What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

Kia Sportage Maintenance Cost

Kia Sportage maintenance costs. Full year-by-year breakdown, common problems, and which years to buy or avoid.

Last verified September 2026

$462

Avg. repairs/yr

8/10

Reliability

11%

Major repair risk (5yr)

$1,997

Avg. insurance / yr

Estimate the Kia Sportage's total cost for your mileage and years of ownership →

// RELIABILITY BY YEAR

Which year Sportage should you buy?

Green is safe, red means major known issues. Tap any year.
Years scored against Sportage's own complaint record — not against other SUVs.

2010 Kia Sportage

Second generation (JE/KM)

Engine: 2.0 L I4 (140 hp); 2.7 L V6 (173 hp)

Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic (I4); 4-speed automatic (V6)

Avoid

Complaint volume is more than 2× the model average. At least 10% of complaints involve an injury or death.

Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint complaints most reported in 2010. NHTSA recall 23V652 issued.

2 recalls on record. Affected systems:

Exterior Lighting
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks on the Sportage

Top issues ranked by share of total NHTSA complaints.

Engine

Common

Years affected: 2010–2025

Unknown or other

Moderate

Years affected: 2010–2026

Service brakes, electronic stability control (esc)

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2020, 2022–2026

Electrical system

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Vehicle speed control, electronic stability control (esc)

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Visibility/wiper

Rare

Years affected: 2011–2018, 2020–2025

Air bags

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2025

Steering, exterior lighting, structure

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2012, 2015–2018, 2020, 2022–2025

Fuel system, gasoline, power train

Rare

Years affected: 2011–2012, 2014–2017, 2020–2021, 2023–2026

Exterior lighting

Rare

Years affected: 2011–2012, 2015–2021, 2024

// MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Kia Sportage maintenance schedule

RepairPal's scheduled dealer-service costs for the Kia Sportage, by mileage interval. This is separate from the avg. repairs/yr figure above, which covers unscheduled repairs only.

Total scheduled service, 0–150k mi

$16,749–$21,803

Kia Sportage scheduled maintenance cost by mileage interval, with running total
Mileage	Service cost	Running total
3,000 mi	$102–$114	$102–$114
7,500 mi	$198–$263	$300–$377
8,000 mi	$102–$114	$402–$491
10,000 mi	$54–$68	$456–$559
13,000 mi	$102–$114	$558–$673
15,000 mi	$271–$367	$829–$1,040
16,000 mi	$340–$481	$1,169–$1,521
18,000 mi	$102–$114	$1,271–$1,635
20,000 mi	$54–$68	$1,325–$1,703
22,500 mi	$217–$273	$1,542–$1,976
23,000 mi	$102–$114	$1,644–$2,090
24,000 mi	$290–$410	$1,934–$2,500
28,000 mi	$102–$114	$2,036–$2,614
30,000 mi	$677–$930	$2,713–$3,544
32,000 mi	$342–$484	$3,055–$4,028
33,000 mi	$102–$114	$3,157–$4,142
37,500 mi	$182–$228	$3,339–$4,370
38,000 mi	$102–$114	$3,441–$4,484
40,000 mi	$54–$68	$3,495–$4,552
43,000 mi	$102–$114	$3,597–$4,666
45,000 mi	$449–$585	$4,046–$5,251
48,000 mi	$102–$114	$4,148–$5,365
50,000 mi	$57–$73	$4,205–$5,438
52,500 mi	$158–$196	$4,363–$5,634
53,000 mi	$102–$114	$4,465–$5,748
56,000 mi	$271–$393	$4,736–$6,141
58,000 mi	$102–$114	$4,838–$6,255
60,000 mi	$1,363–$1,812	$6,201–$8,067
63,000 mi	$102–$114	$6,303–$8,181
64,000 mi	$367–$520	$6,670–$8,701
67,500 mi	$217–$273	$6,887–$8,974
68,000 mi	$102–$114	$6,989–$9,088
70,000 mi	$54–$68	$7,043–$9,156
72,000 mi	$315–$446	$7,358–$9,602
73,000 mi	$102–$114	$7,460–$9,716
75,000 mi	$293–$397	$7,753–$10,113
78,000 mi	$102–$114	$7,855–$10,227
80,000 mi	$54–$68	$7,909–$10,295
82,500 mi	$158–$196	$8,067–$10,491
83,000 mi	$102–$114	$8,169–$10,605
88,000 mi	$102–$114	$8,271–$10,719
90,000 mi	$874–$1,174	$9,145–$11,893
93,000 mi	$102–$114	$9,247–$12,007
96,000 mi	$594–$799	$9,841–$12,806
97,500 mi	$158–$196	$9,999–$13,002
98,000 mi	$102–$114	$10,101–$13,116
100,000 mi	$164–$205	$10,265–$13,321
103,000 mi	$102–$114	$10,367–$13,435
104,000 mi	$271–$393	$10,638–$13,828
105,000 mi	$629–$827	$11,267–$14,655
105,500 mi	$147–$178	$11,414–$14,833
108,000 mi	$102–$114	$11,516–$14,947
110,000 mi	$54–$68	$11,570–$15,015
112,000 mi	$367–$520	$11,937–$15,535
112,500 mi	$241–$304	$12,178–$15,839
113,000 mi	$102–$114	$12,280–$15,953
118,000 mi	$102–$114	$12,382–$16,067
120,000 mi	$1,402–$1,870	$13,784–$17,937
123,000 mi	$102–$114	$13,886–$18,051
127,500 mi	$158–$196	$14,044–$18,247
128,000 mi	$102–$114	$14,146–$18,361
130,000 mi	$54–$68	$14,200–$18,429
133,000 mi	$102–$114	$14,302–$18,543
135,000 mi	$452–$588	$14,754–$19,131
136,000 mi	$271–$393	$15,025–$19,524
138,000 mi	$102–$114	$15,127–$19,638
140,000 mi	$54–$68	$15,181–$19,706
142,500 mi	$158–$196	$15,339–$19,902
143,000 mi	$102–$114	$15,441–$20,016
144,000 mi	$451–$632	$15,892–$20,648
148,000 mi	$102–$114	$15,994–$20,762
150,000 mi	$755–$1,041	$16,749–$21,803

RepairPal dealer-schedule pricing. Independent shops typically charge less, and your actual cost depends on which services you keep up. Running total is cumulative — each row includes everything before it.

// EXTENDED WARRANTY

Is a Sportage extended warranty worth it?

Probably not. The Kia Sportage's 11% major repair probability over 5 years is below the segment average — 89 out of 100 owners won't hit a repair that exceeds the warranty cost. The most reliable years to buy are the 2019, 2021, and 2024. The exception: if you're buying a 2010, 2012, and 2013, check the known issues before deciding.

// NEW VS USED

Buy new or save on a used Sportage?

The Sportage holds 76% of its value after 3 years — in line with the compact SUV average.

76%

Value retained · 3 yr

57%

Value retained · 5 yr

45%

Value retained · 7 yr

New Sportage

$30,900

MSRP including destination charge for base trim

Used Sportage

$20,500

KBB Fair Purchase Price, 2023, national average, good condition, ~36k miles

Avg. repairs / yr$462

Major repair risk (any year)11%

Avg. insurance premium / yr$1,997

MPG combined (City/Hwy)28

Value depreciation after 3 yr$7,009

// HEAD TO HEAD

How it compares

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full comparison

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

More Compact SUVs

Chevrolet Equinox Ford Escape GMC Terrain Honda CR-V Hyundai Tucson All Compact SUVs →

// FAQ

Common questions

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →