Kia Sportage Reliability by Year, 2016–2021
Comparing a used Kia Sportage? Start with what changed between model years, then open the report for the car you are considering. The records below help you identify recall work, reported symptoms and questions for an inspection.
These records do not establish which year is most reliable. The 2016 has had more time to accumulate reports than the 2021, and we do not have sales or mileage data to calculate failure rates. Why age matters when reading complaints.
What changed from year to year
Compare the EPA-listed engines, transmissions, drivetrains and fuel economy with the previous year, alongside NHTSA crash-test ratings and recall campaigns. Open a pair for the details; the timeline does not cover every trim, equipment or production change.
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2016
The earliest model year covered here, so there is no prior year to compare it with.
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2017
NHTSA's overall rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2016 to 5 stars in 2017; the best combined rating for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder rises from 23 to 26 mpg; four recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (service brakes and trailer hitches).
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2018
EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2017; one recall campaign names one of the two years and not the other (trailer hitches).
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2019
The best combined rating for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder falls from 26 to 25 mpg; one recall campaign names one of the two years and not the other (fuel system).
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2020
The best combined rating for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder rises from 25 to 26 mpg.
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2021
In our comparison, this year matches the 2020: EPA lists the same lineup and both years are named in the same recall campaigns.
The record, year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | Combined MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 130 | 2 | 21–23 | Full report → |
| 2017 | 4 | 399 | 2 | 21–26 | Full report → |
| 2018 | 3 | 163 | 1 | 21–26 | Full report → |
| 2019 | 2 | 69 | 2 | 21–25 | Full report → |
| 2020 | 2 | 160 | 2 | 21–26 | Full report → |
| 2021 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 21–26 | Full report → |
The same years side by side on one screen →
Sources and methodology
- Recalls, complaints and investigations: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Engines, transmissions, drive types and fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA/DOE)
- See our methodology and data sources pages for how these reports are built and their limitations.