{"id":"2018_kia_sportage","make":"Kia","make_slug":"kia","model":"Sportage","model_slug":"sportage","year":2018,"url":"/kia/sportage/2018/","pts":["gas"],"configs":[{"id":38721,"model":"Sportage FE FWD","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":23,"hwy":30,"comb":26,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":351,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2400,"save_spend":-750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"},{"id":38747,"model":"Sportage FWD","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":22,"hwy":29,"comb":25,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":358,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2500,"save_spend":-1250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"},{"id":38725,"model":"Sportage AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":21,"hwy":25,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":397,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"},{"id":38722,"model":"Sportage FWD","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":21,"hwy":26,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":392,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"},{"id":38727,"model":"Sportage FE AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.4,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":21,"hwy":25,"comb":22,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":400,"fe_score":4,"ghg_score":4,"fuel_cost":2850,"save_spend":-3000,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"},{"id":38728,"model":"Sportage AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":20,"hwy":23,"comb":21,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":424,"fe_score":4,"ghg_score":4,"fuel_cost":2950,"save_spend":-3500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017"}],"vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","segment":"Compact SUV","recalls":[{"campaign":"22V703000","component":"TRAILER HITCHES","mfr":"Kia America, Inc.","reported":"2022-09-19","owner_notified":"2023-07-27","units":70887,"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.","consequence":"A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":true,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC249","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"critical"},{"campaign":"21V137000","component":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2021-03-04","owner_notified":"2021-04-30","units":379931,"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.","consequence":"An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":true,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC206","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"critical"},{"campaign":"18V907000","component":"FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2018-12-19","owner_notified":"2019-01-17","units":71653,"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.","consequence":"A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC172","initiated_by":"ODI","variants":[],"severity":"critical"}],"recall_count":3,"critical_count":3,"park_outside":true,"do_not_drive":false,"score":55,"grade":"F","complaints":{"count":162,"crash":7,"fire":11,"injured":5,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Engine",89],["Electrical System",28],["Unspecified",19],["Power Train",18],["Fuel/Propulsion System",10],["Steering",9]],"by_year":{"2018":8,"2019":25,"2020":9,"2021":14,"2022":18,"2023":25,"2024":13,"2025":33,"2026":17},"excerpts":[["2022-09-26","Power Train","While the 2018 Kia Sportage is in drive proceeding forward I have noticed on numerous occasions the transmission just dies out. When stepping on the gas, you can hear the engine rev but for a few seconds, there is no reaction by the transmission and the vehicle doesn't increase in speed; the vehicle just coasts. This o\u2026"],["2022-09-24","Visibility/Wiper","Windshield cracking for no reason. No chips to signify it was hit. Noticed a zigzag on Friday 9/23 approximately 12\" and this evening 9/24 has gone laterally an additional 6-8\""],["2022-09-21","Engine","9/15 car goes in limp mode on expressway. Get to towed to dealership. Get the car back on 9/17. Only make it about 20 miles, and the same thing happens again. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m able to make it back to the dealership the same day. On my way home. Pick up the car on 9/19. Happens again on 9/20. Now I am being told I need a full engi\u2026"]]},"investigations":[{"action":"AQ23002","component":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE","opened":"2023-11-17","closed":"","campaign":"","subject":"Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires","summary":"The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V"}],"ncap":[{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.147,"seats":5,"fcw":"Optional","ldw":"Optional","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"SUV FWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.155,"seats":5,"fcw":"Optional","ldw":"Optional","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null}],"popularity":17,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":26,"ncap":5,"complaints":162},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}