Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Kia Sportage problems

Owners filed 404 complaints about the 2017 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (222).

Complaints
404
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
28
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine222
  2. Electrical system63
  3. Power train41
  4. Structure24
  5. Fuel/propulsion system21
  6. Vehicle speed control18
  7. Air bags16
  8. Exterior lighting15
  9. Service brakes15
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  11. Steering9
  12. Engine and engine cooling8
  13. Wheels6
  14. Visibility5

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 Nov 3, 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
20167
201719
201823
201937
202031
202141
202251
202361
202445
202550
202639

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

Engine

222 reports3 crashes19 fires
“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and needed to be towed. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,343.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026EngineODI 11773271

Electrical system

63 reports7 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Kia Sportage. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,600. The Carfax report listed the mileage as 140,000 in 2024. The contact stated that the vehicle was insured but not yet registered. The contact reported the odometer fraud to the Attorney General of Massachusetts. The contact emailed the dealer about the mileage discrepancy, and the dealer informed her that they were no longer leasing the vehicle. The current actual mileage was 174,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11772332

Power train

41 reports2 crashes
“While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." This created an immediate, severe collision hazard with surrounding high-speed traffic. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage with a 2.4L Theta II engine, which had previously received the mandated KSDS safety software flash. The authorized dealership (Southwest Kia) refused to honor the safety recall and lifetime warranty parameters for this engine failure, instead classifying the issue as a "burnt valve" to deny coverage and forcing an out-of-pocket retail customer charge of $6,864.49 for a full engine assembly replacement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11767043

Structure

24 reports1 crash2 fires
“I need a recall on the paint for the 2017 Sportage Burnished Copper KIA. I've seen many others this color with the same paint fading issue. I contacted KIA and was basically told warranty expired.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2025StructureODI 11686062

Fuel/propulsion system

21 reports1 crash1 fire
“After fueling, vehicle idled fine with no warning lights. Once pulling onto the highway and making highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration, and was stranded in the highway. We required the assistance of law enforcement to direct traffic. It was 10pm and the temperatures were 35 degree below zero with the windchill. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership, where they diagnosed loss of compression in the pistons. The dealership stated the engine had been burning/consuming oil and that the burnt valve caused the loss of compression and sudden breakdown. This vehicle uses the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, which has a long history of engine failures, oil consumption complaints, stalling, and class-action litigation involving sudden engine failure and loss of power. Kia denied coverage by claiming only rod-bearing failures qualify for warranty extension, even though excessive oil consumption and compression loss appear closely related to the same broader engine defect pattern. Other owners have also reported 2017 Sportage excessive oil consumption leading to compression loss and engine failure. I believe this is a serious safety defect because the engine…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11748466

Vehicle speed control

18 reports4 crashes
“One day as I was turning at a green light the car completely stopped on me. I had to turn it off and then restart it and it worked fine. About a week later I had to drive to my cousin's house 45 minutes away and the car would not go, it acted like it was stalling and It didn't want to go over 2000RPMs and it was really sluggish like it didn't want to shift into the next gear. I finally got on the highway and it would not go past 60 miles an hour and then also if you try to drive it, it will slow down like its shutting off on you. I've had a new battery replaced, 4 new tires a windshield, and wipers replaced. I took the car to AutoZone and also to another guy and both of them used their computers and said that it's the engine and they called it rod knocking. I called customer service and they said yes their is a recall and that they would replace the engine. I tried to call kia in mesquite Texas because that is the closest one to me and I left a voicemail they did not call me back I am carless I'm a single disabled mother I need a working car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2026Air bags, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11749087
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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