2022 Kia Sportage Safety Report
2022 KIA SPORTAGE SAFETY REPORT
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Kia Sportage
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 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 | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (40) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 8 | 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 | 2023 | Check the 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Sportage | 167 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Sportage | 36 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Kia Sportage | 58 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Sportage | 144 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Kia Sportage | 37 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Sportage | 65 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2022 Kia Sportage Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 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
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyTrailer Hitches
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Trailer Hitches issues Kia onlyVisibility
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Kia onlyForward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlySteering
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Kia Sportage
Reliability Score
The 2022 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 2022 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 2022 Kia Sportage
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Kia Sportage:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Failure The engine can fail due to misfires, leading to engine failure and loss of power during normal operation. This has been reported multiple times. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Electrical system problems, including check engine light alerts and engine knock, have been reported, indicating potential safety risks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Brake Failure Brakes have suddenly stopped responding, leading to safety concerns and potential accidents. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Issues Tire problems, such as smoke from the engine compartment, have been reported, indicating potential safety hazards. |
Low | 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 2022 Kia Sportage:
Engine issues, including misfires and engine failure, are the most common problems.
Electrical system issues, such as check engine light alerts, are frequently reported.
Brake failure has been reported, posing significant safety risks.
Tire issues, including smoke from the engine compartment, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2022 Kia Sportage
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Kia Sportage
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Kia Sportage with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 6 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Had my oil changed less about 3k miles ago and my oil like flashed on and then off. I check my oil and I have no oil. I should be able to go 5k miles. Took it to Goodyear and he check for leaks and other things and it's an oil consumption issue and said there should be a recall on my engine. I will be taking it to the dealership. My car has about 70k miles on it. It should not be burning throu...
On Feb. 1, 2026 my 2022 Kia Sportage caught fire while parked and turned off. The vehicle had been stationary and was not running at the time the fire started. There were no warning lights, no prior overheating, and no collision or external cause. The fire appears to have originated from the engine/electrical area. This incident resulted in a total loss of the vehicle and posed a serious safety r...
Vehicle developed a cylinder 3 misfire that progressed to engine failure. The engine began running rough and lost power during normal operation. Dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and advised that a complete engine replacement is required. Prior to failure, the vehicle experienced significant oil loss, with oil leaking and rapidly depleting despite proper maintenance. Oil levels dropped abno...
intake camshaft position actuator circuit alert went off I have had the engine replaced 3 times in this car in the past year now, the first time in February of 2025 then in August of 2025 and again in October of 2025 and I am now having further engine troubles with this vehicle. All replacement engines have been re-manufactured and I have been told be the Kia dealership that the first 2 were sen...
THE DEALER FAILED TO COMPLETE THE ANTI-THEFT DET IGNITION CYL PROTECTOR, NOW MY CAR WAS STOLEN. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF, THEY EVEN ADDED BOTH DECALS ON EACH WINDOW, THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS, THAT SAID ANTI-THEFT DECAL INSTALLATION COMPLETED, BUT THE MAIN REASON WE BROUGH IT IN WAS BECAUSE WE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT OUT 2022 KIA SPORTAGE HAD A R...
Engine began to knock on [XXX] on my way home from work. Drove to work and back the next day, but heard a loud CLUNK when I started it to head home. Stopped at auto parts store and checked oil. Completely dry dip stick (after wiping it clean). Added 2 qts of synthetic since I had an appt the next morning ([XXX]) at 7:30am at dealership where I purchased it. Knocking stopped but only drove about 12...
While driving my 2022 Kia Sportage, the brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal hard several times and the vehicle did not slow down or stop at all. There was no braking pressure and no warning lights. Because the brakes failed completely, I crashed directly into a guardrail. The airbags deployed on impact. This was not driver error, it was a sudden and total brake system fai...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an explosion and observed that the moon roof glass had shattered, sending glass down into the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen KL33 Blackwall, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, and DOT Number: 27LZYANH1921. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The deale...
On [XXX] while driving on the highway my vehicle stalled and the engine light came on. I called my local Kia dealership and setup a diagnostic. My vehicle was dropped off 7/22/25 in which I was informed it was still under warranty and a claim would have to be filed. Days later I received a phone call stating I would have to provide maintenance records in which I have a personal mechanic who ser...
A few weeks ago while on the highway my check engine light started blinking and the car started to slow down and wouldn’t go over 25 miles per hour. My oil pressure light also light up. There was no oil at all. I took it in for an oil change because it was due soon. And explained what happened to them and they said they can check for oil consumption but it’s not covered under my engine warranty a...
Parking/Emergency brake stopped functioning. Safety issue. Dealer ran diagnostics and agreed with brake failure. Ordered replacement part.
The car lost engine strength wouldn't go above 60 and I received a code p1326. Now it's just blinks and moves at a crawl. I was on the freeway luckily I was able to get out the freeway without incident.
The engine light to our 2022 Kia Sportage went on and a ticking sound was heard in the engine. When we first took it to the dealer, they said it was a normal sound. We again took it to the dealer and spoke to the manager who apologized and said it was not normal to hear that. Warranty of course was no good because we did not get the oil changes through the dealership, which our car salesman had ...
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while stopping at a red light, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, where she opened the hood of the vehicle and observed flames coming from the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that the fire originated from the driver side of the engi...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact heard an abnormal clicking sound. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle was not revving and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed to approximately 15 MPH and would not accelerate beyond 15 MPH. T...
Radiator hose needs repair already and engine over heating. Kia will not cover it.
I recently filed a safety problem concerning my brakes activating for no reason. It had happened 3 times before I filed. It want to report that it happened a 4th time. On New Year's Eve, at approximately 6:20PM, I was driving on a 4 lane road about 35-40 MPH when my brakes slammed down hard. There was a long beeping sound only while the car was breaking but no other indicators. It was raining and ...
I purchased my 2022 Kia Sportage on September 15, 2021. In February 2022, there was a deep freeze. When then weather warmed up, there was a crack in my windshield. I took the car in for it's 6 month service and the window was replaced. On Christmas morning 2023, there was a crack in my windshield again. in the same place. Both times the crack started on the driver's side in the bottom black area o...
The last 3 months, 3 times the brakes of my 2022 Kia Sportage activated without warning or reason while I was accelerating at about 35mph under different conditions. First time, my brakes slammed hard. I didn't know what was going on or why. I ended up trying to slam on my brakes which were already fully to the floor, but the car wouldn't stop. My lower body ended up under the steerling wheel, and...
Showing 20 of 40 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Kia Sportage
Has the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE been recalled?
Yes, the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE have?
The 2022 KIA SPORTAGE has 40 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2022 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 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE involve engine (11 complaints), trailer hitches (4 complaints), visibility (3 complaints). Other affected components include forward collision avoidance, unknown or other, steering.
How many crash reports does the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE out of 40 total complaints (15.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE out of 40 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE is generally recommended. It has 40 complaints, 1 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 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE are: 1. ENGINE (11 complaints), 2. TRAILER HITCHES (4 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (3 complaints), 4. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
Be cautious of engine misfires and electrical system issues, as they can lead to sudden vehicle malfunctions and safety risks. The 2022 KIA SPORTAGE has 40 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2022 KIA SPORTAGE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 40 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 8 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Failure and Electrical System Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
Known issues with the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE include: Engine Failure, Electrical System Issues, Brake Failure, Tire Issues. These are based on patterns found across 40 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
Engine misfires and electrical system issues are the most common, leading to engine failure and sudden vehicle malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2022 KIA SPORTAGE?
Yes, there is a recall for trailer hitches, but other recalls may apply based on specific issues.
What should I do if I experience sudden brake failure?
Pull over safely, check for any obvious issues, and contact your dealership for immediate assistance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine misfires and electrical system issues, as they can lead to sudden vehicle malfunctions and safety risks.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Kia Sportage
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Kia Sportage. The data includes 40 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2022 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