2010 Kia Sportage Problems & Owner Complaints

Service Brakes 6 1 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED ABDOMINAL BRUISES AND CHEST INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THEN TAKEN TO STATE FARM INSURANCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,594.”
NHTSA complaint #11061398, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approx…”
NHTSA complaint #11586194, 2024

“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the 4WD warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…”
NHTSA complaint #11570381, 2024

Air Bags 4 3 crash 5 injury 1 death

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT YET THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A REAR SEAT PASSENGER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT SUCH AS "CHECK ENGINE" OR THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A HIGHWAY AND WAS "T BONED" BY A UPS TRUCK TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONT PASSENGERS SURVIVED THE CRASH, ALBEIT WITH INJURIES REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BE TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TW…”
NHTSA complaint #11101169, 2018 · crash · 1 death(s)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED ABDOMINAL BRUISES AND CHEST INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THEN TAKEN TO STATE FARM INSURANCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,594.”
NHTSA complaint #11061398, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ANIMAL RAN OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE CALL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11141234, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Seat Belts 3

“I FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE KIA CALLED AND SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE SEAT BELT AS A COURTESY BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY LABOR, DEALER SAID A MOUSE CHEWED IT, I HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND IT IS FRAYED, ONLY ONE, NO OTHER SEAT BELT, COAT, TOWELS, WALMART TOTES NOTHING NOT EVEN THE PAPERS THAT CAME WITH CAR AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES IT EXCEPT FOR DEALERSHIP MECHANICS. I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS THEIR FAULT. I FILED IN SEPTEMBER, AND THEY JUST CALLED A WEEK AGO AND TODAY, IF YOU CAN'T HELP ME I WILL TAKE THE MATTER TO THE STATE POLICE FOR THE SEATBELT FRAYED IS RIGHT ACROSS…”
NHTSA complaint #11144546, 2018

“INSIDE RIDER SEATBELT IS FRAYED BAD, WHEN ON IT IS ACROSS CHEST WHEN NOT USED FRAYED PART IS DOWN INSIDE, THE KIA GARAGE IS BLAMING A MOUSE CHEWED, NO WAY COULD A MOUSE GET IN THAT TINY PLACE THAT IS ONLY SIZE OF A THIN PAPER PLATE, KIA WHEN I CALLED HE HUNG UP ON ME,IF I AM IN A ACCIDENT INJURED OR DIE FROM THIS THEY WILL BE SUED, I DROVE FRIDAY,SATURDAY AND MONDAY WITH AIR ON NO SMELL, TUESDAY DRIVER SAID AS SOON AS HE GOT IN HE COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL ,THEY SAID ON MY COPY OF SERVICE PAPER THEY FOUND 2 MICE LIVING NONE DEAD, BUT PERSON AT GARAGE SAID HE FOUND 1DEAD, ONE LIVING, MY PAPER I…”
NHTSA complaint #11127973, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WERE BOTH DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10556636, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approx…”
NHTSA complaint #11586194, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11395431, 2021

Engine 2

“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts are not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11560288, 2023

“CAR WAS RUNNING AND BEGAN TO LEAVE STORE PARKING LOT, CAR WAS KNOCKING, AND THEN ENTIRE CAR STOPPED WORKING-POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, BRAKES. CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AFTER TOW AND DIAGNOSIS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL LIGHT HAD BEEN INTERMITTENTLY LIT ON HILLS BUT WAS NOT ON CONSISTENTLY. CAR HAD BEEN KNOCKING INTERMITTENTLY THE WEEK PRIOR. TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE ROD FAILURE. THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL SMELL UNTIL IT DIED. OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED LESS THAN 3 MONTHS PRIOR.”
NHTSA complaint #11110944, 2018

Power Train 2

“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the 4WD warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…”
NHTSA complaint #11570381, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,619.”
NHTSA complaint #10486083, 2012

Unknown Or Other 2

“I received notification of recall associated with my vehicle. I scheduled appointment and dealer needed to order part. When I showed up for repair, I was turned away and advised that kia is no longer repairing vehicles for recall 23V652000. Can you verify that the recall is no longer occurring and that the risk of encountering the problem is being remedied in some other manner? They told me kua would send me a letter, but I have yet to receive one.”
NHTSA complaint #11590503, 2024

“WHEN IT RAINS AND THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL WATER ON ROAD, MY KIA HAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. ON A RAINING DAY TURNING INTO PARKING LOT THAT HAD LARGE PUDDLE ON A DAY WHERE THERE A SUDDEN TORRENTIAL RAIN. THIS HAPPENED ON WANTAGH PARKWAY IN LONG ISLAND. ON A RAINY DAY WHEN TRUCK WENT THRU PUDDLE OF WATER NEXT TO ME AND SPLASHED A LOT OF WATER IN MY DIRECTION. THIS HAPPEND ON A CITY STREET.”
NHTSA complaint #11061373, 2018

Electrical System 1

“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 11/28/2016 NHTSA RECALL #: 16V815 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED BERGSTROM KIA IN OSHKOSH, WI TO SCHEDULE REPAIR. WAS TOLD PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED AND WOULD RECEIVE NOTICE WHEN PARTS WERE IN. CALLED AGAIN ON 1/23/2017 AND WAS TOLD PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED AND DEALER HAD BEEN TOLD THAT KIA COULD NOT PROVIDE DATE WHEN PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. CONTINUING TO PARK VEHICLE OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF FIRE HAZARD AS RECOMMENDED IN RECALL NOTICE. NOT VERY CONVENIENT IN WISCONSIN IN WINTER.”
NHTSA complaint #10947065, 2016

Exterior Lighting 1

“WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL .SOMETIME THE START UP AND SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T. NOW ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE REGULAR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING . THEY JUST STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11318776, 2020

Seats 1 1 injury

“THE HEADREST POSITION IN NEW VEHICLES HAS CAUSED THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME IN THIS DRIVER WHO IS 5'4". MY CERVICAL SPINE IS FORCED OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH MY THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINE. AFTER DRIVING FOUR OR FIVE HOURS WHICH I DO FOR WORK, I EXPERIENCE NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN. ARM AND HAND TINGLING/NUMBNESS AND PAIN IS SO SEVERE THAT IT HAS INTERFERED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY JOB. I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT IF I EXPERIENCED A REAR-END COLLISION, I WOULD SUFFER A CLOSED HEAD INJURY AS MY HEAD AND NOT MY NECK RESTS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE HEADREST. I'D RATHER TAKE MY CHANCES WITH WHIPLASH. JUST…”
NHTSA complaint #10398341, 2010 · 1 injury(ies)

Steering 1

“WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL .SOMETIME THE START UP AND SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T. NOW ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE REGULAR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING . THEY JUST STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11318776, 2020

Structure 1

“WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL .SOMETIME THE START UP AND SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T. NOW ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT AND ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE REGULAR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING . THEY JUST STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11318776, 2020

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11395431, 2021