2007 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (9) · Service Brakes (8) · Exterior Lighting (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sportage model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
57 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 20
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Service bulletins (32)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Fuel System, Gasoline 2018-03-26 · PI1801_TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: product improvement campaign - fuel tank strap replacement (pi1801) - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the fuel tank straps on certain 2005-2007my sportage vehicles manufactured from may 27, 2004 through april 25, 2007. although there have been no customer complaints about the fu
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2018-03-26 · PI1801_QA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
qa - listing of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the product improvement program.
Showing the 6 most recent of 32 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-24 · Suspension“the rear subframe is completely rusted out the car only has 120,000 miles was able to get it home but something under it is making a banging noise looked under it and the subframe is rusted out…”
2025-03-13 · Engine · 148,943 mi“the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was no…”
2024-09-10 · Service Brakes · 214,967 mi“the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the electronic brake control module had failed and neede…”
2024-08-05 · Engine · 184,527 mi · 🔥 fire“while driving on the interstate, kia caught on fire. we got off interstate at our stop and a car started honking. as we didn't know car engine was on fire. we pulled into a parking lot and got out. the fire department was called. no one has looked at it to see what happened. fire dept stated vehicle probably can't be fixed. we see there was a recal…”
2023-05-23 · Exterior Lighting“the stop lamp switch was recalled & mine was replaced in 2010, but the part they replaced it with was faulty also and i’ve been driving without brake lights for years without knowing it. then when i contacted kia escalated customer “service,” they double-talked and gaslit me. …”
2023-04-01 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“just bought this vehicle feb 16 and esc plus engine light came on replaced sensors they didnt go off pulling into drive at home it caught fire and burned totally destroyed panel on front passenger side at headlight near power box.fire dept came they said it looks electrical and was the 2nd 2007 kia sportage they had put out today.…”
2021-07-06 · Suspension“completely rusted out frame by back right suspension and caused suspension to collapse.. …”
2020-11-20 · Steering · 175,600 mi“steering wheel jammed in cold weather specially in morning, very hard to turn…”
2020-09-22 · Service Brakes · 169,562 mi“all wheel brake parts were replaced except for brake lines. within two weeks the brakes at the drivers side front and passenger side rear froze and the car would not move even in neutral? the only way to get those wheels brakes to release was to open the individual bleeder and push it by hand using only the emergancy brake to stop it in the garage.…”
2020-07-26 · Service Brakes · 169,562 mi“stopped at a red light to make a left turn. once the light turned green the brakes apparently locked up and the car would not go forward or reverse and couldn't be moved in the nuetral position and was impossible to move from traffic lane without tow truck help. when loading onto flat bed tow truck front drivers side wheel and passenger side rear w…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.