2022 Kia Sportage problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 44 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2022 Kia Sportage has 44 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 15 complaints, typically surfacing around 46,500 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Sportage | 68 | 0 |
| 2020 Sportage | 157 | 0 |
| 2021 Sportage | 47 | 1 |
| 2022 Sportage (this page) | 44 | 0 |
| 2023 Sportage | 183 | 3 |
| 2024 Sportage | 66 | 2 |
| 2025 Sportage | 49 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above 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.
Buying a used 2022 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 — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 46,500 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 4,800 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 42,000 mi · ~$350 to fix
- powertrain — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 60,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 46,500 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: 8.2/10 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 2022 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 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I purchased my 2022 Kia Sportage on September 15, 2021. In February 2022, there was a deep freeze. When then weather warmed up, there was a crack in my windshield. I took the car in for it's 6 month service and the window was replaced. On Christmas morning 2023, there was a…
Engine began to knock on [XXX] on my way home from work. Drove to work and back the next day, but heard a loud CLUNK when I started it to head home. Stopped at auto parts store and checked oil. Completely dry dip stick (after wiping it clean). Added 2 qts of synthetic since I…
A few weeks ago while on the highway my check engine light started blinking and the car started to slow down and wouldn’t go over 25 miles per hour. My oil pressure light also light up. There was no oil at all. I took it in for an oil change because it was due soon. And…
While driving my 2022 Kia Sportage, the brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal hard several times and the vehicle did not slow down or stop at all. There was no braking pressure and no warning lights. Because the brakes failed completely, I crashed…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2022 Kia Sportage reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 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 2022 Kia Sportage?
On the NHTSA data, the 2022 Kia Sportage does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above 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 2022 Kia Sportage?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 15 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 2022 Kia Sportage a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 44 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 2022 Kia Sportage?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 15 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 46,500 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 2022 Kia Sportage?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 44 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.