The 2018 Kia Sportage is associated with 162 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 57 reports (35% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.4l 4-cyl and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 21 to 26 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 162 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (57 / 35%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 7 crash / 11 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 21–26 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sportage FE FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Sportage FE AWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Sportage FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Sportage FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Sportage AWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 25 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Sportage AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 23 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 15.5% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 14.7% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Kia Sportage models.
View complete 2018 Kia Sportage crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Kia Sportage problems & component breakdown (50 categories) →
Affected Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2018 Kia Sportage recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →