Verdict
2025 Kia Sportage: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2025 Kia Sportage — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 67 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 85% of 2025 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (19%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2025 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
67
Reports to NHTSA, 2025
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
31.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 85% of 2025 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2025 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (19% of 67 reports), followed by unknown or other (19%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 67 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11742525, ODI 11726758, ODI 11717037, ODI 11716480, ODI 11714621.
Recalls(1)
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.
Trailer Hitches · 25V874000Details +Close −
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.
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
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2025 Kia Sportage SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2025 Kia Sportage SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage Hybrid FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 42 | 44 | 43 |
| Sportage Hybrid AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 36 | 35 | 35 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| Sportage X-pro | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 27 | 25 |
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.
2025 Kia Sportage: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2025 Kia Sportage?
Owners filed 67 NHTSA complaints about the 2025 Kia Sportage — more complaints than 85% of comparable 2025 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 2025 Kia Sportage?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (19% of complaints) and unknown or other (19%).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sportage have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2025 Kia Sportage, covering components such as trailer hitches. 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 2025 Kia Sportage get?
The EPA rates the 2025 Kia Sportage between 25 and 43 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.