2017 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 10%of 404 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Sportage, 10% of the 404 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My car has service engine light on, when to dealer tuesday and they schedule me an appointment a week later on tuesday, but my car breakdown on friday night on highway, radiator overheat and start leaking, damage some other parts and now dealer doesn't want to fix my car and want me to pay $2800.00. My car was on motion on the highway driving 60 to 70mile per hour. Kia has a recall for same problem I had on Kia sorento 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11061515, filed 2018-01, 10,000 miles“While driving at a steady speed, car will suddenly disengage the transmission, the rpms will rev high and then transmission will re-engage. This usually lasts 20-30 seconds, it is very random. I have taken it in and because no codes are showing and they are unable to recreate there is nothing they can do. It is a very serious issue as if I'm driving in heavy traffic and this occurs it could result in a crash. It happens sporadically and cannot document anything as it is over before I can as I am driving when it happens”
NHTSA complaint #11399976, filed 2021-03, 36,000 miles“07/25/2019 took car to hilltop Kia because auto transmission had been slipping, then stuck in 4th gear. Could not manually shift to change. Dealer replaced transmission switch plate/sensor. Car was returned to me on 8/15/2019. 9/19 returned car to dealer as transmission started slipping again, shifting rough and then accelerating to get on freeway rpms flew up as car went into neutral. I luckily stayed to right as truck behind me swerved left. Car then went into gear, I got off freeway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11258358, filed 2019-09, 57,000 miles“My 2017 KIA SPORTAGE has 74,695 miles. I am the 2ND owner. The engine failed at highway speed, due to so called knock sensor. This the first safety issue, no assisted steering or brakes. I paid to have towed. The Kia dealer had no loaner cars. And was told it would take up to ten weeks to get an engine. After the KIA dealer replaced the engine. The power steering, alternator, and water pump belt came off. This caused the second safety issue, as there is no powersteering making it very difficult to control as well as third safety issue the computer to stopped the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11484514, filed 2022-09, 74,695 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10245265Nov 9, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10242913Sep 25, 2023PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of…
- 10238484Jun 8, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10237610Jun 1, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10170781Jan 7, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.
- 10168851Nov 8, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - PARTIAL REPAIR OF 4WD COUPLING - This bulletin provides the procedure information regarding the partial repair of the Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Coupling…
- 10159250Apr 5, 2019TSB: 2.4GDI TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR SHIFT FLARE - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2017-2018MY Sportage…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 19 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 18 | 11% |
| 2017 | 41 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 12% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 57 | 20% |
| 1998 | 63 | 21% |
| 1997 | 25 | 14% |
| 1996 | 11 | 19% |
| 1995 | 4 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2017 Kia Sportage
222 complaintsOther or unknown
75 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology