2017 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

4 recalls and 403 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Sportage.

4
recalls
403
owner complaints
14
complaints mentioning a crash
28
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.

2017 Kia Sportage recalls

Trailer hitches

NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · reported September 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 70,887 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
The risk
A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

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

NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · reported March 4, 2021 · Kia Motors America · 379,931 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Engine · Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Trailer hitches · Electrical system

NHTSA campaign 16V862000 · reported November 30, 2016 · Kia Motors America · 10,212 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

Most reported problems

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

What owners report

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

Oct 20, 2026 · Electrical system · 174,000 miles

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…

Oct 19, 2026 · Engine · fire reported

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

Sep 30, 2026 · Exterior lighting

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…

Sep 25, 2026 · Engine

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…

Aug 25, 2026 · Unknown or other

I have a 2017 Kia Sportage with a recurring door latch problem. Several years ago, the driver’s door developed a problem where it would not open properly from the outside. Kia repaired the driver’s door latch under warranty extension WTY020. The passenger door has now developed the exact same problem. It will not open…

Sportage model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2014 312531
2015 2146711
2016 213485
2017 44031428
2018 3165712
2019 27133
2020 21641113

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

Questions

Does the 2017 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on September 19, 2022 (Trailer hitches). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Sportage?
Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (221 complaints), followed by unknown or other (69).
How many 2017 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?
14 of 403 complaints report a crash and 28 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 20, 2026.