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.
2017 kia Sportage powertrain problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the contact would experience illness and dizziness which required medical attention. No additional information was available. Also while operating the vehicle the engine oil light would continue to illuminate although oil was being added to the engine and the vehicle would experience jerking and hesitation w…
AWD lock engaged but not functioning and no error lights indicating the such. This made the vehicle slip aggressively on lightly snowed roads. Once parked it needed to be winched out as only the front wheels spun, not engaging the rear tires.
Transmission intermittently goes into neutral while driving causing engine rev, loss of ability to continue to drive/maintain speed. Very dangerous as you have to drift to the side of the road and put the transmission into Park and back to Drive to get it to engage again. Meanwhile you could easily be struck by another car trying due to sudden loss of momentum with no brake light warning or tryi…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light blinking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because the vehicle was under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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