2017 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Sportage most often report engine-related problems: oil consumption, stalls and loss of power, knocking, and in some complaints engine replacement. These reports come in across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 100,000, and are frequently described alongside the check engine or oil pressure lights. A smaller but consistent share of complaints covers doors that will not open, power window regulators, and hesitant or delayed acceleration.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and engine failure/stall

   • 191 complaints (47%)
   • median 80,771 mi at 5.4 yrs old (80 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,350 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine using far more oil than expected, sometimes with no oil on the dipstick at an oil change and no low-oil light showing. Along with that come stalling or loss of motive power at speed, knocking or ticking sounds, and in several cases a dealer diagnosis that the engine had seized or needed replacement. Some owners say a dealer performed an oil consumption test, and others report the repair was declined or quoted at their expense. Reports span roughly 50,000 to 140,000 miles, with many in the 70,000 to 120,000 mile range.

   Recall 18V9070003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burning smell, and ask for records showing oil consumption tests or a prior engine replacement. Ask whether the knock sensor detection and related software updates were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car is rapidly burning oil and not dripping on ground. Recent activity: oil dipstick showed no oil on 01/18/2021 and took 3 quarts. It read full! On 01/25/2021. Service station reported out of oil again! Oil light on dashboard did not light.Kia dealership advised an oil consumption test that will be reported to you. I think it is important for you note that this occurred 1000 miles into my regularly scheduled 3000 mile oil change. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389779, filed 2021-01, 90,000 miles

   “My 2017 Kia Sportage completely died on me. It was towed to jensen tires and I was told that the engine was totally blown. I then had it towed to h&h Kia in omaha, ne and shane clapps (service person) stated that the engine was indeed blown and needs a new engine. The vehicle was in motion and died on my in the middle of hwy 370 & 25th st in bellevue, ne. Tried jumping the vehicle, but it would not start at all. That is when or got towed to jensen tires, first, then to h&h Kia”

   NHTSA complaint #11365476, filed 2020-10, 10 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine compartment smoke and fire reports

   • 54 complaints (13%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe smoke coming from under the hood while driving, sometimes with a burning odor and in some cases visible flames. Owners often report losing power or stalling shortly before or during the event, and that emergency services or a bystander disconnected the battery. Several of these complaints were filed by owners who had received recall notices for other campaigns. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles, at highway and in-town speeds alike.

   Recall 21V137000Recall 22V703000

   What to check: Ask whether the HECU and tow hitch harness recalls (21V137000, 22V703000) were completed, and have the engine compartment inspected for leaks, chafing wiring, or a fuel smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 - 50 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate unintendedly. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the pedal went to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11694102, filed 2025-10, 88,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved loudly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and then the vehicle slid into the ditch. The accelerator pedal was depressed when the contact noticed the rear end of the vehicle had caught fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11555028, filed 2023-11, 67,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Hesitation and delayed or unintended acceleration

   • 72 complaints (18%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle hesitating when the accelerator is pressed, then surging or picking up power abruptly. Other complaints describe the engine bogging down at steady speed or the vehicle briefly going into limited-power mode with the check engine light flashing. Some owners say dealers could not reproduce the problem or found no stored codes. Reported across a broad range, from around 15,000 to 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and watch for hesitation, surging, or flashing warning lights, and ask whether any stored codes or software updates were addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While making a stop sign my Kia Sportage started accelerating involuntarily like if I step on the gas pedal all the way! I immediately thought of just turning my vehicle off but after I switch the gear to neutral. This incident was very scary to the point that I do not feel secure to drive it. Very scary experience.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361000, filed 2020-09, 52,668 miles

   “We were driving steady at about 45 MPH and the RPM gauge rubbed at random just once every time. It has happened more than once we don't change your speed or anything it just rubs up to about 5000 RPM and go back to normal and does it sporadically”

   NHTSA complaint #11408269, filed 2021-04, 91,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Doors will not open from inside or outside

   • 28 complaints (7%)
   • median 60,350 mi at 3.4 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report a door, often a rear or front passenger door, failing to open from either the inside or outside handle after unlocking. The failure is described as sudden and not tied to an accident, and some owners say the inside handle still works while the outside does not. Complaints indicate dealers did not cover it once the warranty ended, with repair quoted at the owner's cost. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 90,000 miles, often soon after the basic warranty ended.

   What to check: Open and close every door from both the inside and outside handle during a test drive, and check that the key fob and interior lock switches operate each door.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since the used car lot did not supply is with a key fob, we have to use the key to unlock the doors. When putting key in driver's door and turning key twice in a row (quickly)to unlock all doors, we have to pull handle anywhere from 2-3 times before the door will open. The car was stopped and not running when this happens.”

   NHTSA complaint #11414762, filed 2021-05, 117,774 miles

   “My car is 3 years old and I am not able open both front doors from outside. It is mechanical issue with Kia quality product. Specially my passenger door was not open that often. The issue is that after locking the car and then I try unlock, the door is unlock but outside handle do not open the door. Inside handle works with no problem. Since my warranty ended at 60k, so it is not cover but I am sure more cars have the same issues and should be recall created for this issue,”

   NHTSA complaint #11320115, filed 2020-04, 65,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Power window regulators failing

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe windows that stop rolling up or down, in some cases all four at once, and in others one at a time as the regulator or motor fails. Owners report paying out of pocket for replacements once out of warranty. One owner also notes inoperative chimes and warning sounds. Usually reported between about 34,000 and 150,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run every window up and down through its full travel and listen for slow spots or grinding, and confirm the chime and warning sounds work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All four power window regulator/motors have had to be replaced. Vehicle placed in service may 2016 and currently has 34,000 miles. Driver side and passenger side regulator/motor's failed while vehicle still under warranty. Both rear window regulator/motor's failed december 2019 and were replaced february 2020 by the dealer at a cost to the owner of $1044.63.”

   NHTSA complaint #11312180, filed 2020-02, 34,015 miles

   “All windows failed to roll up or down, malfunctioning simultaneously. The issues are available for inspection upon request. My safety is put at risk in that all windows not functioning does not allow for fresh air to the cabin, constantly having to use the A/C. Opening the sunroof causes reverberation and popping of the ears. Windows will have to be broken in the event that driver or passenger can’t open door from the inside after possible collision. The problem been confirmed by an independent service center. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11530217, filed 2023-07, 149,910 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.