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2018 Kia Sportage Common Problems

Known issues & solutions

Model Years

All 200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

In the 12 months to November 2026, 596 2018 Sportage were advertised for sale. Most had 75,000 to 145,000 km on the odometer.

Known Sportage problems

Check which apply to a 2018 by its engine and series.

  1. 1 Oil use, piston slap and engine failure Theta II petrol, 2010 to 2021
  2. 2 DPF blockages on short trips 2.0 CRDi diesel, 2010 to 2025
  3. 3 Steering clunk from a worn coupling mainly SL, 2010 to 2015
  4. 4 Low-speed judder from the dual-clutch gearbox 1.6 T-GDi seven-speed DCT, 2022 to 2025
  5. 5 Peeling paint, mostly white cars QL, 2016 to 2021
  6. 6 Weak air conditioning QL, 2015 to 2017 builds

Money owing and write-offs on the Sportage

12% had money owing
19% were recorded as written off

Of about 370 used Kia Sportage checked on Carify since November 2023. Every car checked: 9% had money owing and 13% were written off.

These are cars people chose to check before buying, so they are not a share of every Sportage on the road. Money owing is what was registered against the car on the day it was checked.

Check a Sportage for money owing and write-offs

Recall notices

No recall notices linked to the 2018 Sportage yet.