What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (4 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (4).

How many 2010 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 20 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2010 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

2 recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Sportage.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 Kia Sportage recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported September 25, 2023 · Kia America, Inc. · 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags4
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Seat belts3
Electronic stability control (ESC)2
Engine2
Power train2
Service brakes2
Unknown or other2
Electrical system1
Exterior lighting1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 24, 2024 · Unknown or other
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…

Apr 30, 2024 · Service brakes · 66,000 miles
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)…

Feb 20, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic
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…

Feb 6, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 170,000 miles
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…

Jan 17, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic
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…

Sportage model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2007	2	77	10	5
2008	3	98	2	24
2009	3	80	4	8
2010	2	20	3	0
2011	6	181	7	8
2012	5	392	7	16
2013	3	381	5	22

Across all years, the 2017 Sportage has the most complaints (403). All Kia Sportage years →

Questions

Does the 2010 Kia Sportage have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on September 25, 2023 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Sportage?: Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (4 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (4).
How many 2010 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 20 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 24, 2024.