Reliability and common problems · Kia
Kia Sportage reliability and common problems
4 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what Kia has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the Kia Sportage? What the evidence shows
We don't give the Sportage a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by Kia
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 4
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- Sportage Mk5 (NQ5) (2022 on)0 acknowledged · 0 reported
- Sportage Mk4 (QL) (2015–2022)0 acknowledged · 0 reported
- Sportage Mk3 (SL) (2010–2016)0 acknowledged · 4 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
Sportage Mk5 (NQ5) (2022 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
Nothing reported that met our bar of two independent publishers.
Sportage Mk4 (QL) (2015–2022)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
Nothing reported that met our bar of two independent publishers.
Sportage Mk3 (SL) (2010–2016)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Alloy wheel corrosion and peeling lacquer
Alloy wheels on these models have been prone to corrosion, bubbling paint and peeling lacquer; some were replaced under warranty. Check the wheels closely before buying.
Applies to: Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010–2016), Kia Soul Mk2 (2014–2019), Hyundai Santa Fe Mk3 (2012–2018)
5 sources
- Auto Express — Used Kia Sportage (Mk3, 2010-2016) buyer's guide
- Auto Express — Kia Soul (Mk2, 2014-2019) used buyer's guide
- Auto Express — Used Hyundai Santa Fe (Mk3, 2012-2018) review
- Parkers — Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010-2016) used review and buying guide
- Honest John — Kia Sportage (2010 – 2016) – Honest John (archived)
- Reported by 2 publishersInterior
Front seat covers can tear
The front seats of this Sportage can tear along the sides of the base near the front, where the seat frame chafes the cover, and leather seats have been known to rip. Check the driver's seat bolster in particular.
Applies to: Sportage Mk3 (SL), 2010–2016
- Reported by 2 publishersElectrics
Stop-start (ISG) faults, often down to the battery
Owners of this Sportage have reported problems with the ISG stop-start system. As the special stop-start battery ages the system can stop working or make the car judder as it pulls away, and Kia's warranty excluded the battery and clutch, which left many owners out of pocket. Make sure the correct high-capacity AGM battery is fitted.
Applies to: Sportage Mk3 (SL) with stop-start (ISG), 2010–2016
Only versions with ISG stop-start (What Car?: the lower-powered engines); the picker doesn't record it.
- Reported by 2 publishersFuel system
Diesel: sudden loss of power (fuel filter or coolant)
Some diesel Sportages of this generation have suffered a sudden loss of power. A new fuel filter has cured it on some cars; Auto Express says low coolant level is a more likely cause on the 1.7 CRDi, so check both.
Applies to: Sportage Mk3 (SL) diesel (1.7 and 2.0 CRDi), 2010–2016
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the Kia Sportage reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for Kia Sportage cars built from 2012: 0 problems Kia has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 4 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common Kia Sportage problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: Alloy wheel corrosion and peeling lacquer; Front seat covers can tear; Stop-start (ISG) faults, often down to the battery; Diesel: sudden loss of power (fuel filter or coolant). Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has Kia acknowledged problems with the Sportage?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which Kia acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every Sportage have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history