Verdict
2018 Kia Sportage: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Kia Sportage — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 158 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 63% of 2018 SUVs. Engine leads the reports (38%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
158
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
23
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 63% of 2018 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (38% of 158 reports), followed by electrical system (14%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 158 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11740223, ODI 11740228, ODI 11695264, ODI 11626883, ODI 11565333.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Service BrakesApr 2021 · 21V137000Details +Close −
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Fuel System · 18V907000Details +Close −
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Trailer Hitches · 22V703000Details +Close −
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Kia Sportage SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Kia Sportage SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FE FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 | 26 | 23 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 | 25 | 23 |
| Sportage FE AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 | 25 | 22 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 23 | 21 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Kia Sportage: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Kia Sportage?
Owners filed 158 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Kia Sportage — more complaints than 63% of comparable 2018 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Kia Sportage?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (38% of complaints) and electrical system (14%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sportage have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Kia Sportage, covering components such as service brakes. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Sportage get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Sportage between 21 and 26 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.