2017 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
399 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 181 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 219 of 399 complaints (54.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 49 | 12.3% |
| Engine operation | 46 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 6.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 219 |
| Unknown Or Other | 69 |
| Electrical System | 59 |
| Power Train | 39 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
Engine: 219; Unknown Or Other: 69; Electrical System: 59; Power Train: 39; Structure:Body: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Air Bags: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 57 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 57; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 218 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 50 |
| 2026 | 34 |
2016: 7; 2017: 19; 2018: 23; 2019: 37; 2020: 31; 2021: 41; 2022: 51; 2023: 61; 2024: 45; 2025: 50; 2026: 34
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 46 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 24 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 10899004 · 2016-08-26 (August 26, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE STREET IN MY COMMUNITY I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. I STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDDLE WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. MY CAR GLIDED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. MY CAR'S MILEAGE WAS 810 MILES. I CALLED KIA AUTO REPAIR. THEY TOOK ME IN THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE BRAKE CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 810 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10990684 · 2017-05-19 (May 19, 2017)
HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH KIA SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DEC. OF 2016 TO NO AVAIL. PAID AN ADDITIONAL $4700 TO GET THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE GONE TO OTHER KIA DEALERS UNDER THE GUISE OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AND NOT ONE OF THE FOUR DEALERS THAT I TESTED THE CAR AT COULD GET THIS SYSTEM TO WORK. I HAVE INFORMED KIA OF THIS FACT BUT JUST KEEP STONE WALLING ME. MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION IS TO GO TO THE BBB, I THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS SINCE IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO INTEND TO INFORM THE CE…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10990684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872312 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE STARTER AND SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10938503 · 2016-12-29 (December 29, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY SPARK PLUG AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10938503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057847 · 2018-01-01 (January 1, 2018)
WITH ONLY 6762 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, GOING 79-80 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE WITHOUT WARNING: (1) LOUD THUNK UNDER THE HOOD (2) ENGINE STOPPED (3) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING AUDIO, DASHBOARD, AND HEADLIGHTS (4) RAPID DECELERATION, AS IF I HAD SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES (THOUGH I HAD NOT). (5) APPROACHING THE SHOULDER, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE ALSO INACTIVE. AFTER PUTTING IN PARK, IT MIRACULOUSLY STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND GOT ME HOME. BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,762 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111138 · 2018-07-13 (July 13, 2018)
I HIT A SMALL DEER AT 73MPH TOTALED MY KIA HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE HOOD CAME UP AND BUSTED MY WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED GLASS TO GET IN MY EYES. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT KNOCKED THE BATTERY OUT AND BUSTER THE RADIATOR, HADN'T MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT YET.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882617 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
2017 KIA SPORTAGE. DRIVER REMOTE STARTS VEHICLE, UNLOCKS VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY SHIFTS FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR, WITHOUT PUSHING START/STOP BUTTON, AND WITHIN 10 SECONDS ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. ANTI-THEFT PROGRAMMED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE 10 SECONDS AFTER UNLOCKING DOORS UNLESS THE START/STOP BUTTON HAS BEEN PUSHED. THERE IS NO WAY THAT DRIVER SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF SHIFTING OUT OF PARK UNTIL THE AFTER THE START/STOP BUTTON HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. NOTE: THIS IS A CORRECTION FOR COMPLAINT # 10872312, REFERENCE 970797
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10904405 · 2016-09-07 (September 7, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING , ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE VEERS SLIGHTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AND TAKES CONSTANT CORRECTIONS TO KEEP IT DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT OVER CORRECTIONS AND THE STEERING ALSO FEELS VERY LOOSE. IT FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ALIGNMENT AND OTHER FACTORS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING PER SAY WRONG WITH THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910527 · 2016-09-29 (September 29, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ANIMAL CHEWED THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11056310 · 2017-12-24 (December 24, 2017)
ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS - 2X IN ONE WEEK. TOWED BOTH TIMES. DEALER UNABLE TO DETECT PROBLEM, SAID TO JUST DRIVE IT AND CALL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. GAS SMELL WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 11056310 at NHTSA ↗