2018 Kia Sportage
Common Problems
Ranked from 73 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
22 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Excessive Oil Consumption
21complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure and fire hazards.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Electrical system failures causing loss of vehicle functions
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system fails, causing various vehicle functions such as lights, power steering, and engine to malfunction.
- 3
Engine stalls or misfires during operation
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine suddenly stalls or misfires, leading to a loss of power and reduced speed.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine acceleration issues
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine accelerates unexpectedly, sometimes without warning, posing a safety risk.
- 5
Engine overheating and smoking
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and produces smoke, indicating potential internal issues or coolant leaks.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Steering issues causing vehicle instability
6complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering issues cause the vehicle to become unstable, making it difficult to control, especially during turns.
- 7
Transmission issues leading to gear slippage
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips out of gear at certain speeds, posing a safety risk during highway merges.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Vehicle catching fire
6complaintsHigh severityOtherThe vehicle catches fire, often due to electrical or fuel system failures, posing a significant safety risk.
- 9
Engine Failure Due to Low Compression
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences low compression, leading to complete engine failure and potential fire hazards.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine Fire
5complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine catches fire, leading to vehicle destruction and potential injuries.
- 11
Engine Knocking Noise
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a loud knocking noise, indicating potential internal engine failure.
- 12
Sunroof malfunctions leading to structural damage
5complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof malfunctions, leading to structural damage such as explosions and glass shattering.
- 13
Engine Misfire and Cylinder Failure
4complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine misfires and cylinders fail, often requiring expensive repairs or replacement.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Stall and Loss of Power
4complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine stalls and loses power unexpectedly, often without warning, affecting safety and driving ability.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Service Brake Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityBrakesService brakes fail to engage properly, increasing the risk of accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V137000
- 16
Steering System Malfunction
4complaintsLow severitySteeringSteering system malfunctions, causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
- 17
Check Engine Light and Limp Mode
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates, and the vehicle enters limp mode, reducing performance and safety.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Engine Overheating and Cooling Fan Issues
3complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine overheats, causing damage to cooling systems and potentially leading to engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Unintended Acceleration
3complaintsSafety riskEngineVehicle accelerates uncontrollably, posing a significant safety risk to passengers and others.
- 20
Engine Misfire at Low Speeds
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires when accelerating from a stop or low speeds, causing hesitation and a rough start.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Paint Peeling
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe exterior paint begins to peel off, affecting the vehicle's appearance and potentially leading to rust.
- 22
Windshield Cracking Without Impact
2complaintsLow severityOtherWindshields crack without apparent cause, posing a safety hazard.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.