Model year record

2007 Kia Sportage recalls & problems

The 2007 Kia Sportage has 2 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (14 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints77filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

2007 Kia Sportage in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 1, 2013

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 13V114000980,377 vehicles

Problem: 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 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
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 transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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 may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Exterior lightingApr 17, 2009

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 09V130000139,844 vehicles

Problem: 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 THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2007 Kia Sportage 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.4%

2007 Kia Sportage NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sportage 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sportage 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sportage 4WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sportage 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sportage 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	14	5	0	5	44,700 mi
Electrical system	13	0	3	0	80,000 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Brake lights	12	0	0	0	66,787 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	11	0	0	0	61,511 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	10	0	0	0	73,500 mi
Service brakes	9	0	0	0	89,785 mi
Engine	8	0	1	0	97,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	7	2	0	1	87,342 mi
Seat belts	5	2	0	3	165,000 mi
StructureBody	4	1	0	0	85,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper	3	0	0	0	—
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
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
Aug 20, 2025
Engine
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, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,943.
Mar 13, 2025 · 148,943 miles
Service brakes
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 vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the electronic brake control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,967.
Sep 10, 2024 · 214,967 miles
EngineFire
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 was called. No one has looked at it to see what happened. Fire dept stated vehicle probably can't be fixed. We see there was a recall on 2007 vehicles. This is a 2007.
Aug 1, 2024 · 184,527 miles
Exterior lighting
The stop lamp switch was recalled & mine was replaced in 2010, but the part they replaced it with was faulty also and Iâve been driving without brake lights for years without knowing it. Then when I contacted KIA escalated customer âservice,â they double-talked and gaslit me.
May 23, 2023
Electrical systemFire
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 power box.Fire dept came they said it looks electrical and was the 2nd 2007 kia sportage they had put out today.
Apr 1, 2023
Suspension
Completely rusted out frame by back right suspension and caused suspension to collapse..
Jul 1, 2021
Steering
STEERING WHEEL JAMMED IN COLD WEATHER SPECIALLY IN MORNING, VERY HARD TO TURN
Sep 2, 2020 · 175,600 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.