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Before you buy a used Kia Sportage (III).

2010–2015 · Petrol / Diesel · 2 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Kia Sportage (III), real photo of this generation
M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.

1.6 / 2.0

Petrol

1.7 / 2.0 CRDi

Diesel

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Kia Sportage (III)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.6 / 2.0PetrolFewest documented41 with conditions3
1.7 / 2.0 CRDiDiesel51 with conditions3

According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.6 / 2.0 (Petrol).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Kia dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Kia airbag and seat-belt recalls (2002–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Kia brake recalls (2003–2024)Brakes

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Kia electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2010–2026)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 6 checked

Gearbox

  • Look out for: The 4x4 system does not work; Clutch fault or gearbox oil leak (from 01/08/2014 to 28/08/2014); Differential noise on the automatic 4x4 (up to 30/11/2015); Manual gearbox noise; Fault light on with the 6-speed automatic

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Suspension and steering

  • Look out for: Rear axle noise (up to 25/08/2011); Rear springs sagging (up to 25/10/2012); Steering motor noise; Front axle noise (up to 25/11/2013); Front wheel bearing noise (up to 29/04/2014); Steering column noise; Tyre pressure light on (up to 01/07/2014); Front suspension noise (up to 03/11/2011)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Bodywork

  • Look out for: Lacquer damage on the 17-inch alloy wheels (up to 13/03/2012); Rear fog light flaking (up to 26/03/2015); Reversing camera display fault (up to 21/04/2015)

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Engine

  • Look out for: Vacuum pump failure (up to 30/04/2011); Engine warning light on (up to 02/05/2012); Engine warning light on, Euro 6 version (from 02/03/2015 to 01/12/2015); [1.7 /2.0 CRDi] Engine will not start (until the end of production); [1.7 /2.0 CRDi] Clutch and flywheel wear; [2.0 CRDi] Loss of power (up to 23/10/2013); [2.0 CRDi] Engine warning light on; [2.0 CRDi] Lack of power; Battery warning light on

    Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

  • Look out for: Metallic engine knock that rises with revs, oil-pressure warning, loss of power and, in the worst case, a broken connecting rod with an oil leak and fire risk.

    Ask them to check: Ask Hyundai or Kia by VIN about a campaign or KSDS update; with knocking or the oil warning, stop and do not keep driving; check the oil level often.

  • Look out for: Engine noises and vibration, loss of power and, in serious cases, a seized engine or damaged head gasket.

    Ask them to check: Check the build date, listen for noises and vibration and check the history; if it makes noise, go to the garage straight away.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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