Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sportage vs Honda CR V
How the KIA Sportage and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Sportage vs Honda CR V: The Sportage averages 122 complaints per year over 10 years, while the CR-V averages 717. The CR-V's top issue is sticky steering (1,356 complaints), and the Sportage's is engine problems (513). Both have recalls, but the CR-V has one reported death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sportage or Honda CR V more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sportage
The KIA Sportage, over the past decade, has drawn 1,221 complaints, averaging 122 per year, with the engine being the most cited trouble spot. Owners describe issues like the car being stuck in gear despite the shifter in park, and repeated dealer visits for unresolved problems. Electrical gremlins and brake complaints, including rotor resurfacing and a defective brake booster, also appear. While no deaths are reported, the pattern suggests a vehicle that may require frequent dealer attention for drivetrain and electronic issues.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V has a much higher complaint volume—7,174 over ten years, or 717 per year—but this reflects its popularity and a wide range of issues. The top problem areas are steering, engine, forward collision avoidance, electrical, and fuel systems. Owners report a dangerous 'sticky steering' defect at highway speeds, sudden loss of power with warning lights, and phantom braking from the collision system. These are serious safety-related complaints, including one reported death, indicating that while the CR-V is generally reliable, certain model years have notable defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sportage | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,221 Better | 7,174 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 40 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 82 Better | 244 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 122.1 Better | 717.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 70 Better | 214 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Sportage
- 01ENGINE513
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER247
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM212
- 04SERVICE BRAKES111
- 05POWER TRAIN102
Owners report the engine can get stuck in gear even when the shifter is in park, and some have invoked lemon law due to persistent defects. This suggests potential transmission or engine control issues that could leave you stranded or require major repairs.
The instrument cluster may randomly go into a 'system check' mode while driving, blanking out speed and tachometer for several seconds. This can be disorienting and may indicate an intermittent electrical fault.
Brake issues include rotors that need resurfacing early (around 6,900 miles) and a reported defective brake booster causing complete brake failure. Such problems directly compromise stopping ability and demand immediate attention.
“We were getting in our car to drive home from a restaurant. We attempted to start our car like any other day, and the car started. However, our car was stuck in gear, it was in parking but also not in parking. The car was not moving, the gear was in “park”, t…”
“This is an issue of nonconformity according the Florida Lemon Law: "Florida's Lemon Law protects consumers who buy or lease new or demonstrator vehicles with persistent, significant defects, known as nonconformities, within the first 24 months of ownership."…”
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,356
- 02ENGINE1,328
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,315
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,025
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM989
The most common complaint is 'sticky steering' at highway speeds, where the wheel sticks and then releases, causing a jerk. This is a known safety hazard and is under NHTSA investigation, so test drive at speed to feel for any hesitation.
Some owners report the check engine light flashing and the car entering limp mode, losing power while driving. This can be frightening and dangerous, especially in traffic, and may point to fuel or ignition system faults.
Phantom braking is a significant issue: the system suddenly applies brakes for no reason, even at low speeds, which can cause rear-end collisions. This is a critical safety feature that may malfunction.
“While driving my 2022 Honda CRV at highway speeds and at operating temperature, the steering sticks and/or pauses then releases causing the steering to jerk back in the opposite direction. This creates a major safety issue while driving on the highway and can…”
“My 2022 Honda CR-V experiences the "sticky steering" defect that has been widely reported and is currently under NHTSA investigation (EA23003). While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently locks, requiring increased effort to move the wh…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Sportage — 25 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
The risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC31…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with th…
The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
Buyer analysis
KIA Sportage or Honda CR V: which should you buy?
The KIA Sportage has fewer complaints per year (122 vs. 717), but the CR-V's higher volume is partly due to its larger sales and a specific sticky steering issue. In practice, the Sportage may have more frequent minor annoyances, while the CR-V's problems are more safety-critical. Neither is clearly 'better'—it depends on which failure modes you find more tolerable.
Key differences
- The CR-V has a widely reported sticky steering defect that can cause sudden jerks at highway speeds, while the Sportage's steering is not a top complaint.
- The Sportage has more engine-related complaints (513) than the CR-V (1,328) relative to its total, but the CR-V's engine issues include sudden power loss and limp mode.
- The CR-V's forward collision avoidance system is prone to phantom braking, a feature not highlighted in Sportage complaints.
- The Sportage has brake complaints like rotor resurfacing and booster failure, while the CR-V's brake issues are less prominent in the data.
- Check for any hesitation or abnormal behavior when shifting from park to drive, as owners report the car getting stuck in gear.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, including rotors and booster, for signs of premature wear or failure.
- Test drive at highway speeds and gently turn the wheel to feel for any stickiness or catching, which indicates the sticky steering defect.
- Be alert for any unexpected braking events during a test drive, especially in low-speed traffic, which could signal phantom braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls and prior complaints.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- For the CR-V, specifically ask about any steering column replacements or updates related to the sticky steering recall.
- For the Sportage, verify that all software updates for the engine and transmission are current.
- Take an extended test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate real-world conditions.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Sportage | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 127 |
| 2025 | 49 | 243 |
| 2024 | 68 | 383 |
| 2023 | 187 | 516 |
| 2022 | 46 | 253 |
| 2021 | 50 | 326 |
| 2020 | 159 | 351 |
| 2019 | 69 | 1088 |
| 2018 | 162 | 2128 |
| 2017 | 399 | 1759 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Sportage or Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sportage vs Honda CR V
- KIA Sportage total complaints
- 1,221
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 7,174
- KIA Sportage total recalls
- 25
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- KIA Sportage avg complaints/year
- 122.1
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 717.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sportage
- KIA Sportage top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING