PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Kia Sportage engine problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 7 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Kia Sportage, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
KIA MOTORS: FOR FUEL ADAPTION IMPROVEMENT THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE 2007-2008 SPORTAGE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO AN ENGINE HESITATION OR THE ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) FOR P0123 (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR / SWITCH (A) CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MUFFLER PIPE DRAIN ICE ACCUMULATION IN VERY LOW CLIMATE CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE A NO START ENGINE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Drivine on road approx speed 35 miles per hour and experienced burning smell. The temperature gauge immediately went from the middle of the gauge to hot. I pulled out of the road as soon as this happened and the steering wheel locked up. I exited the vehicle immediately as there were large billows of smoke coming from the engine . There was fire under the right front side of the vehicle. I…
In march 2013 I had casey Kia install a refurbished engine to replace my bad engine because the mileage had surpassed the warranty. Out of pocket I spent about 3300.00. I drove this car for another six months to which I had no known issues until on november 19, 2013. It started binding and hard shifting from 2-3 gear. Fluid was also on radiator. Casey also installed radiator at the time the…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Kia Sportage?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 122,392 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Kia/Sportage.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.