Which Years Of Used Kia Sportages Are Most Reliable?
We've identified five of the most reliable Kia Sportage years. See which ones (and which worst Sportage years are considered least reliable).
The Kia Sportage is an excellent vehicle from the brand, produced year after year since 1995. The SUV is smaller than other classic sports cars, allowing for an exciting drive and a cool look in the driveway. If you’re interested in purchasing a used version of the car, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Sportage year?
The majority of people buy used cars because they can save money. However, you only save money if your vehicle is reliable and won’t cost an excessive amount in unexpected repairs. Let’s look at the most reliable Kia Sportage year, the overall reliability of the Sportage over the years, the least reliable selections, and everything else you should know.
Most Reliable Years For The Sportage
People love the Kia Sportage for its compact appearance, comfortable ride experience for drivers and passengers, expansive space for cargo in the back, and its excellent seating. However, with almost three decades on the market, it might be tricky to find the best year. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down for you.
Here are the best options for the most reliable Kia Sportage year:
- 2007 Kia Sportage
- 2017 Kia Sportage
- 2018 Kia Sportage
- 2019 Kia Sportage
- 2021 Kia Sportage
These are your best bet if you’re hunting for the most reliable Kia Sportage selection.
Kia did an excellent job with these vehicles, correcting errors from the past iterations to make overall better driving experiences and a less costly ownership process. These years also had the fewest customer complaints, implying fewer unexpected and costly repairs throughout owning the Sportage.
If you want to save money and ensure you invest in reliability, these five years are the best for the Kia Sportage. However, they don’t speak for the model as a whole.
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Are Kia Sportages Generally Reliable?
It’s helpful to know the most reliable used years for the Kia Sportage, but it’s also valuable to know whether or not the Sportage itself is reliable. Let’s talk about what you can expect across the board.
Unfortunately, there have been issues with the reliability of the Kia Sportage for a while. According to withclutch.com, the Kia Sportage scores 54.85 which makes it okay in terms of reliability. The Sportage scores about average when it comes to offerings from Kia.
Of course, it’s also helpful to check out secondary sites to confirm the reliability of the Kia Sportage. According to repairpal.com, the Kia Sportage scores a ⅘ in reliability, putting it in 6th out of 26 compact SUVs,
The annual repair cost of a Kia Sportage is $462, lower than the average of $521 for similar cars. If there is a necessary repair for the Sportage, there is an 11% chance it will be severe. This number is about average for similar vehicles.
Drivers of the Kia Sportage report bringing them in for sudden repairs an average of .2 times a year. This number is .1 lower than the average of .3 for compact SUVs, ensuring the Kia Sportage will make it through the year without too many surprises. Overall, the Kia Sportage is generally reliable.
Which Kia Sportage Years Are The Least Reliable?
The best way to make the most of your investment is to purchase the most reliable vehicle for your money. There are a few Sportage years you should stay away from at all costs.
If you want a quality year, stay away from these choices on the market:
- 2000 Kia Sportage
- 2001 Kia Sportage
- 2008 Kia Sportage
- 2009 Kia Sportage
- 2011 Kia Sportage
- 2012 Kia Sportage
- 2013 Kia Sportage
If you want the most reliable Kia Sportage year, don’t invest in one of these.
THE KIA SPORTAGE YEARS TO AVOID
Read on to learn more about the Kia Sportage years to avoid. We will also discuss the years that have done well so you can make a well-rounded decision about the vehicle you can invest in for yourself.
There were excessive complaints with these Kia Sportage years and more expensive repairs reported by drivers. The most prominent trouble was sudden engine failure, coming to a stop without warning. There were also reported interior faults and braking troubles.
These years might have the most faults, but there are a few issues that are common across all years for the Kia Sportage. It’s helpful to have information about the general troubles with the Sportage before purchasing one.
What Reddit Says About the Kia Sportage’s Reliability:
We like to keep a finger on the pulse of various auto communities, so we can gauge whether people love their vehicles or not. In the case of the Kia Sportage, here are some curated user comments from Reddit regarding the reliability of this SUV:
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byu/Derpalerp101 from discussion
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byu/Dr0idGh0sT from discussion
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byu/Indigoshroom from discussion
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Overall, owners of the Sportage seem to enjoy their SUV in terms of reliability. As always, some years are more reliable than others, so it’s best to stick with the recommended years we listed above.
What Are The Most Common Issues With A Kia Sportage?
One of the best things you can do before investing in a used Kia Sportage is to check our customer complaints. These help inform of the common troubles with the Sportage, no matter how reliable the year. Based on consumer complaints, here are the most common issues with the Kia Sportage:
1. Trailer Hitch Woes
One of the most significant issues faced by owners of the Kia Sportage was related to the trailer hitches installed as original equipment. Due to the accumulation of moisture and debris on the tow hitch harness module PCB, there was a risk of electrical shorts leading to fires. As a precautionary measure, Kia advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until a remedy becomes available.
2. Suspension Troubles Leading to Vibrations
Some Sportage models were plagued by suspension problems that caused the vehicle to vibrate at highway speeds, resulting in significant steering wheel vibrations. While this issue might seem minor, it can lead to a loss of vehicle control and potential accidents. Faulty suspension components are often the culprit behind such vibrations which can be uncomfortable for everyone inside the vehicle.
3. Cooling System Failures and Radiator Leaks
Engine cooling issues were another common problem reported by Kia Sportage owners. The most prevalent issue was related to radiator leaks, which caused the coolant to escape and led to engine overheating. The best course of action for affected owners was to seek assistance from a Kia dealership to resolve the problem.
4. Fuel System Malfunctions
The Sportage experienced various minor fuel system problems, ranging from a “check engine” light triggered by a spider web covering the fuel tank pressure sensor to defective seats causing the same warning light. However, some owners faced more severe issues, such as fuel pump failures that resulted in engine stalling or complete shutdown.
5. Premature Turbocharger Failure
The introduction of turbochargers in the third generation of the Kia Sportage aimed to provide more power and improved performance. However, several owners have reported premature turbocharger failures which severely hurts the SUV’s reliability
6. Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Replacements
Among the various engine problems faced by the Sportage, excessive oil consumption between oil changes was a major concern. Some owners even had to replace their engines with as low as 24,000 miles on the odometer.
7. Faulty Airbags
Designed to protect occupants in the event of an accident, airbags in the Kia Sportage have been reported to malfunction. Some owners noted that the airbag control module became faulty, causing the airbags to either switch off or deploy without reason. In one incident, the airbag deployed while the vehicle was on the highway, leading to a panic situation for the driver and potentially causing an accident.
To summarize, the Kia Sportage has faced a range of problems across different model years, with some being particularly troublesome. Issues ranged from suspension failures and engine cooling problems to fuel system malfunctions and premature turbocharger failures. Many of these issues are relatively minor, but it’s always best to know what you’re up against when buying a used Kia Sportage.
We’ve talked about several items relating to the reliability of the Kia Sportage. Now - is the Kia Sportage worth it?
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
Is The Kia Sportage Worth It?
Although it isn’t the most perfect option on the market, the Kia Sportage is a decently reliable selection if you want a compact SUV. There are a few years with minimal complaints on the market, making for an affordable purchase.
If you own a Kia Sportage, be ready for a few troubles. They tend to experience minor sudden errors. However, these shouldn’t be more than the average budget can handle.
Kia is on the rise, and they have more plans for the future of Sportage. The newest model is the best yet.
Final Thoughts
Although it isn’t perfect, the Kia Sportage is a relatively reliable vehicle. There are many affordable models, and you will get plenty of bang for your buck. The Kia Sportage is an excellent vehicle.
We hope this information was helpful! It’s stressful picking out the most reliable Sportage years from such a massive lineup, but our analysis should make it easier to pick the right one for your needs. The Kia Sportage is a fun compact car that will be a blast on the road for the right owner.
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