The Lemon Index2010 Kia Sportage.
The 2010 Kia Sportage is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 3 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 9, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about seats, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. It's the best Kia Sportage year we track.
One of the most reliable. 11.1× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2000
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 20 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Sportage year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 63K to 108K miles on the car (12 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- brakes 2023
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- lights 2013
Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 24 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Uneven shifting gears and no start condition in power train control module (pcm)
- 6-speed automatic transaxle inhibitor switch bracket installation - this bulletin provides…
- MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Kia Sportage reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 11.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 9; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Kia Sportage problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (33%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and airbags (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Sportage have?
2 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Sportage get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Kia Sportage have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Kia Sportage cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Kia Sportage have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works