The Kia Sportage is one of the most dependable small SUVs on the market and can meet all of your needs, but no automobile is flawless, and this one is no different. The 2012, 2013, and 2017 model years are the worst Sportages ever made, so avoid them if you’re shopping for a used Kia Sportage. They frequently break down while driving and have serious engine issues. There is a very significant probability that you will have a Sportage that is trouble-free and dependable if you stay away from these three main types.
The Kia Sportage should last more than 200,000 miles. You can maintain the functionality of your Kia Sportage for up to 300,000 kilometers with the right maintenance and care.
In This Article...
Reliable used Kia Sportages are they?
Throughout its existence, the majority of Kia Sportage model years have proven dependable. Owner complaints and data from the NHTSA indicate that there aren’t many significant trends in persistent problems. However, if at all possible, it should be avoided using a few model years. They are the ones who have been the subject of numerous complaints from both owners and the NHTSA. Avoid buying one of these cars at all costs because the problems with them are frequent enough to be worthless.
Do Kia Sportage issues frequently arise?
This generation’s Sportage has had very few reported issues because it is a well-built vehicle. There have been a few problems with non-engine electrics, mostly with the starting process and the sat-nav system (where installed).
How durable are Kia Sportages?
The Sportage, Kia’s first sport utility vehicle that made its way to American soil in 1995, is currently one of the Korean automaker’s best-selling models. The tiny SUV is generally regarded as being reliable and inexpensive.
What is the lifespan of a Kia Sportage then? Many drivers achieve 150,000, 200,000, or even 250,000 miles or more with little repairs, according to discussions on Kia Forums and owner reviews on Vehicle History. driving 12,000 miles annually, which translates to 12.5 to more than 20 years of service.
One reviewer on Vehicle History claims, “I acquired my Kia as a used car…it has 189,000 miles…runs fine, and is 13 years old.”
very reliable To ensure that it continues to work efficiently, I keep up with routine maintenance.
“[My Sportage] has approximately 200,000 miles on it,” says another reviewer. The wipers and brake pads were both changed. There was nothing serious when the check engine light turned on.
Routine maintenance is a prevalent theme with high-mileage Sportage claims.
Which Kia Sportage has the best reliability?
Since its introduction in 1995, the Kia Sportage has been a superb automobile. It’s entertaining to drive since this SUV is a scaled-down version of other sports utility vehicles. You might be wondering if there are certain Kia Sportage years to steer clear of if you’re considering making an investment in this unusual vehicle.
Learn more about the Kia Sportage years to steer clear of by reading on. In order for you to make an informed choice about the car you can invest in for yourself, we will also cover the years that have performed successfully. Make sure you receive the safest and most effective used car you can afford when you buy one.
Kia Sportage Years to Avoid
Along with fantastic models, the Kia Sportage has seen several bad ones over the years. The Kia brand has had to make a slow recovery from 2012, which was the worst of all. When shopping at used cars, there are a few models you should be careful to avoid.
The following significant Kia Sportage years should be avoided:
- 2012
- 2013
- 2001
- 2009
- 2008
- 2000
- 2011
The most significant problem during these years was engine failure, which made them both unreliable and expensive. Learn more about each of these issues and why they provide such a challenge for this vehicle’s drivers by continuing to read.
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What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?
2012 was the Kia Sportage’s worst year ever, but all of the years previously mentioned had their issues. It’s crucial to become familiar with each of them so you can decide which is ideal for your future and pick an automobile that is both secure and affordable to maintain.
- engine issues
- Interior issues
- Having braking issues
Despite the fact that there were numerous additional, more minor complaints about the aforementioned vehicle models, these were some of the more common ones.
Continue reading to find out more about each of these grievances. Some of these issues are more serious than others, but they all have the potential to cost you money if they arise while you are driving. Knowing this can help you decide which Kia Sportage years to steer clear of.
Engine Problems
Engine problems, especially with the 2012 model, have been the Kia Sportage’s major problem. There have been numerous engine issues with this car’s various variants, which have resulted in numerous consumer complaints. Many Kia models have failed due to engine issues.
Some of the particular engine problems include:
- engine blowing
- driving while the engine is dead
- Engine knocking noise
These are just a handful of the Kia Sportage model’s engine issues that have been reported.
Drivers may experience costly and dangerous engine problems. In order to save money, it is better to stay away from Kia Sportage models that are prone to this problem. Over the years, the models from 2011 through 2013 have had the most customer complaints regarding engine problems.
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Interior Issues
Interior difficulties are another one of the Kia Sportage’s frequent troubles. Customers have expressed dissatisfaction with several interior comfort accoutrements, particularly with some of the pre-2010 versions. Although they won’t affect how the car drives, these could make driving the Kia Sportage uncomfortable.
Some models’ interior problems include:
- Problems in the air conditioning
- difficulties with the interior accessories
- difficulties with seatbelts
None of these are useful to drivers or passengers, and their replacement can be pricey.
If you are spending money on a car, the interior should function properly. Spending money on a Kia Sportage model that is subpar is a waste. You may avoid making this error if you are aware of the Kia Sportage years to stay away from.
Braking Troubles
Braking troubles were also one among the Kia Sportage’s major problems. The 2011 model was particularly affected by this issue. For the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, braking is essential. For this reason alone, it is advised to stay away from these models.
The Kia Sportage’s latest models do a better job of maintaining the paint on the car. To find out which Kia Sportage years are best for you to buy, continue reading. The ones on the following list will provide you with the best value for your money.
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Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?
We can talk about the possibilities that will provide you the most value for your money now that you know which years are the worst for you to invest in. Even with so many subpar models, numerous Kia Sportage years have stuck out from the crowd.
- 2017
- 2019
- 2018
- 2021
- 2007
If you’re looking for a fantastic car, consider one of these makes. The shortcomings of the older Kia Sportages have been greatly improved in the later models. Look at the new models of this vehicle for the best performance on the road if you want a car that will give you everything you need and more.
Conclusion
You can make an informed decision about your next model to make sure you invest your money in the best available alternative on the market now that you are aware of which Kia Sportage to stay away from. To get the most value for your money, you can contrast the positive and negative aspects.
Making a purchase this significant requires that you receive an automobile that will meet all of your needs. You don’t want to get a vehicle that will cost you as much to repair as you did to purchase it. There are a lot of excellent Kia Sportage models, but there are also a lot of subpar ones.
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Is maintaining a Kia Sportage expensive?
The overall yearly car maintenance costs for the Kia Sportage are $462. The table that follows provides a detailed ranking of each car in this overall scheme for comparison’s sake. The Kia Sportage is significantly less expensive to maintain when compared to the average vehicle ($651 annually), which has an average cost of $462.
Are Kia’s engines problematic?
bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most
Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:
- power loss or stalling
- A knocking noise
- Seizing
- Overheating
- Leaks
- Non-collision flames
- Unpredictable engine failure [1]
Is Kia up to par with Toyota?
According to a J.D. Power research from 2019, Kia has the highest initial quality in the non-premium segment in the United States. The 2016 Kia Soul, 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V were all rated as being among the most dependable vehicles on the road by J.D. Power.
Has the Kia Sportage’s transmission have issues?
One excellent SUV is the Kia Sportage. It is well-rated for safety and offers a cozy interior. It has been reported to have a number of widespread issues, though.
These include faults with the engine, transmission, electrical system, suspension, and external quality. Do your homework and be ready for repairs if you’re thinking about purchasing a Kia Sportage.
Regardless of any issues, many drivers clearly enjoy the automobile because of how comfortable it is.
What issues are there with the Kia SUV?
Customers have experienced a number of issues with the Kia Sorento since it has been advertised and sold by Kia. These models share costly issues with one another. The following model years should be avoided: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Common difficulties include those with the engine, the electrical system, the airbags, the seat belts, the lights, and the body or paint.
Engine failure is the most serious problem that these Kia Sorento models have. When most consumers have traveled an average of 62,000 miles, something happens. They could end up costing you more money in repairs, so we advise avoiding them.
Which Year Models of Kia Sorento Are Safe to Buy Used?
Production of the Kia Sorento has been going on for approximately 20 years. Not all of the models that are released, like many other cars in its market class, are flawless right out of the factory. Some people have flaws. Despite this, you have a selection of others. This is particularly true if you want to stay away from those already listed.
The following list of reliable Kia Sorento model years includes:
- Kia Sorento 2003
- Kia Sorento from 2005
- 2007 Sorento Kia
- Kia Sorento 2008
- Kia Sorento from 2009
- Kia Sorento 2010
- Kia Sorento 2015
- Kia Sorento 2017
- Kia Sorento from 2018
- Kia Sorento for 2019
- Kia Sorento 2020
- Kia Sorento 2021
The years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 are among the safest Kia Sorento model years to purchase. Compared to the earlier mentioned model years, these have minimal complaints.
The worst issues with many of them were engine issues, a broken air conditioner compressor, electrical issues, light issues, and AC/heater issues. Most of them are also inexpensive to fix minor problems. However, they are among the minority of car owners.
The worst car troubles in early generations include crankshaft problems, frequent lighting system failures, and broken parts. It’s important to remember that these issues only occur in cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
A few owners are also affected by the problems. They are less likely to happen in a Sorento with little mileage and good maintenance. The models from 2007 to 2010 and 2015 to 2021 are the least problematic. The year 2016 is an outlier; it is less dependable than the other years in the following years.
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Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The aforementioned Kia Sorento model years should easily accommodate your family’s needs and daily driving requirements. You need a dependable automobile in addition to one with excellent handling, a luxurious interior, and lots of attractive amenities. Here, we go into greater detail regarding the model years that weren’t chosen.
Steer clear of the following Kia Sorento model years:
- Kia Sorento from 2004
- Kia Sorento from 2006
- Kia Sorento from 2011
- Kia Sorento 2012
- Kia Sorento 2013
- Kia Sorento 2014
- Kia Sorento 2016
These model years frequently experience issues with their engines, electrical systems, lighting, seat belts and airbags, and body and paint. These affect everyone, and numerous users have noted concerns that are essentially the same.
You should steer clear of the 2011 Kia Sorento the most. It tops the list for having the most owner complaints. It is most likely to experience brakes issues, drivetrain issues, airbag and seat belt issues, and engine issues.
An engine failure at 77,000 miles cost the most money of all issues reported for the 2011 model year. Fixing this issue will cost $4,600. Other serious issues include an airbag problem that cost $2,000 to fix at 92,000 miles and a door issue that cost $400 to fix at 94,000 miles.
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The 2016 Kia Sorento is another vehicle you should completely avoid. In comparison to other models with lower mileage, it has more issues and costs more to repair. The most common issues are with the engine, then the steering, body/paint, and lights.
The engine has experienced the worst reported failure at 62,000 kilometers. Repairing this cost $6,100. Other owners reported having to pay up to $600 to fix wiring that rodents had gnawed. At 22,000 miles, one user’s car stalled while accelerating.
Common Kia Sorento Problems
One of the greatest warranties for cars is offered by Kia. But that doesn’t mean you should be any less critical, especially when it comes to reliability concerns. The most typical Kia Sorento issues, spanning all model years, are listed below:
- Engine issues – The Sorento’s engine frequently fails, which is a common dependability problem. The engine failure, which was primarily reported in 2011, 2016, and 2017 models, was caused by a leaky head gasket, which mixed engine oil and coolant. These liquids when combined can seriously harm engines.
- Frustrated owners reported that the Sorento’s doors won’t open when reached from the outside, which is more unpleasant than dangerous. Additionally, defective door handles made users of the child-lock feature even more irate. Owners of 2011 Sorentos make up the majority of the complaints.
- Burning out of headlight bulbs: Numerous customers noted that the headlight bulbs on Sorento models from 2002 to 2009 were particularly prone to premature failure. Additionally, several stories claimed that additional headlamp component parts were also melted. There should have been a recall for this dependability problem, but there wasn’t one. Owners were required to purchase replacement bulbs for between $100 and $600.
Kia Sorento Problem Counts by Year
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