Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Kia Sportage, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 12% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 8% |
| Engine | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 complaint: Suspension
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,
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 wa
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 escala
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Completely rusted out frame by back right suspension and caused suspension to collapse..
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
STEERING WHEEL JAMMED IN COLD WEATHER SPECIALLY IN MORNING, VERY HARD TO TURN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Kia Sportage. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 TH
Risk: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: 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 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 201
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 trans
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 9 of them (12%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.