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2007 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports5 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

8 reports
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148,943 miles · Mar 13, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaire…

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The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,943.

NHTSA ODI #11648205

184,527 miles · Aug 5, 2024
EngineFire

While driving on the interstate, kia caught on fire. We got off interstate at our stop and a car started honking. As we didn't know car engine was on fire. We pulled into a parking lot and got out. The fire department was called. No one has looked at it to see what happened. Fire dept stated vehicle probably can't be fixed. We s…

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While driving on the interstate, kia caught on fire. We got off interstate at our stop and a car started honking. As we didn't know car engine was on fire. We pulled into a parking lot and got out. The fire department was called. No one has looked at it to see what happened. Fire dept stated vehicle probably can't be fixed. We see there was a recall on 2007 vehicles. This is a 2007.

NHTSA ODI #11606550

66,208 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Engine

MY ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE AUG 15 2017 FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. KIA HAS NOW GIVEN ME 8 DIFFERENT DATES FOR A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11172114

60,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
EngineSteering

I OWN A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE LX WITH 6,0259 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH WARRANTY, BUT OF COURSE THAT HAS EXPIRED. WHEN DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THROUGH RAIN AND OVER PUDDLES OF WATER MY BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND…

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I OWN A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE LX WITH 6,0259 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH WARRANTY, BUT OF COURSE THAT HAS EXPIRED. WHEN DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THROUGH RAIN AND OVER PUDDLES OF WATER MY BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND NOT DUE TO REGULAR 'WEAR AND TEAR.' I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE THAT HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DURING A RAIN STORM, WORRYING THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL AND LEAVE ME STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #10861690

165,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #10730661

69,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER IN OCTOBER 2012, A 'SPLASH' OF WATER ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE ENGINE IN MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2012 AND 2013. BUT, IN 2014, IT HAS HAPPENED MUCH MORE OFTEN. E…

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WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER IN OCTOBER 2012, A 'SPLASH' OF WATER ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE ENGINE IN MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN 2012 AND 2013. BUT, IN 2014, IT HAS HAPPENED MUCH MORE OFTEN. ENOUGH TO FORCE ME TO TAKE MY SPORTAGE INTO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM USING A HOSE, SINCE THEY DID NOT WISH TO HAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES TRY TO DRIVE IT IN ACTUAL RAIN. THEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN MAKING THE CAR STALL. THEREFORE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. RECENTLY, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS WHAT IS GETTING WET AND STALLING THE CAR. IF KIA IS WILLING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL, IT DOES NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. THE IGNITION COIL WILL STILL BE IN A VULNERABLE PLACE UNDER MY CAR. I WOULD EXPECT THE SAME TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE EVEN WITH A NEW IGNITION COIL. I CANNOT HAVE MY CAR STALL OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN WHILE GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I REFUSE TO ENDANGER MYSELF AND MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD, WITH A PROBLEM THAT KIA IS AWARE OF. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AT MY DISPOSAL. LOOKING AT INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT RECALL AND REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL WEB SITES MENTIONING THIS DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY CHECKED THEIR DATABASES AND DID NOT FIND ANY SUCH PROBLEMS/RECALLS ABOUT STALLING OR IGNITION COILS. LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. DO I NEED TO WAIT FOR INJURY OR DEATH TO GET A RESOLUTION? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644855

115,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Engine

IN MARCH 2013 I HAD CASEY KIA INSTALL A REFURBISHED ENGINE TO REPLACE MY BAD ENGINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET I SPENT ABOUT 3300.00. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO WHICH I HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES UNTIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013. IT STARTED BINDING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR. FLUID WA…

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IN MARCH 2013 I HAD CASEY KIA INSTALL A REFURBISHED ENGINE TO REPLACE MY BAD ENGINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET I SPENT ABOUT 3300.00. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO WHICH I HAD NO KNOWN ISSUES UNTIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013. IT STARTED BINDING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR. FLUID WAS ALSO ON RADIATOR. CASEY ALSO INSTALLED RADIATOR AT THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. THEY SAID IN THEIR REPORT THEY REPLACED ALL FLUIDS AND REPLACED FILTERS. COME TO FIND OUT WHEN I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO AMMOCO TRANSMISSION ON NOVEMBER, 19, 2013 THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION BAD BUT RADIATOR WAS BAD..NO ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AT ANY TIME. THEY DID A COMPLETE 100 POINT SYSTEM CHECK COME TO FIND OUT CASEY KIA INSTALLED ENGINE INCORRECTLY LEAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMPLETELY OFF SO THAT IF I HAD ANY ISSUES WHAT SO EVER THAT I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY MORE OUT OF POCKET FOR INTENSIVE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. THIS CAR BECAME SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE THAT I WAS FORCED TO HAVE TO TRADE IT IN TO HALL HYUNDAI WHICH OF COURSE I GOT 1800.00 FOR A 10,000.00 VEHICLE. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO GIVE UP MY FAVORITE VEHICLE I WAS FORCED INTO HAVING TO BUY A CAR I DID NOT LIKE AND DID NOT WANT..BECAUSE I NEEDED IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION DUE TO BEING MILITARY..I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE KIA CORPORATION WHICH THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. I HAVE COMPLETE REPORTS FROM AMMOCO AND THE FACT THAT I HAD TO REDO THE FLUIDS AND REDO THE OIL CHANGES AFTER IT CAME OUT OF CASEY KIA HANDS .THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE SEVERE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL DASHBOARD ISSUES AND IS NOT CERTIFIED PREOWNED..AND IF IS A LIE..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME PLEASE DO I HAVE ALL THE MAINTENANCE HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE AND ITS NOT PRETTY..[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553488

80,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MUL…

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WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR ON THE VEHICLE BEING MOUNTED 'LOW TO THE GROUND'. WELL, THE ALTERNATOR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED, AND I HAD DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES MANY TIMES OVER THE PREVIOUS SIX YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR A DEALERSHIP THAT SIMPLY WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, BUT LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING ASSIST COMPROMISES SAFE OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511361

Official recalls

2

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems