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Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

2017 Kia Sportage — Known Issues & Recalls

4 Recalls375 Owner Complaints10 Categories Affected
375
Total Complaints
4
Open Recalls
14
Crashes
24
Fires
18
Injuries

Complaints from Jan 2018 to Dec 2024

The most reported issue is engine problems (130 complaints). 14 complaints involved crashes. 24 involved fires.

Open Safety Recalls (4)

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 18V907000

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Apr 2021

NHTSA Campaign: 21V137000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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 fire in the engine compartment.

Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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 junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 16V862000

Component: TRAILER HITCHES

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 22V703000

Component: TRAILER HITCHES

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 375)

Engine10 issues
criticalENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your car made an unusual noise and lost power while driving, forcing you to pull over immediately. A mechanic determined the engine has stopped working and requires a complete replacement.

NHTSA #: 11724424
criticalENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

My 2017 Kia Sportage with approximately 98,000 miles suddenly started using oil at times. It would go for several trips with everything fine and then it would be a quart low. I continued to drive it and check the oil before every trip.

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NHTSA #: 11723985
criticalENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

On 11/21/2025, while operating my vehicle, I experienced a critical engine failure. The engine failed a compression test, with readings as follows: Cylinder 1: 125 PSI Cylinder 2: 60 PSI Cylinder 3: 25 PSI Cylinder 4: 3 PSI As a result, the engine had no compression in multiple cylinders, preventing the vehicle from starting. The vehicle exhibited [smoke, stalling, or other observable symptoms].

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NHTSA #: 11706505
criticalENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

My wife was driving home from work on 10-15-2025 when the car started to lose power and started shaking, vibrating really bad. She got off the exit and at the red light and it died. She called me crying and scared.

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NHTSA #: 11701584
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

On November 2, while driving my 10-year-old son to a soccer game, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of power at road speed. The vehicle's failure to provide a "limp-home mode" or any sensor warnings prior to stalling created a significant life-safety risk for my son and me as we had to coast across traffic to a safe location where the car stalled.

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NHTSA #: 11706150
highENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

October 2, 2025 no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance. Dealer put almost four quarts of oil in car to start an Oil Consumption Test of 1,000 miles.

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NHTSA #: 11701544
highENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

My Kia engine has failed and Kia is refusing to submit or honor my engine replacement claim under the known engine defect class action/recall. The dealer told me that the claim cannot be submitted because a prior owner did not receive the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update.

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NHTSA #: 11701310
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2026

On 1/10 about 1.5 hour driving out of town later engine started idling low. Pulled over, replaced spark plugs and engine coil and still idling rough. Took vehicle for diagnostics of a broken head in the valve.

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NHTSA #: 11710643
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

Car shut off middle of driving. mechanic said engine is seized, and no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance.

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NHTSA #: 11700901
lowENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

Kia Sportage has had serious oil consumption issues for 3 years. And recently is loosing pressure in cylinder 2 as a result of excessive carbon build up on valves and head from oil burning in the combustion chamber.

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NHTSA #: 11716123
Unknown Or Other2 issues
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2026

Catastrophic engine failure, no oil, over 3 qts low, oil light did not come on, 4 Cylinder had no compression. In summary: On [XXX] oil light came on, how? I just had oil change on 7/28/25.

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NHTSA #: 11710530
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2025

*Component or System: Power window system / electrical system *What Happened? The manufacturer issued a recall for a defect in the power window system. When I brought my vehicle to the authorized service center, I was informed that the recall repair applies only to the front power windows, even though the same malfunction and defect are clearly present in the rear windows as well.

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NHTSA #: 11701064
Power Train,unknown Or Other,engine1 issue
criticalPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

The vehicle has had recurring drivability problems since at least June 2024, including repeated check engine light illumination and severe loss of acceleration. On 06/19/2024, dealership service records document that the check engine light was on and the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 MPH, and the check engine light was flashing.

NHTSA #: 11720092
Electrical System,unknown Or Other,engine1 issue
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

"I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure (rod knock/bearing failure) in my 2017 Kia Sportage, consistent with the Theta II GDI defect. The failure caused a sudden loss of motive power while in traffic, creating a significant safety risk. Furthermore, I am reporting Bill Dodge Kia (Westbrook, ME) for safety negligence.

NHTSA #: 11714822
Engine And Engine Cooling,electrical System1 issue
criticalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jan 2026

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH on the highway, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of smoke inside the vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11709334
Power Train1 issue
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2025

Transmission stops drive ability at various times when pulling out into traffic it stops accelerating and the engine just revs high RPM’s until it slams itself back into a power gear. I have stalled several times recently pulling into traffic and was nearly involved in a wreck because a momentary lack of acceleration.

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NHTSA #: 11701078
Engine,fuel/propulsion System1 issue
lowENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2026

The Catalytic Converter in the Kia. We were driving to Texas to take my kids out for mini vacation and it’s cut off right in the middle of the highway. My car was running just fine everything was fix properly.

NHTSA #: 11720579
Engine And Engine Cooling1 issue
lowENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2026

See attached document for complaint.

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NHTSA #: 11708816
Power Train,wheels,unknown Or Other1 issue
lowPOWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2025

AWD lock engaged but not functioning and no error lights indicating the such. This made the vehicle slip aggressively on lightly snowed roads. Once parked it needed to be winched out as only the front wheels spun, not engaging the rear tires.

NHTSA #: 11704111
Electrical System,wheels1 issue
lowELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS
Filed: Nov 2025

Air conditioner, have short circuit, it works at liveral. A wired is coming out from box underneath steering wheel. And the worst problem is the tires were totally unsafe to drive, found out this problem on Nov.

NHTSA #: 11700981

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