2013 Kia Sportage: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Kia Sportage? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 380 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2013 Kia Sportage Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2013 Kia Sportage trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2013 Kia Sportage Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2013 Kia Sportage SUV FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
17.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
17.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Kia Sportage has 380 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Sportage
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 380
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Kia Sportage Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Kia Sportage?
The 2013 Kia Sportage shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Kia Sportage
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including checking for any known issues like oil consumption or stalling.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, brake, and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on the engine and brakes.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including checking for any known issues like oil consumption or stalling.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, brake, and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on the engine and brakes.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Kia Sportage, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 380 NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Kia Sportage, the data suggests a high concentration of issues related to the engine, with 314 complaints. Other notable areas include brake system, electrical faults, and transmission problems. However, the confidence level is low, and these complaints are consumer-submitted, not confirmed defects.
- Engine problems account for the majority of complaints (314 out of 380).
- Brake system and electrical faults are the next most reported components, with 25 and 22 complaints respectively.
- There are 3 recalls associated with this model year.
- Engine Problems: 314 complaints, indicating a recurring theme of engine-related issues.
- Brake System: 25 complaints, suggesting potential braking concerns.
- Electrical Faults: 22 complaints, pointing to possible electrical system problems.
All 2013 Kia Sportage Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Sportage. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 314 | 2 | 19 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 27 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Brake System | 25 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 22 | — | 5 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 19 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Sportage. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kia’s denial of warranty coverage for the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Sportage. Per communication with customer care, Kia denied my claim on the basis of “excessive mileage between oil changes.” However…
Driver side door will not open from the outside. Handle no longer operates.
My engine failed due to the knock sensor recall a known issue on my 2013 Kia Sportage the recall is supposed to provide a lifetime warranty but I was denied coverage because the failure happened before I was able to perform the update as I was a new owner to the car and was unawa…
KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 o…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The c…
While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the f…
Have been denied replacement of 2013 Kia Engine due to insufficient records. The KSDS had been installed May 7, 2021. Was told because I did my own maintenance and I have receipts and dates when the maintenance was done reason for being denied. I used 5W 20 full synthetic motor o…
my vehicle, 2013/ SL Sportage recently suffered catastrophic engine failure. I received a renotification from Kia regarding the software updates. Barely a week, [XXX], my engine seized in traffic due to rod failure which the software update could have prevented according to Metro…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number…
See attached document for complaint.
I bought my car and then I received a letter stating that it had 1 recall. I called KIA to schedule the recall and they said there are 4 in total. I told them to get them all done because the closes KIA is about 45 min from my house. I took it in KIA called me said everything was…
Engine failure
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light …
In 2022, my 2013 Kia Sportage (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a spontaneous engine compartment fire while parked. I was unaware of any existing recalls at the time. The vehicle was stationary and turned off when the incident occurred. I extinguished the fire myself. There was no crash …
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while at a stop light, smoke was present from the vents inside the cabin. Later, while attempting to park more smoke was coming from under the hood and the neighbor also witnessed flames coming from the front of the ve…
I received a recall notification last year, I live about an hr and a half away from the nearest Kia dealer, so I wasn’t able to get my car in to be inspected until last spring at the Kia in Medford. Then I got another notice in the mail stating my vehicle was amongst the ones tha…
Problem with the BCM, my signal lights, headlights and beeper is not working. My power lock doesn't work nor my beeper
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND WENT AROUND A SEMI AND ALL OFTHE SUDDEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHE ALMOST GOT HIT BY THESEMI SHE HAD JUST PASSED. NEXT DAY TOWED IT TO KIA AND THE SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP BUT THATTHE ENGINEWAS NOT WARRENTY BECAUSE IT HAD NOT THROWN A KNOCK SENSEOR CO…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the infotainment system was intermittently inoperable.…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminat…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Kia Sportage.
2013 Kia Sportage Recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Sportage. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Kia Sportage Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Kia Sportage reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 380 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Kia Sportage shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Sportage?▾
#1: Engine Problems (314 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (27 complaints). #3: Brake System (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Kia Sportage?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Kia Sportage?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Kia Sportage, NHTSA complaints include 5 crash-related reports and 22 fire reports out of 380 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Kia Sportage. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Kia Sportage?▾
The 2013 Kia Sportage shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sportage reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Kia Sportage based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.