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2013 Kia Sportage

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Sportage.

Body SUV

The 2013 Kia Sportage is an SUV that uses a 4.9‑qt oil capacity with 5W‑20 / 5W‑30 API‑rated lubricants. It records 380 total owner complaints, with the engine as the primary complaint area and three recall campaigns. Across the model’s history from 1995 to 2026, the 2013 figure falls between the lowest 4 complaints in 2003 and the highest 394 complaints in 2017, placing it in the middle of the reliability spectrum.

Model year2026 2025 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.8 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	65 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3488 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sportage of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2011 SX T-GDI

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	SX T-GDI 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	260 hp	AWD
2012	EX 2.4L I-4	9.10 sec	17.00 sec	176 hp	FWD
2012	EX 2.4L I-4	9.30 sec	17.30 sec	176 hp	AWD
2011	SX T-GDI 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.10 sec	14.70 sec	260 hp	AWD
2011	SX T-GDI 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	260 hp	AWD
2011	SX T-GDI 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	260 hp	FWD
2011	SX T-GDI 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	260 hp	FWD
2011	EX 2.4L I-4	8.60 sec	16.80 sec	176 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.2
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	87-94 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	36-40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	36-40 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	145-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	145-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.56-..68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing	8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.05-1.20 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.70-4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	124R

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47.0-53.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	72.0-74.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	1.25 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	135-156 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Compression	164-185 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure	22.8 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.001 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.023 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., 90

13–16 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

1	24.0-27.0 ft. lbs.	24–27 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees-95 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees-95 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	24.0-27.0 ft. lbs.	24–27 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees-95 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees-95 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
3	120-125

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-125

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Kia Sportage sits near the peak of the complaint and recall arc for this model line, with 380 complaints and only 3 recalls, a pattern that mirrors the high‑complaint years of 2011 (181 complaints, 6 recalls) and 2012 (392 complaints, 5 recalls). Compared to the previous year, 2012, the 2013 complaints drop slightly to 380 but the recalls decrease from 5 to 3, indicating a modest improvement in safety but a persistent customer dissatisfaction trend. The year‑to‑year trend shows a sharp rise from the early 2000s, a gradual decline through 2014‑2016, a spike again in 2017, and then a more stable, lower‑complaint period after 2018; 2013 falls on the tail of the early 2010s peak, suggesting that many of the issues were not yet fully resolved. The top complaint categories—Engine (262), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (13), Engine & Engine Cooling (11), and Unknown Or Other (11)—are consistent with the high complaint count, and the 5 crash complaints and 22 fire complaints add to the risk profile. Given the high complaint volume and the relatively low recall count, 2013 is a cautionary year; a buyer should seek a vehicle with a clean service history and consider a more recent model with lower complaint totals.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

167

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

380

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 22 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 380 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine262

Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Engine & Engine Cooling11

Unknown Or Other11

Power Train,Engine8

Power Train7

Electrical System6

Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

17V224000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 31/03/2017

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 167 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2311_TSB_R4	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
PI2103_OWNR_501	2026-03-10	Electrical System	PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2103 FLIGHT #501) - This document…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2311_OWNR_PC201	2025-12-19	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sportage. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 124R battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Sportage take?

4.9 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Sportage have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.