Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Kia Sportage problems

Owners filed 20 complaints about the 2010 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Apr 2011 and May 2024. The most-cited component is service brakes, hydraulic (4).

Complaints
20
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  2. Air bags4
  3. Seat belts3
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  6. Power train2
  7. Engine2
  8. Service brakes, air1
  9. Vehicle speed control1
  10. Steering1
  11. Exterior lighting1
  12. Structure1
  13. Electrical system1
  14. Seats1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20121
20131
20140
20150
20160
20171
20187
20190
20201
20211
20220
20232
20245

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The contact also stated that there was a burning rubber odor in the interior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11572889

Air bags

4 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ANIMAL RAN OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE CALL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11141234

Seat belts

3 reports
“I FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE KIA CALLED AND SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE SEAT BELT AS A COURTESY BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY LABOR, DEALER SAID A MOUSE CHEWED IT, I HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND IT IS FRAYED, ONLY ONE, NO OTHER SEAT BELT, COAT, TOWELS, WALMART TOTES NOTHING NOT EVEN THE PAPERS THAT CAME WITH CAR AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES IT EXCEPT FOR DEALERSHIP MECHANICS. I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS THEIR FAULT. I FILED IN SEPTEMBER, AND THEY JUST CALLED A WEEK AGO AND TODAY, IF YOU CAN'T HELP ME I WILL TAKE THE MATTER TO THE STATE POLICE FOR THE SEATBELT FRAYED IS RIGHT ACROSS MY CHEST . NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT IF I AM IN A ACCIDENT I WILL BE HURT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2018Seat beltsODI 11144546

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2024Service brakes, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11586194

Electronic stability control (esc)

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2021Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11395431

Power train

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the 4WD warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, air, Power trainODI 11570381
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.