Kia Sportage — YEARS TO AVOID

Data updated 2026-08-02. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Avoid: 2017, 2012, 2013, 2000, 1998, 1999 · Best bets: 2022, 2021, 2025, 1995, 1996, 2024

COMPLAINT HISTORY

Complaints per year, Kia Sportage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2026 highlighted. 1995: 56 complaints 1995 1996: 57 complaints 1997: 181 complaints 1998: 303 complaints 1999: 284 complaints 1999 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 228 complaints 2002: 234 complaints 2003: 4 complaints 2003 2005: 68 complaints 2006: 111 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 80 complaints 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 392 complaints 2012 2013: 380 complaints 2014: 122 complaints 2015: 146 complaints 2016: 130 complaints 2016 2017: 394 complaints 2018: 158 complaints 2019: 68 complaints 2020: 153 complaints 2020 2021: 46 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 182 complaints 2024: 64 complaints 2024 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 19 complaints 2026
2026: 19 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199556
199657
1997181
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
20034
200568
2006111
200777
200898
200980
201020
2011181
2012392
2013380
2014122
2015146
2016130
2017394
2018158
201968
2020153
202146
202242
2023182
202464
202549
202619

EVERY YEAR, RANKED

YearRankingComplaintsWhy
2026 Not enough data 19 Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025 Recommended 49 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2024 Recommended 64 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2023 Caution 182 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2022 Recommended 42 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021 Recommended 46 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2020 Recommended 153 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2019 Recommended 68 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 Recommended 158 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2017 Avoid 394 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2016 Recommended 130 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2015 Recommended 146 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2014 Recommended 122 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2013 Avoid 380 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2012 Avoid 392 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2011 Caution 181 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 Not enough data 20 Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2009 Recommended 80 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 Recommended 98 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 Recommended 77 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 Recommended 111 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 Recommended 68 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002 Caution 234 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 Caution 228 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 Avoid 304 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1999 Avoid 284 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1998 Avoid 303 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1997 Caution 181 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1996 Recommended 57 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 Recommended 56 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.