Kia Sportage problems
387 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.
- 11 fire-related complaints on the engine
- Electrical system: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 37,000–80,000 mi
- 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 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Kia sportage. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on another occasion while driving 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to be repaired, but the failure recurred. The…
I was driving home on i-91 S when my car started smoking from under the hood. There were no warning lights and the temperature gauge read normal with the lever at the center. I pulled off at the next Exit and parked in a parking lot. I popped the hood and found that a fire had…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Kia sportage. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine consumed oil very quickly. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated the…
Engine failure occurs while in motion on city streets - 2x in one week. Towed both times. Dealer unable to detect problem, said to just drive it and call if it happens again. Gas smell when this happens.
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 2017 Kia Sportage reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 387 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Kia Sportage?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 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: 11 fire-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 37,000–80,000 mi; 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 2017 Kia Sportage?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 148 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,652 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 78,652 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 2017 Kia Sportage?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 387 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.