2011 Kia sportage at times won't start but all lights and radio and electrical stuff work. Had new battery put in and checked out it is not battery. It is doing this more and more and I have to let it set for long periods of time then it will start. It can't be boosted off either when this happens. It started and has never stopped.please help.
2011 Kia Sportage electrical problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 29 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Kia Sportage, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 29 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Kia Sportage in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the cabin started filling up with white smoke and she could smell a burning plastic odor. The contact continued driving to her destination. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact attempted to place the vehicle into park(P) and the shift knob failed to move to…
Was driving in cruze crontrol stepped on the gas and vehicle died. I pushed the start button nothing but a warning sign on dash screen that would go blank before I could see what it said. I lifted the hood and check the battery cables they were on tight got back in the truck push the button nothing smelled wires burning seen smoke top of my motors on fire. I was heading north on I-5 near the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 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 electrical problem on the 2011 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 27,000 and 140,000 miles, with the median around 105,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 140,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2011/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.