CarRecallWatchThe 2017 Kia Sportage has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 404 complaints with NHTSA, including 14 crashes, 28 fires, 19 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (222 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2017 Kia Sportage recalls
Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire
The tow hitch wiring harness module on these vehicles can accumulate debris and moisture on its circuit board.
Electrical short can cause engine fire, park outside
The electrical circuit in the brake system's Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can start a fire in the engine compartment.
Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire
Certain Kia Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles that previously had an engine replaced under an earlier recall, warranty, or product improvement campaign may have a high pressure fuel pipe near the fuel pump that was damaged, misaligned or improperly tightened during that engine replacement.
Trailer brake lights may stay on, confusing other drivers
A tow hitch wiring harness in certain vehicles can malfunction, causing the trailer brake lights to stay constantly illuminated.
Most common 2017 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 404 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 222 |
| Unknown Or Other | 69 |
| Electrical System | 63 |
| Power Train | 41 |
| Structure | 24 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 |
What owners report
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and needed to be towed. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,343.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Kia Sportage. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,600. The Carfax report listed the mileage as 140,000 in 2024. The contact stated that the vehicle was insured but not yet registered. The contact reported the odometer fraud to the Attorney General of Massachusetts. The contact emailed the dealer about the mileage discrepancy, and the dealer informed her that they were no longer leasing the vehicle. The current actual mileage was 174,000.
Driving home noticed smoke from under the hood, pulled over noticed smoke coming through the vents inside the car. Shut it off and got out called 911, they're were no warning lights or messages, the car was a total loss as I only carried liability, when fire trucks arrived, the whole front of the car was engaged
I own a 2017 Kia Sportage EX with the factory Snow White Pearl paint finish. The vehicle has been well maintained and has not been involved in an accident or collision. The factory paint on the trunk is peeling and delaminating from the vehicle. The white paint is separating completely from the surface, exposing the silver/gray layer underneath. The condition appears to be a failure of the factory paint/coating system rather than damage caused by an accident, collision, or external impact. I contacted Kia Customer Care to report the issue. I was initially told that this was the first time they had heard of this type of problem. Kia required me to open a case and have the vehicle inspected.
While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." This created an immediate, severe collision hazard with surrounding high-speed traffic. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage with a 2.4L Theta II engine, which had previously received the mandated KSDS safety software flash. The authorized dealership (Southwest Kia) refused to honor the safety recall and lifetime warranty parameters for this engine failure, instead classifying the issue as a "burnt valve" to deny coverage and forcing an out-of-pocket retail customer charge of $6,864.49 for
2017 Kia Sportage safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.5% rollover risk) |
| 2017 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (14.7% rollover risk) |
2017 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 2017 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Kia Sportage: Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire; Electrical short can cause engine fire, park outside; Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire; Trailer brake lights may stay on, confusing other drivers. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Sportage?
Based on 404 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (222), Unknown Or Other (69), Electrical System (63).
How safe is the 2017 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2017 Kia Sportage up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2017 Kia Sportage has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.