2017 Kia Sportage
The Verdict
The 2017 Kia Sportage has 398 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (236 complaints) and body (74 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 35/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Sportage, consider the 2003 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2003 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2003 Kia Sportage dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a f...
Risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical ju...
Reported Apr 3, 2021
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 81 | 42 | 39 | 129 | 30 |
| 2001 | 62 | 16 | 32 | 107 | 16 |
| 2002 | 50 | 16 | 24 | 133 | 14 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | 25 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2006 | 22 | 9 | 51 | 26 | 3 |
| 2007 | 22 | 12 | 30 | 11 | 2 |
| 2008 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 7 |
| 2009 | 24 | 15 | 27 | 12 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 | 35 | 17 | 26 | 89 | 13 |
| 2012 | 23 | 9 | 16 | 332 | 10 |
| 2013 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 314 | 7 |
| 2014 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 74 | 1 |
| 2015 | 16 | 22 | 13 | 88 | 3 |
| 2016 | 14 | 29 | 15 | 63 | 3 |
| 2017 | 74 | 20 | 52 | 236 | 16 |
| 2018 | 32 | 9 | 19 | 94 | 8 |
| 2019 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 38 | 3 |
| 2020 | 47 | 12 | 13 | 86 | 1 |
| 2021 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 2 |
| 2022 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 0 |
| 2023 | 67 | 26 | 38 | 49 | 9 |
| 2024 | 37 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 25 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 4 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2017 Kia Sportage stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
I have a 2017 Kia Sportage with a recurring door latch problem. Several years ago, the driver’s door developed a problem where it would not open properly from the outside. Kia repaired the driver’s door latch under warranty extension WTY020. The passenger door has now developed the exact same problem. It will not open from the outside, although it can still be opened from inside. A Kia dealership diagnosed the problem as a failed door latch. Kia’s WTY020 warranty extension was created for this known latch problem and provided 10 years/unlimited mileage coverage based on the vehicle’s original in-service date. Kia says my coverage expired approximately one month before this passenger-side latch failed. I requested goodwill assistance from Kia because this is the same known defect that was previously repaired on my vehicle. Kia denied the request, reconsidered it after I challenged the decision, and ultimately denied it again as a final decision. Kia also refused partial assistance. I paid $224 for the diagnostic. The dealership’s repair estimate is $761.17, including the diagnostic fee. I am reporting this because the same latch defect has now occurred on both sides of my vehicle. A passenger door that cannot be opened from the outside may present a safety concern. I am asking NHTSA to document this complaint and consider whether this recurring door-latch problem warrants further investigation.
Engine caught fire , insurance denied the claim . Kia has a class action lawsuit Theta 2 . It was towed into the dealership for approximately 3 mts . During the diagnostic they discovered a crack in the number 3 cylinder wall . They rejected the claim due to what they said was a leaky valve cover gasket even though it had been replaced within the last year . The car has 66,000 miles and has been well maintained. There’s copious examples of similar of engine failures and Kia gives the same reason for not fixing the problem.
Engine burns excess oil, I am forced to add oil every other day as it consumes an excessive amount. When I spoke with the Kia Dealership they told me I have an unlimited warranty on the engine but it need to blow before they will replace it. I’m spending a fortune on oil.
The engine consumes a massive amount of oil to where I have to check my oil constantly and refill as often as weekly. This can pose a risk to myself and others due to the engine failing while I am driving. I am sure other issues can come from an engine running out of soil that I’m not aware of.
My car went into limp mode on the high way due to a faulty knock sensor. my car decelerated rapidly, which could have put me and others around me at risk. I had to repair this problem on my own even though other cars similar to my make and model have had the same issue.
One day as I was turning at a green light the car completely stopped on me. I had to turn it off and then restart it and it worked fine. About a week later I had to drive to my cousin's house 45 minutes away and the car would not go, it acted like it was stalling and It didn't want to go over 2000RPMs and it was really sluggish like it didn't want to shift into the next gear. I finally got on the highway and it would not go past 60 miles an hour and then also if you try to drive it, it will slow down like its shutting off on you. I've had a new battery replaced, 4 new tires a windshield, and wipers replaced. I took the car to AutoZone and also to another guy and both of them used their computers and said that it's the engine and they called it rod knocking. I called customer service and they said yes their is a recall and that they would replace the engine. I tried to call kia in mesquite Texas because that is the closest one to me and I left a voicemail they did not call me back I am carless I'm a single disabled mother I need a working car.
After fueling, vehicle idled fine with no warning lights. Once pulling onto the highway and making highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration, and was stranded in the highway. We required the assistance of law enforcement to direct traffic. It was 10pm and the temperatures were 35 degree below zero with the windchill. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership, where they diagnosed loss of compression in the pistons. The dealership stated the engine had been burning/consuming oil and that the burnt valve caused the loss of compression and sudden breakdown. This vehicle uses the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, which has a long history of engine failures, oil consumption complaints, stalling, and class-action litigation involving sudden engine failure and loss of power. Kia denied coverage by claiming only rod-bearing failures qualify for warranty extension, even though excessive oil consumption and compression loss appear closely related to the same broader engine defect pattern. Other owners have also reported 2017 Sportage excessive oil consumption leading to compression loss and engine failure. I believe this is a serious safety defect because the engine can fail suddenly while driving at highway speed, drivers may have little warning before loss of power, oil consumption may not trigger adequate warning before catastrophic failure. This creates crash risk, roadside hazard exposure, and potential fire risk.
The contact's mother owned a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's brother parked the vehicle, rolled down the window, and became aware that there was smoke coming from under the hood before the vehicle caught on fire. The contact's brother exited the vehicle and ran away from the vehicle. The contact's brother called the contact and the police about the fire. The Police, bomb squad, and firefighters arrived at the scene. The firefighters extinguished the fire. The Police, bomb squad, and fire department reports were filed. The contact's brother received medical treatment for a severe asthma attack. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the insurance company had not yet declared the vehicle a total loss because the vehicle only had liability coverage. Upon investigation, the contact's brother discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); however, the contact's mother had not received a recall notification. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
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 noticeably affected also, noting a jerking sensation. Several mechanics are unable to identify the issue. There are no dash lights on.
My 2017 Kia Sportage has experienced excessive oil consumption, cylinder #3 misfires, loss of power, and highway stalling events. The dealership initially documented engine damage and indicated findings consistent with internal engine failure, including concerns related to metal contamination and cylinder damage. These issues appear consistent with numerous complaints from other Kia owners involving the same engine family. Kia has since backtracked on prior findings, and both Kia and the dealership have stopped responding to my requests for clarification and documentation. The cylinder damage and related engine failures appear to be symptoms of a larger engine defect that poses a safety risk due to sudden loss of power and stalling while driving. I request that NHTSA investigate these recurring engine failures and Kia’s handling of these claims.
While driving on the interstate at highway speed with cruise control engaged, the engine suffered sudden catastrophic failure with absolutely no prior warning, warning lights, knocking, stalling, or other symptoms. The vehicle became inoperable immediately. The repair estimate is $6,500 for engine replacement. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage equipped with a Theta II 2.4L GDI engine, confirmed by service campaign SC340 on file with NHTSA. Two safety recalls remain incomplete on this vehicle: 21V137 and 22V703. The Knock Sensor Detection System software update campaign SC340 was never completed prior to my purchase of the vehicle in February 2024 from a used car dealer, despite being issued in July 2018. Kia Consumer Affairs indicated the claim would likely be denied due to the incomplete KSDS update, despite that update predating my ownership entirely. A dealer appointment had been scheduled for June 26, 2024 to address outstanding recalls prior to this failure occurring.
Window regulator failure - power window could not be rolled up. Had to be replaced.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine is malfunctioning, increase in oil consumption, MPG dropping, a ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine, and erratic engine behavior with random surges while driving to 6000+ RPM. Brought it into Kia 2x now for same issue and first time said nothing was wrong and second time I am now going through an oil consumption test. Vehicle is still unsafe to drive but they say this is the only option to do their test to move forward with my warranty with Kia. I am driving through mountain passes daily with this behavior and I worry if the engine blows I'll lose control of the vehicle and fall off the cliff. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I am instructed to drive it still. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The engine oil consumption test is happening now, I have driven 500 miles and the engine oil is low, pending to hear back from Kia on when they can get it in for next steps. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, just a Kia dealership (if that is the manufacturer then yes) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. And there is no warning lights for low engine oil. I have driven many times without oil and no warning that the oil was even low. The vehicle burns up oil fast.
I experienced engine failure and the dealership, corporation and warranty are refusing to replace the engine. My engine falls under an engine settlement. The denial states the corporation will not approve because i do not have a system update. The system update was issued while in the dealer’s inventory, part of the Certified Pre Owned inspection, it is required that the dealer updates all recalls & product improvements before certification.
My vehicle engine caught fire after getting gas. It started smoking then went up in flames.
The car has had issues starting even with a brand new battery and will randomly not start. The driver side window does not go down, and the driver side door gets stuck and will not open from the outside. It’s been an ongoing issue for three years. The car will replace the batteries is dead, even though the battery we tested and fine and we randomly say a brake light is out even though the brake light will be fully operational.
My safety is put at risk. My car has stalled two different times on the highway. I was able to get it off the road after restarting the vehicle and coasting out. The engine was worked out by Kia of Mission Viejo. They stated it was not due to Rod bearing, although I was told on a separate occasion that there was metal in my oil in the same scenario then when they submitted the video to Kia, they said they only saw the burnt valve my check engine light has went on a total of three times I’ve had the same exact work done three additional times as well as the knock sensor having to be replaced because it went off and burned out due to what happened on the highway. My car is part of the theta engine issue with Kia
I am reporting a dangerous engine failure involving sudden loss of power and complete engine shutdown. While traveling uphill on I-90 in Massachusetts, my 2017 Kia Sportage suddenly lost engine power and rapidly became unable to maintain speed. I first moved into the right lane due to the power loss, but then had to cross traffic at approximately 20 mph to reach a small emergency shoulder area on the left side of the highway, where the vehicle completely died. This created a serious highway safety hazard for me and other drivers. We were stranded in a highly dangerous location and required assistance from multiple Massachusetts State Troopers due to the unsafe roadside conditions. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership, where they diagnosed: spark plugs covered in oil, multiple cylinder misfires, compression loss in cylinder 3, burnt valve causing failure likely worn valve seals causing oil consumption. The dealership stated the engine had been burning/consuming oil and that the burnt valve caused the loss of compression and sudden breakdown. This vehicle uses the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, which has a long history of engine failures, oil consumption complaints, stalling, and class-action litigation involving sudden engine failure and loss of power. Kia denied coverage by claiming only rod-bearing failures qualify for warranty extension, even though excessive oil consumption and compression loss appear closely related to the same broader engine defect pattern. Other owners have also reported 2017 Sportage excessive oil consumption leading to compression loss and engine failure. I believe this is a serious safety defect because the engine can fail suddenly while driving at highway speed, drivers may have little warning before loss of power, oil consumption may not trigger adequate warning before catastrophic failure. This creates crash risk, roadside hazard exposure, and potential fire risk.
The contact’s mother owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. While the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact's mother noticed an abnormal odor and an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Auto Zone and connected to a diagnostic machine, and DTC: P0128, P1326, and P0014 were retrieved. The contact's mother received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact was unsure if the failure was associated with the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
have a 2017 Kia Sportage and there is something unusual in the airbag compartment on the console in front of the front passenger seat. Although there are no apparent signs of damage or impact, it seems that the airbag has been partially deployed. After seeking input from multiple individuals, they all agreed that this is probably a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, when I contacted Kia, they let me know that they are unable to help me because the vehicle's warranty has expired. I have been a dedicated Kia customer for more than 15 years, having owned five different models throughout that period. I've never come across a manufacturing defect like this in any of my Kia vehicles before.
398 total