Is the 2022 Kia SPORTAGE reliable?

The 2022 Kia SPORTAGE has 60 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2022 Kia SPORTAGE?

Top problems: ENGINE (19 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2022 Kia SPORTAGE?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): TRAILER HITCHES. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Kia SPORTAGE?

The 2022 Kia SPORTAGE gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2022 Kia SPORTAGE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2022 Kia SPORTAGE is approximately $1,995/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.

2022 Kia SPORTAGE

Q: Is the 2022 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.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2022 Kia SPORTAGE has 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 193. The most common issue is engine problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: engine will not start consistently. will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). the car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 8 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

19 complaints

32%

• Engine will not start consistently. Will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. Electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). The car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.
• The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The side of the contact's home also caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire
• My vehicle starting shaking while idling, check engine light came on. Turned car off and went to restart with push button start vehicle just kept cranking for a min and wouldn’t start, stopped it and tried again after a min of cranking it started, went to drive had no pick up speed, ROM’s where all

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

“Engine will not start consistently. Will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. Electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). The car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2022 Kia SPORTAGE

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 51K mi · 5 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. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (1)

TRAILER HITCHES19/09/2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

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.

Notes: Kia Boys challenge affected pre-2022 keyless 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 2022 Kia SPORTAGE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/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 2022 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

$1,995

Full coverage / month

$166

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+19%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1995

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 2022 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

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 60 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Engine will not start consistently. Will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. Electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). The car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I was involved in a highway forward collision accident and the emergency braking, alert, and air bags never went off.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage LX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH to get onto the highway, the contact accelerated; however, the driver in front of her stopped abruptly. The contact crashed into the rear end of the driver in front. The forward collision sensor warning li
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)