The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Sportage · 2017

2017 Kia Sportage. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index148100 = average car
Complaints117NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold72,824U.S. model year
Per 100K sold161complaints
Year rank#15 of 18#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD21 / 26 / 23Regular$2,700
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD20 / 23 / 21Regular$2,950
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD22 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD21 / 25 / 23Regular$2,700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,200 and 82,300 miles. Median 54,500, from 180 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine67,00026,000–100,00083
Electrical60,00034,800–82,50028
Transmission & drivetrain37,00012,400–66,20024
Body structure59,40033,200–71,30012
Fuel or ev drive system20,60010,900–58,0009

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine38%
Electrical15%
Transmission & drivetrain15%
Body structure10%
Fuel or ev drive system8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
401142717045

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 22V703000 Sep 2022 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

    Risk. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

  • 21V137000 Mar 2021 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

    Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

    Risk. An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may

  • 18V907000 Dec 2018 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

    Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

    Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

  • 16V862000 Nov 2016 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023–
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023

Manufacturer communications 191

Kia filed 191 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • R1234yf oil and dye injectors - using fluorescent leak detection dye in vehicles a/c system…
  • E-cvvt cover and motor plug replacement - this bulletin provides information about the…
  • E-CVVT COVER AND MOTOR PLUG REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information about the…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Sportage SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Sportage SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2014261242,945Visibility
2015402153,739Engine
2016362981,066Engine
201714811772,824Engine
2018675682,823Engine
2019252389,278Engine
2020897084,343Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data