The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Sportage · 2018

2018 Kia Sportage. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index67100 = average car
Complaints56NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold82,823U.S. model year
Per 100K sold68complaints
Year rank#10 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)FWD23 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
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 9,300 and 64,800 miles. Median 18,400, from 51 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine18,4009,100–62,40025
Electrical9,4001,000–39,5007
Transmission & drivetrain39,50036,000–45,2005
Speed control87,0006,500–158,5005
Engine100,00050,100–127,5005

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
Engine46%
Electrical25%
Transmission & drivetrain12%
Steering12%
Fuel or ev drive system7%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1647124012

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023–

Manufacturer communications 133

Kia filed 133 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 2.4L ENGINE START LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320) - This bulletin has been revised to include
  • PITSTOP - ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SELF-CHECK NOISE - This Pitstop provides information…
  • Vehicle product improvement: engine replacement instructions for dtc p1326 (pi1802w/x)- this…

Crash ratings by version

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

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015402153,739Engine
2016362981,066Engine
201714811772,824Engine
2018675682,823Engine
2019252389,278Engine
2020897084,343Engine
2021242294,601Engine

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