NHTSA has one open investigation covering this year: AQ23002 (audit query into the service brakes, hydraulic since Nov 2023). An open investigation is a question NHTSA is asking, not a finding of a defect.
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Recalls vs. other years
Its 2 recall campaigns ties for the fewest of the six model years we cover (2016–2021); the busiest has 4.
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the engine: 31% of the 134 on file. The top components are engine (41, of which 2 a fire), service brakes (33, of which 1 a fire) and electrical system (16, of which 1 a fire). Across all 134 reports, 8 describe a crash, 5 a fire and 7 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
10 complaints (7% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, a slow but steady flow of new reports, most often about the engine (6).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (2.4-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 23 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2016 SUVs we cover (median 25 mpg across 42 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 21 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,790 a year in the most efficient version and about $3,060 in the thirstiest.
Body class
SUV
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Complaint trends
134 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Engine50 (37%)
Brakes35 (26%)
Electrical16 (12%)
Other13 (10%)
Drivetrain7 (5%)
Visibility & lighting5 (4%)
Airbag4 (3%)
Steering4 (3%)
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
Engine — 37 complaints (28%)
Service brakes, hydraulic — 31 complaints (23%)
Unknown or other — 7 complaints (5%)
Electrical system — 7 complaints (5%)
Unknown or other,engine — 5 complaints (4%)
Engine,fuel/propulsion system — 3 complaints (2%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable.”
“I have a 2016 Kia Sportage Ex with under 71k miles. I’ve reach out the Kia headquarters about my engine in July because my engine has a blow by. My vehicle has never been in an accident and I always keep my engine clean.”
“Was driving all of a sudden, the car started knocking making noise, the oil light came on, the engine light came on and white smoke was coming from my tail pipe.”
Recalls
2 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module· 22V051000 · 2022-02-02
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings· 18V907000 · 2018-12-19
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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 Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Investigations
AQ23002 (AQ)Open
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Opened 2023-11-17
NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543,…
DP22003 (DP)Closed
Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
NHTSA summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complai…
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Engine and engine cooling31 documents(2018-03-02 – 2022-09-13)
Date
Type
Component
2022-09-13
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-20
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2022-03-01
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2021-12-23
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2021-09-01
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2021-03-11
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-11-12
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-07-01
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-06-09
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-04-30
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-04-09
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-04-02
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-03-24
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-03-19
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-03-19
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-03-19
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-03-17
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline
2020-03-17
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline
2020-03-16
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2020-02-14
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, electrical system
2019-12-12
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2019-11-07
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, electrical system:software
2019-11-07
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2019-09-30
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, electrical system
2019-06-10
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling
2019-04-10
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, electrical system:software
Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides
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