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Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2018 Kia Sportage

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
3
on record
MPG
—
combined

Open recalls on record

3 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Recalls3
Complaints159
Safety
Fuel1 Open Investigation

Vehicle Summary

2018 Kia Sportage

3 recalls
159 complaints
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
3
Owner complaints
159
Complaints citing a crash
7

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalised by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

3 Recalls on Record

2 of these are high-severity. Contact a dealer to verify these have been completed.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 18V907000high

    Fuel system issue

    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

  • 21V137000high

    Brake system issue

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

  • 22V703000high

    Trailer hitches

    TRAILER HITCHES

    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.

Consumer complaints

159 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

159
Total
7
Crashes
11
Fires
5
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE97
  • OTHER16
  • ELECTRICAL14
  • BRAKES11
  • STEERING5

Notable Issues

159 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 5 reports involve injuries. 7 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)97
miscellaneous issues16
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)14

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Unknown
Drive type
Unknown
Engine
0L 0-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Unknown
Seats
0

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Data sources

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Kia Sportage years

Common problems

Kia Sportage problems

1,443 owner complaints analysed

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation AQ23002

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  2. Recall

    Recall 22V703000

    A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  3. Recall

    Recall 21V137000

    An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

  4. Recall

    Recall 18V907000

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.