TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

Sportage years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published Fourth generation guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2017
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2017-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-5871

Applicable issues

  • Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires investigation (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2017 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2017; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2017 authority →
2018
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2018-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-5908

Applicable issues

  • Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires investigation (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2018; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2018 authority →
2019
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2019-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-5943

Applicable issues

  • Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires investigation (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2019 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2019 authority →
2020
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2020-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-5979

Applicable issues

  • Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires investigation (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2020 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2020; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2020 authority →
2021
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2021-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-6013

Applicable issues

  • Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires investigation (high; mitigation only) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2021 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2021 authority →
2022
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_kia-sportage-2022-recall-recall-22v703000-obs-6045

Applicable issues

  • Trailer Hitches safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 4 reviewed 2022 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2022; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2022 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_kia-sportage-2017-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-58712017 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires 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.”
NHTSAinvestigationNov 2023Open source record
clm_kia-sportage-2018-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-59082018 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires 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.”
NHTSAinvestigationNov 2023Open source record
clm_kia-sportage-2019-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-59432019 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires 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.”
NHTSAinvestigationNov 2023Open source record
clm_kia-sportage-2020-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-59792020 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires 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.”
NHTSAinvestigationNov 2023Open source record
clm_kia-sportage-2021-investigation-investigation-aq23002-obs-60132021 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires 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.”
NHTSAinvestigationNov 2023Open source record
clm_kia-sportage-2022-recall-recall-22v703000-obs-60452022 Kia SportageEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record

Publication contract

Evidence: Limited confidence

Release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 · methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.