2013 Kia Sportage Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Kia Sportage. Part of Generation 3 — 2011–2016.

20122014
Complaints
448
per 10K Sold
135.9
US Sales
32,965
Crashes
6
Fires
35
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2013 Kia Sportage Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1299 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:99,855 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:18
#222 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:80,604 mi
Fires:5
#319 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:63,652 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Kia Sportage.

Engine Problems
299
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
18
Avg Miles
99,855
Electrical Faults
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
80,604
Hydraulic Brakes
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,652
Transmission / Drivetrain
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
87,040
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
116,696
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
62,253
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
16,393
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,924
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
43,325
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Sportage. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Kia Sportage

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,420,005 vehicles.

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~1,730,192 affected

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.

18V907000Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~71,653 affected

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.

17V224000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~618,160 affected

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Other Kia Sportage Years

2013 Kia Sportage — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Kia Sportage reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2013 Kia Sportage has 448 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 299 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Kia Sportage?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (299 complaints, avg 99,855 mi); Electrical Faults (22 complaints, avg 80,604 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (19 complaints, avg 63,652 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 93,847 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Kia Sportage include 6 crash-related reports, 35 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,420,005 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Kia Sportage?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Sportage reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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