Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Kia Sportage problems

Owners filed 47 complaints about the 2022 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Jan 2022 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (22).

Complaints
47
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine22
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Forward collision avoidance5
  4. Trailer hitches4
  5. Power train3
  6. Fuel/propulsion system3
  7. Visibility3
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Seats2
  10. Service brakes2
  11. Steering2
  12. Air bags2
  13. Engine and engine cooling1
  14. Tires1

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
202210
202312
20248
20255
202612

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

22 reports2 fires
“I purchased my 2022 Kia Sportage in 2021 from Kia Store East here in Louisville. On Oct. 9th, for the first time in five years, I saw an engine light on in my car and the car started shaking. The dealer could not get me in until Oct. 20th, 2026. I received a call on Oct. 22nd stating that the vehicle has a cylinder 1 misfire. The dealership scoped the cylder one and found a hole in the exhaust valve. The fix for a five year old car with 105K miles? A long engine block replacement to the tune of $9,723. There is an issue with these Kia engines that extends beyond the current settlement. I was on the highway when this happened. I could have easily been in an accident on the expressway. The oil in the engine was almost empty (no oil light) and the engine failing (this was the first time I saw an engine light).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026EngineODI 11775012

Electrical system

8 reports2 crashes
“Our 2022 Sportage backup camera screen has gone completely blank creating an immediate rear visibility safety hazard that violates federal back up camera standards. The manual indicated fuse is still functional and the infotainment reset does not resolve the issue. The entire system remains nonfunctioning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11754366

Forward collision avoidance

5 reports2 crashes
“I recently filed a safety problem concerning my brakes activating for no reason. It had happened 3 times before I filed. It want to report that it happened a 4th time. On New Year's Eve, at approximately 6:20PM, I was driving on a 4 lane road about 35-40 MPH when my brakes slammed down hard. There was a long beeping sound only while the car was breaking but no other indicators. It was raining and dark. I braced myself for impact. I thought for sure my car was going to slide into something. There were no cars in front of me in either direction nor where any cars behind. Nothing obstructing the road. Nothing to give my car a reason to do that. Luckily there wasn't anyone behind me or else I absolutley would have been rear ended. The brakes locked for approximately 3-4 seconds before they let up. I am very happy that I wasn't on the highway at the time. I called Kia the day after New Year's. This time I was offered to bring in the car and get a loaner to drive while they take a look at it. This is the 4th time in 3 months this has happened.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2024Forward collision avoidanceODI 11562998

Trailer hitches

4 reports1 related recall
“Kia had come out with a recall immediately after purchasing and installing our tow hitch on our 2022 Kia Sportage. It has been almost 18 months with no remedy. I've taken it to the dealer multiple times and called Kia themselves both say they can't do anything. Every single aftermarket tow hitch is completely safe to use other than the Kia branded one. I paid almost $700 to get a tow hitch installed at 14k miles and now nearing 40k miles and haven't used it a single time. I have been running in circles trying to get any information. They say it's a short circuit but why they haven't adopted the method all other aftermarket parts have that have no issues makes zero sense after all this time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2023Trailer hitchesODI 11557755

Power train

3 reports
“Vehicle developed a cylinder 3 misfire that progressed to engine failure. The engine began running rough and lost power during normal operation. Dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and advised that a complete engine replacement is required. Prior to failure, the vehicle experienced significant oil loss, with oil leaking and rapidly depleting despite proper maintenance. Oil levels dropped abnormally between services. No adequate warning was provided before the engine condition worsened. Failure resulted in loss of engine performance and required towing. Vehicle was properly maintained. Repair cost exceeds reasonable expectations for vehicle age and mileage. Dealer advised that required engine parts are on backorder, leaving the vehicle inoperable for an extended period.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11714581

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports1 crash
“While driving my 2022 Kia Sportage, the brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal hard several times and the vehicle did not slow down or stop at all. There was no braking pressure and no warning lights. Because the brakes failed completely, I crashed directly into a guardrail. The airbags deployed on impact. This was not driver error, it was a sudden and total brake system failure. The vehicle is currently in a wreck yard and requires immediate manufacturer inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11701175
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.