Kia Sportage problems
380 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
- 14 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While driving my 2013 Kia Sportage at 70 mph from Wisconsin to Duluth MN, I heard a tapping coming from the engine. Very quickly, the noise escalated to a very loud knocking. At this time, I thought my engine was going to blow up while driving. I was very frightened by this…
The engine has a loud knocking sound. I turned on my vehicle and when I pressed on the gas I heard a loud knocking sound. I have always been diligent about getting my regular oil changes and services for and have service records for it so thought this was odd. I took it to the…
I have a Kia Sportage Ex 2013 and this motor vehicle has a fire and explotion in the road.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud knocking sound. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had the brakes, four tires, fuel injectors, and spark plugs replaced; however,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Kia Sportage reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 380 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Kia Sportage is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Kia Sportage?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Kia Sportage is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 14 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 278 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 105,595 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 105,595 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Sportage has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Kia Sportage?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 380 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.