2017 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 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 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 10923939 · 2016-11-02 (November 2, 2016)
THE CAR SLIGHTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, AT FIRST. I BROUGHT IT UP TO THE SALES PERSON DURING THE DRIVE. THERE WAS ALSO A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME IN THE EVENING FROM THE DEALER. I BROUGHT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ONE OF THE SALES' PEOPLE STATED THAT SOME NEW CARS HAVE SMELLS IN THE BEGINNING AND TO RUN THE AIR THROUGH THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 36 miles reported. Look up ODI 10923939 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 10939172 · 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS THE RPM GO UP BUT THE CAR DOESN'T KICK IN RIGHT AWAY. THE TRANSMISSION? IT LIKE YOU HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND YOU HAVEN'T LET OUT ON THE GAS. DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT IS DOING IT ABOUT ONCE EVERY TIME I DRIVE. IT IS GETTING MORE FREQUENT, WONDERING IF ITS DUE TO COLD WEATHER.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939172 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V862000 · Trailer Hitches | Electrical System
Reported: 2016-11-30 (November 30, 2016)
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."
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗18V907000 · Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗21V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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 contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V703000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗