Known APK problem

Kia Sportage III: steering

On the Kia Sportage III the APK inspector finds steering problems 4.6× as often as on cars of the same age: at 11–12 years 4.9%, against about 1.1% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Play or leaks in the steering rack, tie rods or power steering.

Repair indication: largea substantial repair; have a garage look first.

How to check it at the viewing

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Ask the seller: Has any work been done on the steering rack or tie rod ends?

By age

Share of inspected Kia Sportage IIIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	Sportage III	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
9 – 10 years	A	0.6%	0.4 – 1.1%	0.3%	1.8×	1,865
9 – 10 years	B	1.7%	1.2 – 2.4%	0.8%	2.1×	1,865
11 – 12 years	A	2.7%	2.3 – 3.3%	0.8%	3.6×	3,896
11 – 12 years	B	4.9%	4.2 – 5.6%	1.1%	4.6×	3,896
13 – 15 years	A	2.6%	2.3 – 2.9%	1.2%	2.1×	9,092
13 – 15 years	B	3.6%	3.2 – 4.0%	1.2%	3.1×	9,092
16+ years	A	1.4%	0.6 – 3.3%	1.6%	0.9×	352
16+ years	B	2.3%	1.2 – 4.4%	2.1%	1.1×	352

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 11–12 years

Model	Steering	Vs. national
Kia Sportage III	4.9%	4.6×
Jeep Renegade	2.8%	3.7×
Hyundai ix35	2.6%	3.5×
Mazda CX-5 I	5.7%	7.6×

Looking at a Kia Sportage III? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Kia Sportage IIIs of the same age.

All weak spots of the Kia Sportage III · Steering: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Kia Sportage III often have steering problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 11–12 years the inspector found a steering defect on 4.9% of inspected Kia Sportage IIIs, against about 1.1% of all cars of the same age (4.6×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the steering on a used Kia Sportage III?

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know