The most-reported Sportage run is KNDJA7233W5 (1998 builds) with 45 complaints, 13.2× the typical run. Engine problems make up 34% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 6.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns for Sportage model years 1995–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Kia Sportage has 1,210 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every Sportage complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNDJA7233W5•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — | |
| KNDJA7230X5•••••• | 1999 | 4 | — | |
| KNDPB3A22C7•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| KNDJA7238W5•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| KNDJA7234Y5•••••• | 2000 | — | 1 | |
| KNDPB3A28D7•••••• | 2013 | — | 1 | |
| KNDPB3A20C7•••••• | 2012 | — | 3 | |
| KNDJA7231Y5•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| KNDJA723XY5•••••• | 2000 | 2 | — | |
| KNDPB3A24C7•••••• | 2012 | — | 2 | |
| KNDPB3A29D7•••••• | 2013 | — | 1 | |
| KNDPB3A27C7•••••• | 2012 | 2 | 1 |
Each of the other 1,198 Sportage runs has 17 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 340 Sportage VINs so far, most often 2026, 2023, 2024 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Kia Sportage the gap between build years is 5.2×: a 2013 car draws 6.7 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 24 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 52 | 38 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 73 | 49 | 7 | |
| 2023 | 189 | 78 | 23 | |
| 2022 | 45 | 35 | 6 | |
| 2021 | 50 | 30 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 160 | 63 | 11 | |
| 2019 | 69 | 36 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 155 | 52 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 388 | 68 | 12 | |
| 2016 | 131 | 42 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 140 | 41 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 119 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 366 | 55 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 373 | 60 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 162 | 60 | 7 | |
| 2010 | 19 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 73 | 29 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 84 | 34 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 65 | 32 | 9 |
Heaviest year here is 2013 at 6.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 34% of everything Kia Sportage owners report: Engine, 1,456 of 4,145 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 95 | |
| Electrical System | 13 | 64 | |
| Service Brakes | 54 | 17 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 | 30 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 | 19 | |
| Power Train | 18 | 6 | |
| Hydraulic | 25 | 8 | |
| Fuel System | 1 | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 38 recall campaigns on the Kia Sportage; the 6 below cover build years 1998 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2011–2018 |
| 22V703000 | Trailer Hitches | 2017–2022 |
| 21V137000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2017–2021 |
| 13V114000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2007–2011 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1998–2002 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1998–2002 |
18V907000 was opened in 2018 on cars built from 2011: 7 years on the road before the recall.
The Sportage against its rivals
The Sportage draws 3.4 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Jeep Wrangler 4.7 and the Honda CR-V 3.7.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage | 4,145 | 1,210 | 6.4% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 4,145 reports on the Kia Sportage, 6.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Kia Sportage | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 4,145 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 264 (6.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 181 (4.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 224 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Kia Sportage share of that is 4,145 complaints over 1,210 runs, 0.37% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Kia Sportage VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 4,145 NHTSA complaints from 1,210 Sportage runs and 38 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Sportage production run has the most complaints?
KNDJA7233W5, a 1998 build, with 45 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Sportage run has 3.4.
Which Sportage years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 6.7 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Sportage get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 3.4 complaints per production run for the Sportage against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Sportage complaints involve a crash?
6.4% of 4,145 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 181 involved a fire.
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