights.
Show complaint excerpts
Engine light is on and no power when you apply gas pedal. Dealer pulled codes for OB2 and found P2562 turbo boot control/position sensor. Rest both adpat values. After resting and rebooting ECM drivers windows would not go up.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-08-01
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2011Complaint volume 181 complaints filed for this model year.
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2013-04-19Exterior lighting13V114000 Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year…
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.…
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2015-07-07Exterior lighting15V360000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.
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2017-05-18Recall queryClosed 2021-12-22 Scope and Timeliness
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2017-06-20Engine and engine cooling17V224000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2019-01-17Engine, fuel system, gasoline18V907000 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)...
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.
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2019-07-03Engine19V101000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
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2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
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2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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2024-03-29Service brakes, hydraulic23V652000 Kia America, Inc.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023.
Buy-smart checklist
2011 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 77 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 38 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 25 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V114000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 15V360000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 17V224000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 18V907000 · Engine, fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 19V101000 · Engine
- Recall 23V652000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2011 Kia Sportage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Kia Sportage is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sportage?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sportage have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.