Kia Sportage years to avoid
The Kia Sportage years to avoid are 2017, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2001, 2002, 2023, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2020, 2015, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2021, 2010 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2003 is the cleanest year on record.
6,797
Total complaints
38
Recall campaigns
1995–2026
Years covered
21
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Sportage years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | High complaints + open investigation | 561 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 558 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 493 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 462 | |
| 2012 | High complaints + open investigation | 454 | |
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 449 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 354 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 321 | |
| 2023 | High complaint rate | 310 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 299 | |
| 2011 | High complaints + open investigation | 264 | |
| 2018 | Open safety investigation | 226 | |
| 2020 | Open safety investigation | 205 | |
| 2015 | Open safety investigation | 195 | |
| 2016 | Open safety investigation | 183 | |
| 2014 | Open safety investigation | 154 | |
| 2008 | Open safety investigation | 138 | |
| 2009 | Open safety investigation | 120 | |
| 2019 | Open safety investigation | 102 | |
| 2021 | Open safety investigation | 62 | |
| 2010 | Open safety investigation | 28 |
Every Sportage year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 86 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 101 | 3 | |
| 2023avoid | 310 | 6 | |
| 2022 | 67 | 1 | |
| 2021avoid | 62 | 2 | |
| 2020avoid | 205 | 2 | |
| 2019avoid | 102 | 2 | |
| 2018avoid | 226 | 3 | |
| 2017avoid | 561 | 4 | |
| 2016avoid | 183 | 2 | |
| 2015avoid | 195 | 2 | |
| 2014avoid | 154 | 3 | |
| 2013avoid | 449 | 3 | |
| 2012avoid | 454 | 5 | |
| 2011avoid | 264 | 6 | |
| 2010avoid | 28 | 2 | |
| 2009avoid | 120 | 3 | |
| 2008avoid | 138 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 113 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 169 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 93 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2002avoid | 321 | 3 | |
| 2001avoid | 354 | 2 | |
| 2000avoid | 462 | 4 | |
| 1999avoid | 493 | 5 | |
| 1998avoid | 558 | 5 | |
| 1997avoid | 299 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 98 | 3 | |
| 1995 | 88 | 2 |
Common questions
What are the worst Kia Sportage years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sportage years to avoid are 2017, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2001, 2002, 2023, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2020, 2015, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2021, 2010. The cleanest year on record is 2003.
What is the best year for the Kia Sportage?
By complaint volume, 2003 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sportage years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Kia Sportage have?
Across all model years, the Sportage has 38 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 6,797 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.