This page covers 4 recalls, 385 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Kia Sportage.
21–25 mpg combined
9.4–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2017 Sportage complaint picture by a wide margin. Owners most often describe sudden power loss while driving, with the engine stalling or shutting down entirely, sometimes at highway speeds, requiring a restart to get moving again. A recurring detail is that the engine light comes on alongside the power loss, and some owners report hearing a ticking noise or noticing an unusual smell before or during the failure. A smaller share of engine reports involve smoke or fire. The powertrain and electrical categories each draw a much smaller but roughly equal share of complaints; electrical reports include intermittent no-start conditions and door or window hardware that stops working reliably. The no-start issue tends to persist even after battery replacement, pointing to something beyond a simple battery fault.
385
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
25
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Kia Sportage has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a short circuit in the brake control module that can ignite a fire in the engine compartment, and a fuel leak on vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under an earlier recall or warranty repair.
On vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness, whether installed at the factory or added through a Kia dealership, a wiring fault in the harness can start a fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven. Prior repair attempts on the engine did not fully resolve the underlying issue, making the fuel leak risk relevant to a specific subset of owners who already had engine work done. There is also a lower-severity concern for tow hitch-equipped vehicles: the trailer's brake lights can stay on continuously rather than responding to the brake pedal, which may confuse drivers behind the trailer and raise the risk of a collision.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris and moisture can build up on the tow hitch harness electrical module, causing a short circuit that may start a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the tow hitch harness and replace the fuse or module as needed, at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit may short-circuit, potentially causing a fire in the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles with electronic parking brake will also receive a HECU software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pipe connecting to the fuel pump may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during a previous engine replacement, causing potential fuel leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch wiring harness may malfunction, causing the trailer brake lights to stay on continuously.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
