With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Kia Sportage is ranked sixth among 26 compact SUVs. It offers great ownership costs with an average annual repair cost of $462. The Sportage is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since its repair needs are less severe and less frequent than those of other vehicles.
In This Article...
Cost
Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Sportage is $462.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Owners of Kia Sportage cars must take them into a shop for unplanned repairs on average 0.2 times a year, as opposed to 0.3 times on average for compact SUVs and 0.4 times on average for all vehicle models.
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).
Is the Kia Sportage’s engine good?
Driving the 2021 Kia Sportage is enjoyable and pleasant. Its top model offers a more potent turbocharged engine, while its base engine provides enough power. Even so, this Kia has poor fuel efficiency for a tiny SUV.
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
- internal problems
- 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.
What issues does the 2020 Kia Sportage have?
Kia Sportage recalls for 2020 Certain Sportage and Cadenza models from the model years 2017 through 2021 are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). A fire in the engine compartment could result from the electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) short-circuiting.
What are the most typical Kia Sportage issues?
- Idling or stalled engines The engine stalling or becoming idle when the car is in motion or operating is the most frequently reported Kia Sportage problem, to answer the question of what difficulties do Kia Sportages have. It was described to as a Kia Sportage jerking issue by some Sportage owners. This problem was frequently attributed by knowledgeable mechanics to a broken Electronic Gas Injection (EGI) control relay or a broken fuel pump. In spite of this, we frequently advise replacing both affected items simultaneously in order to prevent a recurrence of the problem’s root cause with the unreplaced component.
- Leaking Fuel Tanks Gas leaks are another issue that frequently affects Kia Sportage vehicles. Due to the widespread usage of salt on roads, this problem is particularly frequent in regions with harsher winters. Owners of Kia Sportage vehicles report that the steel fuel tanks start to rust and leak. Bring your Sportage to your neighborhood Kia dealership if you think it might be leaking gasoline. You might be able to get it fixed at the dealer for little to no money now that Kia has extended their fuel tank warranty for the Sportage.
- Check Engine Light Trouble The Kia Sportage’s check engine light has reportedly been known to come on at odd times even when there isn’t a genuine problem with the car. Several other recognized causes of this possibility exist. It may occasionally just be a symptom of a minor electrical issue, but it may also be the result of the rubber regulator being damaged. Throttle position switch (TPS) issues can cause the check engine light to come on on Kia Sportages manufactured between 1995 and 2000. Regardless of the condition, make sure to have a qualified mechanic inspect your car to identify the issue.
- Electronic Stabilization System Another typical issue with the Kia Sportage is the electronic stability control (ESC) light turning on. In the event that one tire fails or becomes stuck, the ESC aids in stabilizing the other three tires. The light, like the majority of check lights, is not meant to be on all the time. The vehicle’s wiring may need to be redone in circumstances where the ESC light continues to illuminate despite the fact that all four tires are in good working order.