Home · 2017 Kia Sportage · Complaints

What 394 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Sportage

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (394)Crash / fire / injury (47)Engine (215)Electrical system (62)Transmission & drivetrain (40)Brakes (25)Body & structure (24)Fuel system (24)Speed control (17)Airbags (16)Lights (14)Steering (9)

16 of 394 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters

Jul 8, 2026AirbagsSpeed controlEngine

One day as I was turning at a green light the car completely stopped on me. I had to turn it off and then restart it and it worked fine. About a week later I had to drive to my cousin's house 45 minutes away and the car would not go, it acted like it was stalling and It didn't want to go over 2000RPMs and it was really sluggish like it didn't want to shift into the next gear. I finally got on the highway and it would not go past 60 miles an hour and then also if you try to drive it, it will slow down like its shutting off on you. I've had a new battery replaced, 4 new tires a windshield, and wipers replaced. I took the car to AutoZone and also to another guy and both of them used their computers and said that it's the engine and they called it rod knocking. I called customer service and they said yes their is a recall and that they would replace the engine. I tried to call kia in mesquite Texas because that is the closest one to me and I left a voicemail they did not call me back I am carless I'm a single disabled mother I need a working car.

NHTSA ODI 11749087

Apr 22, 2026Airbags

have a 2017 Kia Sportage and there is something unusual in the airbag compartment on the console in front of the front passenger seat. Although there are no apparent signs of damage or impact, it seems that the airbag has been partially deployed. After seeking input from multiple individuals, they all agreed that this is probably a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, when I contacted Kia, they let me know that they are unable to help me because the vehicle's warranty has expired. I have been a dedicated Kia customer for more than 15 years, having owned five different models throughout that period. I've never come across a manufacturing defect like this in any of my Kia vehicles before.

NHTSA ODI 11733068

Aug 2, 2023Airbags1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, during which he fell asleep as he was returning home from a Dialysis appointment, he rear-ended another vehicle that was at the stop light, and the air bag did not deploy. The contact was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a fractured chest. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,495.

NHTSA ODI 11536151

Jun 6, 2023Airbags

Airbag light came on. Was inspected by dealership. They informed me that the front side airbag needs to be replaced, as it is not grounded properly, and it could randomly deploy, or not deploy if accident occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11525600

Apr 14, 2022AirbagsSeat beltsEngine

I HAVE A AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH THE "THETA II" ENGINE WHICH IS UNDER A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST ENGINE FIRES I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT 70K MILES AT HOLLYWOOD KIA I CHECKED THE CAR AT 73K AND IT WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW I ADDED 1.5 QUARTS LOW I ADDED ANOTHER HALF QUART AT 74K IT WAS A QUART LOW AT 75K WHEN I GOT THE NEXT OIL CHANGE ALSO, I HAD TO ADD A QUART AT 77K, 78K AND 79K JUST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA CORPORATE CASE # 14755737 I AM GOING INTO GUNTHER KIA NEXT WEEK TO GET MY 80K OIL CHANGE I LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH SERVICE MANAGER ANTHONY DECARLO AS WELL ENGINE OIL LIGHT NEVER COMES ON COULD THIS ALSO BE RELATED TO THE ENGINE FIRE ISSUES ?

NHTSA ODI 11460734

Jan 31, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 30-35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of her vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of a family member. The contact sustained a concussion, jaw and back injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the air bags do not always deploy in the event of a crash; therefore they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449584

Jan 21, 2022Airbags

Passenger airbag malfunction light came on and has stayed on. We are 30 days pass warranty and were given a quote of over $2600 to replace the airbag by the Kia dealership where we purchased this 2017 Kia Sportage. There are only 26,000 miles on it with no accidents. This is a safety issue and puts any passengers riding in that seat at a very high risk. A recall needs to be issued asap. My research on this problem revealed other recalls in the past on Kia airbags.

NHTSA ODI 11448392

Oct 19, 2021Airbags

While driving heard a loud cracking noise, when I made ot to my destination I noticed that the dash infront of the passenger seat were the airbag is has two v cracks in it

NHTSA ODI 11437397

Apr 18, 2021Airbags

2017 KIA SPORTAGE GOING ON 2 YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE 71256 MILEAGE NO ACCORDING ACCIDENTS ..AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED SOLID .. AFTER SCANNING ALL SYSTEMS FOR POSSIBLE TROUBLE CODES I DID GET A B1375 .. WHICH REFERS TO A PASSENGER DEFECTIVE AIRBAG MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT OR FURTHER TESTING WHAT CONCERNS ME IS IF IN AN ACCIDENT WILL THIS AIRBAG FUNCTION ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY FAMILY IN THIS ONLY VEHICLE WE HAVE I CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP NOT UNDER ANY KIND OF WARRANTY I EXPLAINED WHAT IT MIGHT BE THEY QUOTED A PRICE OF OVER 1000 DOLLARS OR MORE AT THIS TIME CANNOT AFFORD SUCH AN EXPENSE I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAG ISSUES AT ALL KIA MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY THIS EXTREMELY SAFETY DEFECT

NHTSA ODI 11412755

Aug 27, 2020Airbags

THE AIRBAG SAFTY LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF.. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS THIS MEANS THE AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING OR IS MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ODI 11351692

May 15, 2020AirbagsSpeed controlCrash

UPON PULLING UP TO THE DRIVEWAY TO GET READY TO PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN LEADING TO CRASH THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR & IMPACT TO THE WALL. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324707

Mar 9, 2020Airbags

I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG CAUTION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TO FIND OUT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE WAITING FOR SERVICE, MY HUSBAND WAS ASKED WHETHER WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HE TOLD THEM NO. WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALER CERTIFIED USED AND THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO US PURCHASING IT. FAILURE TO REPLACE THE CONTROL UNIT WOULD HAVE RENDERED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM USELESS.

NHTSA ODI 11317011

Jan 20, 2019AirbagsCrash

INTERSTATE, WEATHER AFFECTED COLLISION WITH CABLE BARRIERS AT 70MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH AN IMPACT SENSOR WAS DEFINITELY HIT. I AM LOOKING TO TAKE THIS CASE TO KIA AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11171105

Aug 22, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE OTHER DRIVER'S INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11121651

Jul 13, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

I HIT A SMALL DEER AT 73MPH TOTALED MY KIA HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE HOOD CAME UP AND BUSTED MY WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED GLASS TO GET IN MY EYES. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT KNOCKED THE BATTERY OUT AND BUSTER THE RADIATOR, HADN'T MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT YET.

NHTSA ODI 11111138

Jul 9, 2018AirbagsBody & structureEngineCrash3 injuries

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, RESULTING IN MY SUV BEING TOTALED. I WAS STATIONARY IN THE DOUBLE TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET. THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS PUSHED NEARLY INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM END TO END, HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS DOING ABOUT 45-50MPH AND HER AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY ALTHOUGH SHE HAD SIDE IMPACT/DAMAGE. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAVE A CONCUSSION RESULTING IN MEMORY LOSS AND PAINFUL SWELLING BEHIND MY EYE. I AM ALSO BEING TREATED FOR MULTIPLE BACK INJURIES. MY 17M OLD WAS IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL BUT WAS IN HIS REAR FACING CAR SEAT, NOT YET SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 11110355

Working with the data? Download all 394 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Kia Sportage verdict →