The worst Sportage year
The 2013 Sportage has the highest complaint rate of any year. Engine failures and overheating dominate.
Updated November 2026 · based on 381 owner complaints and 3 recalls
1,156 3.1x the Sportage average
3 free to fix at a dealer
Every Sportage year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2013 Sportage
Top problems and what they cost
Engine seizure
Loud bang and engine failure while driving.
Fix: Free under recall if eligible
Engine
Smoke and ABS fire risk
Smoke from the vents and ABS module recalls.
Fix: Free under recall 23V652
Brakes
Recalls
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 Kia Sportage
- Confirm recalls 17V224 and 23V652 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Sportage has 3 recalls on record, listed below.
- Listen for knocking and check the temperature gauge.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 206 complaints about engine knocking and failure on the 2013 Sportage, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2013 Kia Sportage reliable?
The worst Sportage year. The 2013 Sportage has the highest complaint rate of any year. Engine failures and overheating dominate.
How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sportage have?
3 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 Kia Sportage problems?
Engine seizure; Smoke and ABS fire risk.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 Kia Sportage SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.