2010 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I received notification of recall associated with my vehicle. I scheduled appointment and dealer needed to order part. When I showed up for repair, I was turned away and advised that kia is no longer repairing vehicles for recall 23V652000. Can you verify that the recall is no longer occurring and that the risk of encountering the problem is being remedied in some other manner? They told me kua would send me a letter, but I have yet to receive one.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the 4WD warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Feb 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 Service Brakes, Hydraulic however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts are not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control failed to deactivate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2021
“When turning on the vehicle it sounds like someone is pushing on the gas pedal .sometime the start up and some times it doesn't. Now all the interior lights went out and also the brake lights and the regular lights are not working . They just stop”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owned a 2010 kia sportage. The contact stated that an animal ran out onto the road and caused him to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the call was disconnected. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“I filed a complaint before kia called and said they would replace seat belt as a courtesy but I would have to pay labor, dealer said a mouse chewed it, I had 2 people look at it and it is frayed, only one, no other seat belt, coat, towels, walmart totes nothing not even the papers that came with car and I am the only one that drives it except for dealership mechanics. I am not paying for something that they know is their fault. I filed in september, and they just called a week ago and today, if you can't help me I will take the matter to the state police for the seatbelt frayed is right across my chest . Nothing happened yet but if I am in a accident I will be hurt”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sportage by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2010 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.