RoadVitals

2007 Kia Sportage

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
77
Latest Aug 24, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 1, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Kia Sportage, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 32 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V114000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 1, 2013
980,377 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kia Motors CorporationManufacturer number SC098View on NHTSA.gov
09V130000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 17, 2009
139,844 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
The 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.
KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONManufacturer number SC077View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 77
Suspension
Filed Aug 24, 2025

the rear subframe is completely rusted out the car only has 120,000 miles was able to get it home but something under it is making a banging noise looked under it and the subframe is rusted out

NHTSA ID
11682714
Incident
Aug 20, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2025

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 ID
11648205
Incident
Mar 13, 2025
Mileage
148,943 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the electronic brake control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,967.

NHTSA ID
11613802
Incident
Sep 10, 2024
Mileage
214,967 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2024
Fire reported

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 ID
11606550
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
Mileage
184,527 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 23, 2023

The stop lamp switch was recalled & mine was replaced in 2010, but the part they replaced it with was faulty also and I’ve been driving without brake lights for years without knowing it. Then when I contacted KIA escalated customer “service,” they double-talked and gaslit me.

NHTSA ID
11523559
Incident
May 23, 2023
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 2023
Fire reported

Just bought this vehicle Feb 16 and esc plus engine light came on replaced sensors they didnt go off pulling into drive at home it caught fire and burned totally destroyed panel on front passenger side at headlight near power box.Fire dept came they said it looks electrical and was the 2nd 2007 kia sportage they had put out today.

NHTSA ID
11514966
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 6, 2021

Completely rusted out frame by back right suspension and caused suspension to collapse..

NHTSA ID
11423657
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
Steering
Filed Nov 20, 2020

STEERING WHEEL JAMMED IN COLD WEATHER SPECIALLY IN MORNING, VERY HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ID
11375626
Incident
Sep 2, 2020
Mileage
175,600 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_TRA046_R5

POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This 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 is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

TSB_TRA046_R4

POWER TRAIN

This 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 is replaced.

TSB_TRA046_R3

POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This 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 is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.

TSB_BOD055_R1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.

PI1801_OWNER

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

OWNER LETTER - included in the Dealer Notification Package - This document notifies the owners of the Product Improvement Program to replace the fuel tank straps on their vehicles.

PI1801_QA

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

QA - Listing of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding the Product Improvement Program.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Sportage by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026251055.8
2025491052.4
2024663059.1
20231846062.9
2022451054.9
2021492272.8
20201572271.8
2019692266.7
20181603165.7
20173984270.8
20161302259.9
20151462259.6
20141223258.2
20133803463.8
20123925464.0
20111816462.3
2010202155.2
2009803158.3
2008983161.7
2007Viewing772053.1
20061111042.2
2005683050.5
2003400—
20022343459.0
20012282257.2
20003044661.6
19992845862.4
19983035660.4
19971813465.0
1996573265.4
1995562149.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.