Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Kia Sportage problems
Owners filed 181 complaints about the 2011 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Apr 2011 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is engine (77).
Complaints
181
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine77
- Electrical system38
- Power train23
- Exterior lighting12
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Service brakes12
- Vehicle speed control10
- Steering9
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Suspension5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Structure5
- Air bags4
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
8
9
12
4
9
17
18
31
7
11
6
9
23
4
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
77 reports2 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“I'm [XXX] from Brooks Alberta Canada. I purchased this car from a private seller here in Brooks last [XXX] named “Hein Teresa Lorraine” lives in [XXX], Brooks AB T1R 0R7" and she did not include all the details in her car that it has a recall issue with the engine which is the Knock Sensor Problem. After a couple of days of using it I experience engine malfunction, the oil pressure light is keeps on flickering and as I drove from Brooks going to Calgary the engine suddenly stalled and activates the “Lymp Mode”. I cannot able to move forward and almost hit by a huge truck because of that incident. I coordinated with Straightline Kia Medicine Hat that incident, they check the vehicle and test it, after several testings they proved that the vehicle has a engine recall backjob. The check engine code shows P01326 which is responsible for engine stalling while accelerating. Kia Manager "Kent" talk to me and promise me that he will do all the reports to replace the engine. He submitted the report to the engineering department of Kia for the engine replacement but they declined it due to lack of documentation proof for regular maintenance of the vehicle from the…”
Electrical system
38 reports3 fires
“Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road. Passenger front and rear windows won't roll down. Had to replace battery as well. Inside door handles fell off as well as outside rear handles.tire pressure indicator light stays on as well as the park assist and drive train lights stay on.problem with car going in drive sometimes it locks up and have to restart and slam on brakes several times to unlock”
Power train
23 reports2 crashes
“2011 Kia Sportage engine stalling/failure. Has been having oil pressure/heating/oil feed line/consumption issues. Taken to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions for all routine maintenance, including every 3000 oil changes. Owner was told that a catalytic converter was needed in 2021 due to engine stalling/ failure while driving 55-60mph on highway to a rapid deceleration and vehicle would go >20mph. Owner had car towed to Kia dealership and had a new catalytic converter put on in 2021 by dealership. Then in 2022 same engine stalling occurred again. Taken back to dealership and was told car needed waste gate actuator replaced. Owner agreed to cost/repairs. Then during repair was told that another catalytic converter was needed due to sludge/clogging, when one was put on less than 1.5 years prior. With less than 20k miles on new one. Car engine continues failing and will not accelerate above 20-25 mph. Check engine light has come on and been diagnosed numerous times from 2018, when oil issues started to 2023. Both dealership and manufacture are aware of recurrent issues.”
Exterior lighting
12 reports2 related recalls
“My 2011 kia sportage had a recall #23V65200. On [XXX] my radio started smoking and my headlights would not shut off even with car off and keys out. You had to unplug cable from battery for lights to go off and not run battery down. I called kia in bloomington indiana they said to not drive and call customer service to have towed. i called on [XXX] and talked to a lady, she was very rude and dismissive. Said they would not tow due to my kia being a 2011 it was to old and they would only tow if above 2015. She then said I had to pay and only if the lights and smoke was because of recall they would pay. But I did not know or have extra money for this and nowhere in our papers about recall does it say it had to be a certain year to tow, only to stop driving and call. So my disabled husband drove it to the dealership in bloomington on [XXX] and dropped off even though they were at risk. I did not hear anything from kia and called to make sure they received auto. They had said they found my car and did not know it was there on June 19th. My husband told a person there he dropped it off and I guess they didn't get messages. After having my car and me telling them what…”
Service brakes, hydraulic
12 reports2 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2011 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Service brakes
12 reports3 crashes
“I was driving down the highway at 55 mph with the cruise control on and when I came to a stoplight where I had to make a right, the brakes would not depress they were frozen or a hard break pedal. Apparently in 2023 Kia recalled 98,944 Kia Sportage SUVs due to a brake booster issue. My Kia is a 2011. It was very scary and I am having my vehicle towed to a Kia Dealership”
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.