2017 Kia Sportage Safety Report
2017 KIA SPORTAGE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Kia Sportage
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Kia Sportage. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (375) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 38 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Kia Sportage with 36 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Kia Sportage before buying across this generation. |
Kia Sportage Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Sportage years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Sportage | 150 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Sportage | 129 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Sportage | 65 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Kia Sportage | 143 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Kia Sportage | 144 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Sportage | 36 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Kia Sportage Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Kia Sportage, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
130 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
30 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyStructure
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Kia onlyElectrical System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyPower Train,Engine
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Kia onlyPower Train
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Kia Sportage
Reliability Score
The 2017 Kia Sportage receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Kia Sportage
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Kia Sportage
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Kia Sportage:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption Multiple reports of oil consumption issues, with some vehicles losing up to 3 quarts of oil. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Catalytic Converter Failure Several instances of catalytic converter failure, leading to engine performance issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brake Malfunction Reports of service brake malfunctions, including anti-lock and traction control issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Issues Frequent reports of power train problems, including engine and transmission failures. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Kia Sportage:
Engine issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Electrical system failures are reported in 15% of vehicles.
Power train issues, including engine and transmission, are reported in 13% of vehicles.
Structural issues are reported in 11% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2017 Kia Sportage
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Kia Sportage by NHTSA:
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.
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...
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.
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Veh...
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Kia Sportage
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Kia Sportage with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Car started making noise, slowed down. I stopped the vehicle immediately and parked on shoulder. Towed it to a mechanic shop and they said the engine stopped. It needs an engine replacement.
My 2017 Kia Sportage with approximately 98,000 miles suddenly started using oil at times. It would go for several trips with everything fine and then it would be a quart low. I continued to drive it and check the oil before every trip. At approximately 106,000 miles, I suddenly lost engine power, a small puff of black smoke from the exhaust, and the check engine light came on. I crippled it ho...
The Catalytic Converter in the Kia. We were driving to Texas to take my kids out for mini vacation and it’s cut off right in the middle of the highway. My car was running just fine everything was fix properly. Can you check in the Catalytic Converter and see if it safely issue.
The vehicle has had recurring drivability problems since at least June 2024, including repeated check engine light illumination and severe loss of acceleration. On 06/19/2024, dealership service records document that the check engine light was on and the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 mph, and the check engine light was flashing. More recently, while driving on the interstate at highway spee...
Kia Sportage has had serious oil consumption issues for 3 years. And recently is loosing pressure in cylinder 2 as a result of excessive carbon build up on valves and head from oil burning in the combustion chamber.
"I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure (rod knock/bearing failure) in my 2017 Kia Sportage, consistent with the Theta II GDI defect. The failure caused a sudden loss of motive power while in traffic, creating a significant safety risk. Furthermore, I am reporting Bill Dodge Kia (Westbrook, ME) for safety negligence. On September 26, 2023 (at 83,611 miles), this vehicle was in their service...
On 1/10 about 1.5 hour driving out of town later engine started idling low. Pulled over, replaced spark plugs and engine coil and still idling rough. Took vehicle for diagnostics of a broken head in the valve. I drive a 2.4L engine 2017 Kia Sportage LX AWD. only 114K miles. Quoted thousands and thousands, more than care worth to repair.
Catastrophic engine failure, no oil, over 3 qts low, oil light did not come on, 4 Cylinder had no compression. In summary: On [XXX] oil light came on, how? I just had oil change on 7/28/25. Stopped to check oil, it was dry. Bought 5Qts at WalMart, put 3 Qts in. Checked oil every day, started keeping 5Qt jug oil in car. 9/1/25 took in to have checked for oil leak/oil change, No leak detected. Cont...
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH on the highway, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of smoke inside the vehicle. It was unknown whether a warning light illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that there were police officers 20 ft. away from the vehicl...
See attached document for complaint.
On 11/21/2025, while operating my vehicle, I experienced a critical engine failure. The engine failed a compression test, with readings as follows: Cylinder 1: 125 PSI Cylinder 2: 60 PSI Cylinder 3: 25 PSI Cylinder 4: 3 PSI As a result, the engine had no compression in multiple cylinders, preventing the vehicle from starting. The vehicle exhibited [smoke, stalling, or other observable symptom...
On November 2, while driving my 10-year-old son to a soccer game, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of power at road speed. The vehicle's failure to provide a "limp-home mode" or any sensor warnings prior to stalling created a significant life-safety risk for my son and me as we had to coast across traffic to a safe location where the car stalled. •No Warning Indicators: There were no prior "Ch...
AWD lock engaged but not functioning and no error lights indicating the such. This made the vehicle slip aggressively on lightly snowed roads. Once parked it needed to be winched out as only the front wheels spun, not engaging the rear tires.
My wife was driving home from work on 10-15-2025 when the car started to lose power and started shaking, vibrating really bad. She got off the exit and at the red light and it died. She called me crying and scared. She started the car back up to try to get the car home and she said the car is vibrating and shaking really bad and I’m so scared and it died again in traffic. I told her to pull over ...
October 2, 2025 no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance. Dealer put almost four quarts of oil in car to start an Oil Consumption Test of 1,000 miles. November 22, 2025 driving about 70 miles an hour, on the 241 Toll Road car loses powder, speed dropped to about 20 miles an hour. I was able to make it to the highway shoulder where the engine struggled to stay running. I cut th...
My Kia engine has failed and Kia is refusing to submit or honor my engine replacement claim under the known engine defect class action/recall. The dealer told me that the claim cannot be submitted because a prior owner did not receive the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update. Kia then changed their reasoning and stated the engine failure was “for another reason,” but still refuses ...
Transmission stops drive ability at various times when pulling out into traffic it stops accelerating and the engine just revs high rpm’s until it slams itself back into a power gear. I have stalled several times recently pulling into traffic and was nearly involved in a wreck because a momentary lack of acceleration. This problem also hapoens when driving a steady speed it all of a sudden stops a...
*Component or System: Power window system / electrical system *What Happened? The manufacturer issued a recall for a defect in the power window system. When I brought my vehicle to the authorized service center, I was informed that the recall repair applies only to the front power windows, even though the same malfunction and defect are clearly present in the rear windows as well. The manufacture...
Air conditioner, have short circuit, it works at liveral. A wired is coming out from box underneath steering wheel. And the worst problem is the tires were totally unsafe to drive, found out this problem on Nov. 14, 2025 (bought car on September 27,2025) when took car to tire center. Right rear tire was a explosion to happen, was bold and bumped, after inspection was performed.
Car shut off middle of driving. mechanic said engine is seized, and no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance. there is a class action lawsuit against kia for oil starvation and engines seizing, (theta II sc147). last oil change was 4,500 miles ago. all indications suggests my engine also suffered the same manufacturer defect as claimed in the lawsuit. Balise Kia in West Springf...
Showing 20 of 375 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Kia Sportage
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
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....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Kia Sportage
Has the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE have?
The 2017 KIA SPORTAGE has 375 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 14 involved crashes. 18 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2017 KIA SPORTAGE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE involve engine (130 complaints), unknown or other (30 complaints), structure (17 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, power train,engine, power train.
How many crash reports does the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 14 crash reports associated with the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE out of 375 total complaints (3.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 24 fire reports for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE out of 375 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
18 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE is extreme caution advised. It has 375 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE are: 1. ENGINE (130 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (17 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (13 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 130 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Be cautious of engine oil consumption and catalytic converter failures, which are common issues in this model. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 KIA SPORTAGE has 375 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2017 KIA SPORTAGE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 375 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 38 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Consumption and Catalytic Converter Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Known issues with the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE include: Engine Oil Consumption, Catalytic Converter Failure, Service Brake Malfunction, Power Train Issues. These are based on patterns found across 375 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common engine issues in the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Common engine issues include oil consumption and catalytic converter failures.
Are there any recalls related to the 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Yes, recalls have been issued for trailer hitches and fuel system delivery issues.
What should I do if I notice unusual noises or performance issues in my 2017 KIA SPORTAGE?
Stop immediately and have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine oil consumption and catalytic converter failures, which are common issues in this model. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Kia Sportage
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Kia Sportage. The data includes 375 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 14 reported crashes, 24 fire incidents, 18 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Kia Sportage an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16