Kia Sportage 2011–2016
3rd generation (SL)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,699 complaints, 1,074 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 1,074
- Median of reported failures
- 88,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (54.0%)
- Recalls
- 9
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 57,070 and 116,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Kia Sportage 2011–2016 · 1,074 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 125 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 11 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 16,000
- 25%
- 57,070
- Median
- 88,000
- 75%
- 116,000
- 90%
- 140,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 87 | 8.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 46 | 4.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 40 | 3.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 27 | 2.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 32 | 3.0% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 50 | 4.7% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 72 | 6.7% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 87 | 8.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 111 | 10.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 78 | 7.3% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 125 | 11.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 72 | 6.7% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 81 | 7.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 54 | 5.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 42 | 3.9% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 29 | 2.7% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 11 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.9% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 11 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,699 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2016 Kia Sportage, and 1,074 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 57,070 and 116,000 miles. The median is 88,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (54.0% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles), the electrical system (7.8% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (7.7% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation. 2 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2011–2016 Kia Sportage last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2011–2016 Kia Sportage were filed by 88,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,074 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
11 reports (1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Sportage reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2011–2016 Sportage: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,074 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine - bearings on 2011–2016 (2.4L GDI and 2.0T) cars. Theta II GDI connecting rod bearing failure. Mechanism: metallic debris left in the engine block oil galleries during machining restricts oil flow to the rod bearings, which then wear and seize; presents as a deep…
- Check fire risk on 2011–2016 cars. Non-crash engine-compartment fires reported on Theta II vehicles; NHTSA's investigation of Hyundai/Kia handling of these engine defects produced record civil penalties.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 57,000 and 116,000 miles, with a median of 88,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 72,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Kia Sportage 2011–2016
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system42 reports68,00022,000–118,000Fuel and propulsion system: 42 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 118,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control32 reports70,00022,000–106,000Throttle and speed control: 32 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 106,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise130 reports71,00037,000–93,000Problems owners could not categorise: 130 reports, median 71,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 93,000 miles.
- Electrical system133 reports72,00030,000–118,000Electrical system: 133 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 118,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline80 reports79,00055,000–101,000Transmission and driveline: 80 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 101,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit122 reports86,00055,000–135,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 122 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 135,000 miles.
- Engine918 reports99,00073,000–120,000Engine: 918 reports, median 99,000 miles, middle half 73,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 918 | 54.0% | 99,000 | 73,000–120,000 |
| Electrical system | 133 | 7.8% | 72,000 | 30,000–118,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 130 | 7.7% | 71,000 | 37,000–93,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 122 | 7.2% | 86,000 | 55,000–135,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 80 | 4.7% | 79,000 | 55,000–101,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 42 | 2.5% | 68,000 | 22,000–118,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 32 | 1.9% | 70,000 | 22,000–106,000 |
| Brakes | 31 | 1.8% | 25,000 | 18,000–75,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 30 | 1.8% | 116,000 | 105,000–158,000 |
| Steering | 25 | 1.5% | 28,000 | 3,000–70,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Kia Sportage 2011–2016 · 1,074 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 26% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 51% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.0% of reports (11) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
26% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 30,000–118,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 37,000–93,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–135,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 55,000–101,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 22,000–118,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 22,000–106,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 73,000–120,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
51% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 73,000–120,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 30,000–118,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 37,000–93,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–135,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 55,000–101,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 22,000–118,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 22,000–106,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
77% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 99,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 72,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 71,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 79,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 68,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 70,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–135,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 88,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 54.0% of complaints (918 reports, 649 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 99,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 73,000 and 120,000 miles.
A single system taking 54.0% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The electrical system accounts for 7.8% of complaints (133 reports, 69 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 118,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.7% of complaints (130 reports, 62 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 93,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 7.2% of complaints (122 reports, 25 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 135,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 4.7% of complaints (80 reports, 56 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 101,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 2.5% of complaints (42 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 118,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 454 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 154. The median year sits at 229.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the engine (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the exterior lighting (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,699 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 50 (2.9%)
- Fires
- 100
- Injury reports
- 44
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine - Bearings 2011–2016 (2.4L GDI and 2.0T)
Theta II GDI connecting rod bearing failure. Mechanism: metallic debris left in the engine block oil galleries during machining restricts oil flow to the rod bearings, which then wear and seize; presents as a deep knock, then loss of power and engine seizure, in some cases with non-crash engine-compartment fire. Kia began with a 2016 campaign on 2011-2014 Optima/Sorento/Sportage, followed by formal recalls in 2017 and later, a knock-sensor detection software campaign, and a $1.3B consolidated class settlement covering roughly 2011-2019 Hyundai and Kia models including the Sportage.
Fire Risk 2011–2016
Non-crash engine-compartment fires reported on Theta II vehicles; NHTSA's investigation of Hyundai/Kia handling of these engine defects produced record civil penalties.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 264 | 173 |
| 2012 | 454 | 362 |
| 2013 | 449 | 327 |
| 2014 | 154 | 60 |
| 2015 | 195 | 83 |
| 2016 | 183 | 69 |
Recalls (9) — is your car included?
Mar 2024 · 2011–2013 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Apr 2022 · 2014–2016 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
Jan 2021 · 2012 · EngineAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Jul 2019 · 2011–2012 · EngineA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
Jan 2019 · 2011–2016 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Jun 2017 · 2011–2013 · Engine and Engine CoolingBearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
What can happen. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Jul 2015 · 2011 · Exterior LightingWhenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
What can happen. Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.
Mar 2014 · 2014 · EquipmentMaintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing…
The defect. Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured September 30, 2013, through January 11, 2014. The certification label has incorrect tire pressure information printed on it, listing a specification that is 1 or 2 PSI below the correct information. Thus, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
What can happen. Maintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will correct the label information, and owners will also receive a sticker to put into the owners manual, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2014. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC103.
Apr 2013 · 2011 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
What owners reported
Electronic power steering issue. It is impossible to track vehicle straight at speeds over 30 MPH. When driving on the highway the vehicle will drift to the left or right. The only way to maintain a straight line is to constantly make corrections while driving. In europe were this vehicle is also sold Kia has issued a…
2011 · 20 miles · Steering
I purchased a 2011 Kia Sportage mar 2011 w/ 12 miles on it. The mpg range on the window sticker was 22 city/27 highway (18 min/32 max). Shortly after the gas mileage was poor. I drove the vehicle for 500 miles figuring that should break it in and hoped the gas mileage would improve. It didn't, but got worse. I…
2011 · 504 miles · Fuel system
2011 Kia Sportage sx all-wheel drive . . . The vehicle shows an inability to track straight while driving. Most notable on a straight highway. Vehicle requires constant correction and when corrected veers slowly back the other way. It is not uncontrollable, but does require constant correction and could lead to driver…
2011 · 750 miles · Steering
the contact previously owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the side rear passenger door protruded outward due to the angle and it caused the door to hit him in the face. The contact sustained a swollen nose and lost a large amount of blood. The dealer allowed the contact to trade in the vehicle for a…
2011 · 1,500 miles · Body structure
Built from 1,074 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page