2011 Kia Sportage: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
181 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
181 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 12.07
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road. Passenger front and rear windows won't roll down. Had to replace battery as well. Inside door handles fell off as well as outside rear handles.…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine light was flashing, and the vehicle went into ECO mode. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not i…
On [XXX], my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while I was driving. The vehicle rapidly filled with smoke, causing throat and eye irritation from smoke inhalation. My insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Kia America (Case #[XXX]) acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a fire inspection would be conducted. The inspection was completed, but Kia has refused to release the findings or …
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 13V114000 | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year … |
| 15V360000 | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affecte… |
| 19V101000 | Engine | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss … |
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Li | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received a… |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Tract | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 20… |
| 17V224000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during t… |
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (77 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 53/100, computed from 181 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2011 Kia Sportage, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/04/2013. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-08-20.