2017 Kia Sportage problems
The 2017 Kia Sportage has 397 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Kia Sportage has 397 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 153 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,652 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Sportage | 122 | 1 |
| 2015 Sportage | 146 | 0 |
| 2016 Sportage | 130 | 0 |
| 2017 Sportage (this page) | 397 | 0 |
| 2018 Sportage | 159 | 1 |
| 2019 Sportage | 68 | 0 |
| 2020 Sportage | 157 | 0 |
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: 53 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Kia Sportage SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Kia Sportage? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 153 owner reports · tends to show around 78,652 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 53 owner reports · tends to show around 66,668 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 39 owner reports · tends to show around 41,043 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 55,764 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 78,652 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Kia Sportage
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2017 Kia Sportage
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~36,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~60,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~62,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~62,999 miairbags~$1,100
- ~81,174 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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 397 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: 53 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 should I check before buying a used 2017 Kia Sportage?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 153 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,652 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Kia Sportage a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 397 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 78,652 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Kia Sportage?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 153 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 397 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.