2007 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 77 complaints (16.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 35.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 15.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 13.0% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
Electrical System: 13; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 11; Air Bags: 10; Service Brakes: 9; Steering: 9; Engine: 8; Exterior Lighting: 8; Seat Belts: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 10
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 5; 2012: 7; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 9; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10204194 · 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED AND VIBRATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTROLLER FAILED. THE ESC OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED. GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 700.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253718 · 2009-01-04 (January 4, 2009)
ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP AND STARTED SQUEALING. VERY COLD WEATHER (10 DEGREES) OUTSIDE. HAPPENED WHEN I WAS JUST STARTING OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223975 · 2008-04-07 (April 7, 2008)
2007 KIA SPORTAGE STEERING WHEEL NOISE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE OR A SOLUTION. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP WITH HIS PROBLEM. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10223975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10346432 · 2010-07-30 (July 30, 2010)
IT STARTED FEB 22ND, 2010 WHEN A SENSOR ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE AND I HAD POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP. KIA OF REDDING REPLACED THE PUMP @ 59K MILES. THEN ON JULY 9TH, SAME THING HAPPENED AS STEERING LOCKED UP IN TRAFFIC IN EUREKA, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 175 MILES BACK TO REDDING KIA. HAD AROUND 73K MILES ON IT. CAR RETURNED AFTER FIXING SAME ISSUE FROM FEB. ON JULY 16TH. ON JULY 17TH AFTER LESS THAN 100 MILES, KIA POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN IN TRAFFIC IN REDDING. SAME PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504205 · 2013-03-22 (March 22, 2013)
WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER, I WILL LOOSE POWER STEERING AFTER DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OFF. IT COMES BACK AFTER A MINUTE OR SO, BUT WHEN IT GOES OUT, THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10410288 · 2011-07-02 (July 2, 2011)
I DROVE FROM AVONDALE, ARIZONA TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOR A SUMMER STAY EXACTLY 6 WEEKS AGO, MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE CONTINUES TO STALL AND TURN OFF WHILE IDLING OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 1 MONTH AND 3 ATTEMPTS TO HAVE KIA REPAIR IT. I DECIDED TO DO A SEARCH ONLINE TONIGHT AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EUREKA! THIS APPARENTLY IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH KIA BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR CARS STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND BEING UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED! IT'S BACK AT A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME IN A MONTH SINC…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,675 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511361 · 2013-05-10 (May 10, 2013)
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR ON THE VEHICLE BEING MOUNTED 'LOW TO THE GROUND'. WELL, THE ALTERNATOR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED, AND I H…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470582 · 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,684.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,684 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553488 · 2013-11-22 (November 22, 2013)
IN MARCH 2013 I HAD CASEY KIA INSTALL A REFURBISHED ENGINE TO REPLACE MY BAD ENGINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET I SPENT ABOUT 3300.00. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO WHICH I HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES UNTIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013. IT STARTED BINDING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR. FLUID WAS ALSO ON RADIATOR. CASEY ALSO INSTALLED RADIATOR AT THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. THEY SAID IN THEIR REPORT THEY REPLACED ALL FLUIDS AND REPLACED FILTERS. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO AMMOCO TRAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365706 · 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOG INJECTOR FAILED DUE TO DIESEL FUEL BEING USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 500 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,015.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280461 · 2019-11-16 (November 16, 2019)
MY 07 SPORTAGE HAD DEVELOPED A MYSTERIOUS CREAK NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND GOING OVER BATCHES AND BUMPS(WHICH I IGNORED). THIS PROGRESSED INTO A RATHER LOUD CLUNK GOING OVER BUMPS THAT YOU COULD ALSO FEEL IN THE FLOORBOARDS. THIS PROMPTED ME TO TAKE A LOOK SEE AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. TURNS OUT, THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE REAR CHASSIS CROSSMEMBER THAT MOUNTS THE UPPER TRAILING ARMS FOR THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD ROTTEN CLEAN THROUGH AND THE MOUNTING ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD BROKEN FREE. HERE YOU CAN SEE THE REM…
Owner-reported narrative. 210,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280461 at NHTSA ↗