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Vehicle Specification Lookup Tool🔍
Find and filter vehicles by technical specifications.
For example, add filters to find all 2025 vehicles with over 300 hp and a timing chain.
Over its lifespan the Kia Sportage has had engines utilizing either a timing chain or a timing belt. From 2011 to 2025 all Sportage engines have timing chains and from 1995 to 2010 all Sportage engines have timing belts. All the Sportage engines are interference.
Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the Kia Sportage.
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2025 | 2.0L, 2.4L, 2.5L | Timing Chain | Interference |
| 1995-2002, 2005-2010 | 2.0L, 2.7L | Timing Belt | Interference |
Note: Replacement intervals are broad recommendations and can be affected by age, weather conditions, running conditions etc. Check with the owner's manual/ manufacturer/ dealership.
Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.
The 2025 Kia Sportage engines all have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 1.6L I4 Turbo HEV 226 hp | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 1.6L I4 Turbo PHEV | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2024 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2023 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 1.6L Hybrid | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2022 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2021 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 240 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 181 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2020 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 240 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 181 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2019 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 240 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 181 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2018 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 240 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 181 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2017 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 240 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 181 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2016 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2015 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2014 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2013 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 176 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2012 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 176 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2011 Kia Sportage engines have a timing chain and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. Turbo 256 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. 176 hp (Theta II) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2010 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2009 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2008 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2007 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2006 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2005 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 140 hp (Beta II) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
| 2.7L V6 173 hp (Delta) | Timing Belt | Interference | Inspect At 60K, Replace At 80K |
All 2002 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 2001 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 2000 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 1999 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 1998 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 1997 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 1996 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 94 hp (FE SOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
All 1995 Kia Sportage engines have a timing belt and are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 94 hp (FE SOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 130 hp (FE DOHC) | Timing Belt | Interference | 60K Exc. Ca, 105K Ca |

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).
A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.
A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.
Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.
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