The 2018 Kia Sportage's elevated safety profile includes 3 recall campaigns and 153 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

153

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V1370002021-04-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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.

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

22V7030002022-19-09

TRAILER HITCHES

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.

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

View at NHTSA

18V9070002018-19-12

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

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

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2018 Kia Sportage has accumulated 153 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with engine leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Engine52

02Unknown Or Other11

03Electrical System11

04Engine,fuel/propulsion System5

05Power Train5

153 total across 1 model years (2018–2018)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Kia Sportage Fuel Economy

21–26mpg combined

20-23city

23-30hwy

$1,700-$2,100/yr

With 6 configurations tested, the 2018 Kia Sportage ranges from 21 to 26 MPG combined. That's a 5 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Sportage FE FWD - Automatic (S6)

26mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

23 city30 hwy~$1,700/yr5/10 Average

Sportage FWD - Automatic (S6)

25mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

22 city29 hwy~$1,750/yr5/10 Average

Sportage AWD - Automatic (S6)

23mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

21 city25 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Sportage FWD - Automatic (S6)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

21 city26 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Sportage FE AWD - Automatic (S6)

22mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

21 city25 hwy~$2,000/yr4/10 Average

Sportage AWD - Automatic (S6)

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

20 city23 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2018 Kia Sportage

37States

27%in top 3

If you're near Florida, you're in luck: 11% of listings are there. But with 37 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

FLFlorida

2,80711%

TXTexas

2,5119%

CACalifornia

1,9297%

PAPennsylvania

1,5206%

OHOhio

1,2265%

ILIllinois

1,1194%

DCWashington DC

9744%

MOMissouri

9564%

NYNew York

8773%

NJNew Jersey

8583%

DEDelaware

8413%

MDMaryland

8263%

GAGeorgia

7823%

NCNorth Carolina

7193%

AZArizona

6803%

WAWashington

6462%

OKOklahoma

5902%

INIndiana

5422%

OROregon

5252%

MIMichigan

5022%

UTUtah

4752%

TNTennessee

4492%

MNMinnesota

4342%

NH366

CO342

NV268

WI258

RI220

VA195

AR187

MA174

AL172

ID161

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2018.

2018 Kia Sportage Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2018 Kia Sportage a good car to buy?

The 2018 Kia Sportage has 3 recalls on record. There are 3 recalls on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is engine, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 2018 Kia Sportage?

NHTSA shows 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Sportage. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2018 Kia Sportage?

Depending on configuration, the 2018 Kia Sportage delivers 21–26 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 2018 Kia Sportage?

ENGINE is the number-one complaint area for the 2018 Kia Sportage, based on 153 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.