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Owner report · 2013 model year

2013 Kia Sportage

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2013 Kia Sportage
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 313 of 381 complaints (82%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 392 in 2012 to 381 in 2013.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
381
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,500–$2,950
Combined MPG
21–25

Complaints by model year

  1. 1812011
  2. 3922012
  3. 3812013
  4. 1252014
  5. 1462015

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine313 (82%)
  2. Other27 (7%)
  3. Brakes26 (7%)
  4. Electrical22 (6%)
  5. Transmission & Drivetrain18 (5%)
  6. Fuel System9 (2%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2013: 3 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20112012201320142015vs. 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,500–2,8502,500–2,9502,500–2,9502,700–2,9502,700–2,950
Combined MPG22–2521–2521–2521–2321–23
City / Highway MPG20–22 / 25–3019–21 / 25–3019–21 / 25–3019–21 / 24–2819–21 / 24–28
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)355–404355–423371–425376–422376–422
Complaints filed181392381125146Not compared
Recalls issued65332Not compared
Crash-involved complaints77537Not compared
Fire-involved complaints81622111Not compared
Injuries reported810635Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared33323

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sportage have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Kia Sportage?

Engine: 313 of 381 NHTSA complaints (82%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Kia Sportage get?

EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Kia Sportage?

EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 6-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD21 mpg (high)30 mpg (high)25 mpg (high)$2,500 (low)371 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Manual 6-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg$2,700396 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD21 mpg (high)28 mpg24 mpg$2,600380 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic 6-spd42.4L4-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg$2,700396 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 6-spd42.4L4-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD19 mpg (low)25 mpg (low)21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)425 g/mi (high)
Configuration 6Automatic 6-spd42.0L4-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD20 mpg25 mpg (low)22 mpg$2,850406 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine31321910
Transmission & Drivetrain180000
Fuel System90300
Electrical220500
Brakes261210
Steering20000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires80100
Airbags & Restraints52030
Driver Assistance & Speed Control60100
Body, Seats & Latches70100
Visibility & Lighting40010
Other271300

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    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.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE

    Campaign 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018

    Defect
    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
    Consequence
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy
    Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Campaign 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017

    Defect
    Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
    Consequence
    Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.