Is the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE reliable?

The 2013 Kia SPORTAGE has 449 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE?

Top problems: ENGINE (314 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (27 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (25 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

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

The 2013 Kia SPORTAGE gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE often stolen?

The Kia SPORTAGE was the #18 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 5,700 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Kia SPORTAGE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE is approximately $1,822/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Kia SPORTAGE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Kia SPORTAGE has 449 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 193. The most common issue is engine problems (70% of all complaints), specifically: we experience an intermittent raw gasoline smell in the interior cabin of the vehicle. this problem started a few weeks after purchasing the vehicle and has persisted ever since despite 3 repair attempts at kia dealerships (22aug2012, 07jan2013, 30jan2013). because it is intermittent (occurring on. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 33 fire reports filed.

33 fire reports 4 crash reports 2 injuries

449

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

314 complaints

70%

• WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ON
• WHEN YOU CLIMB HILLS LIKE THE ONE ON INTERSTATE 20 OR A SMALL INCLINE IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE CAR WANT GO THE GAS IS MASHED TO THE FLOOR AND INSTEAD OF THE CAR SPEEDING UP IT SLOWS DOWN. DOING 80 I-20 START UP HILL SLOWS DOWN TO BELOW 60MPH. WHEN YOU TO START OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY OR FROM A STOP S
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE OIL PAN AND SEAL WERE LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,932.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 19 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ON”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Kia SPORTAGE

Based on 327 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 94K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

118

100-150K

123

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 17K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 21K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 65K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 87K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 89K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS19/12/2018

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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

High theft risk

#18 most stolen in 2025

The Kia SPORTAGE was the #18 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,700 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Kia SPORTAGE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Kia SPORTAGE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,822

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1822

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SPORTAGE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2013 SPORTAGE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 449 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION KEY IS FAULTY. THIS VEHICLE ONLY STARTS WITH A PROXIMITY INTERFACE BETWEEN THE INTERIOR STARTER BUTTON AND THE REMOTE KEY WHICH IS ATTACHED TO A MANUAL KEY FOR THE DOORS. THE MANUAL DOOR KEY ATTACHES TO A KEY RING AND THE EXPENSIVE REOMTE KEY ATTACHES TO THE MANUAL KEY. ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: AFTER AROUND 13/14K MILES, THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE EXTREME NOISES LIKE VERY LOUD SANDPAPER AGAINST METAL WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR RAN A LITTLE BIT, THEY WOULD STOP BUT THEN IT PROGRESSED TO A CONSTANT EMBARASSING NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK THREE TIMES IN WHICH THEY EITHER C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION KEY IS FAULTY. THIS VEHICLE ONLY STARTS WITH A PROXIMITY INTERFACE BETWEEN THE INTERIOR STARTER BUTTON AND THE REMOTE KEY WHICH IS ATTACHED TO A MANUAL KEY FOR THE DOORS. THE MANUAL DOOR KEY ATTACHES TO A KEY RING AND THE EXPENSIVE REOMTE KEY ATTACHES TO THE MANUAL KEY. ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)