2018 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data
Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team
Before you buy a 2018 Sportage
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Open investigation
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
3 recall campaigns put the 2018 Sportage 2nd of the six model years we cover (2016–2021), well above the model's typical year (2).
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the engine: 39% of the 165 on file. The top components are engine (64, of which 7 a fire and 1 an injury), electrical system (24, of which 1 mentions a crash and 3 a fire) and power train (16). Across all 165 reports, 7 describe a crash, 12 a fire and 4 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
25 complaints (15% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the engine (14).
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Changes from 2017
EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2017; one recall campaign names one of the two years and not the other (trailer hitches).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (2.4-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 26 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2018 SUVs we cover (median 25 mpg across 51 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 $2,470 a year in the most efficient version and about $3,060 in the thirstiest.
Complaint trends
165 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
- Engine — 58 complaints (35%)
- Unknown or other — 11 complaints (7%)
- Electrical system — 11 complaints (7%)
- Engine,fuel/propulsion system — 5 complaints (3%)
- Power train — 5 complaints (3%)
- Electrical system,engine — 4 complaints (2%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“The vehicle suffered a primary connecting rod bearing failure covered under the Theta II class action warranty campaign. A brand-new warranty engine long-block was installed by an authorized dealership.”
“I have spent two months trying to get my keys re-programmed to the system and the dealership informed me that the system has been "bypassed" somehow with no solution.”
“I started my car and it started shaking violently, and would jolt back and forth, I would be on the highway and the speed would decrease rapidly and overheat slightly to pick up speed”
Recalls
3 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
Trailer hitches
· 22V703000 · 2022-09-19
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
· 21V137000 · 2021-03-04
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021.
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
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,…
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Engine and engine cooling 37 documents (2017-12-19 – 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 |
| 2021-11-04 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2021-11-04 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system, electrical system: instrument clu… |
| 2021-09-01 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-03-11 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-01-27 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment |
| 2020-11-12 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-11-04 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, steering, electrical system |
| 2020-07-27 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-07-01 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-06-09 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-05-26 | 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 |
| 2020-03-16 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-02-14 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
| 2020-01-15 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, electri… |
| 2019-12-12 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-11-07 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-09-30 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
| 2019-07-11 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-06-10 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-04-16 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-04-10 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system:software |
| 2019-04-10 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
| 2019-04-05 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
| 2019-01-31 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-01-28 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-01-25 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-12-05 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-11-30 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-03-02 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2017-12-19 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
Electrical system 24 documents (2018-01-23 – 2024-06-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-06 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2024-03-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2023-07-31 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-07-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system, electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module |
| 2023-07-06 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-06-26 | service bulletin | Electrical system, seat belts |
| 2023-05-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-03-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-02-03 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-01-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-01-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-09-16 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-11-25 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling, steering |
| 2020-10-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2020-08-04 | service bulletin | Electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-06-11 | service bulletin | Electrical system, seat belts |
| 2019-05-10 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-12-20 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-06-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-06-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-02-02 | service bulletin | Electrical system, electrical system:software |
| 2018-01-25 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2018-01-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system, electrical system:software |
| 2018-01-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system, electrical system:software |
Equipment 8 documents (2018-01-23 – 2020-08-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-25 | service bulletin | Equipment, service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper |
| 2020-06-04 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system, engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-12-17 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2018-08-31 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2018-06-08 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2018-06-08 | service bulletin | Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018-05-22 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system |
| 2018-01-23 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system:software |
Power train 5 documents (2017-12-06 – 2024-05-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-16 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2022-11-18 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2019-11-08 | service bulletin | Power train, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018-07-16 | service bulletin | Power train, engine, electrical system:software |
| 2017-12-06 | service bulletin | Power train |
Electrical system:software 5 documents (2017-11-13 – 2019-11-07)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-11-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-04-03 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-07-25 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, engine… |
| 2018-01-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, electrical system |
| 2017-11-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. |
Steering 4 documents (2019-10-15 – 2023-09-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-25 | service bulletin | Steering, suspension, power train |
| 2021-10-05 | service bulletin | Steering |
| 2021-03-25 | service bulletin | Steering |
| 2019-10-15 | service bulletin | Steering |
Engine 3 documents (2018-07-16 – 2022-01-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-06 | service bulletin | Engine, engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication |
| 2019-02-11 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2018-07-16 | service bulletin | Engine, electrical system:software |
Equipment adaptive/mobility 3 documents (2019-11-26 – 2021-12-21)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-21 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility, engine and engine cooling, equipment |
| 2021-08-24 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system, lane departure, forward collisi… |
| 2019-11-26 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility, steering, engine and engine cooling |
Show all 26 categories
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner 3 documents (2017-10-26 – 2019-08-30)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-08-30 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2019-07-30 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, equipment |
| 2017-10-26 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
Structure 2 documents (2021-09-13 – 2022-04-07)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-07 | service bulletin | Structure |
| 2021-09-13 | service bulletin | Structure, exterior lighting |
Forward collision avoidance 2 documents (2021-04-28 – 2021-08-03)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-03 | service bulletin | Forward collision avoidance, electrical system |
| 2021-04-28 | service bulletin | Forward collision avoidance |
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control 2 documents (2017-12-14 – 2018-01-23)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-23 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control |
| 2017-12-14 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control |
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module 1 document (2023-08-07)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module, electrical system |
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices 1 document (2023-01-31)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-31 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices, electrical system |
Vehicle speed control 1 document (2021-12-02)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-02 | service bulletin | Vehicle speed control, equipment adaptive/mobility, lane departure, forward col… |
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system 1 document (2020-03-17)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-17 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:cooling system |
Exterior lighting 1 document (2020-01-21)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-01-21 | service bulletin | Exterior lighting |
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 1 document (2019-04-05)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-04-05 | service bulletin | Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), power train |
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer 1 document (2019-02-15)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-02-15 | service bulletin | Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, visibility |
Fuel system 1 document (2019-01-18)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-01-18 | service bulletin | Fuel system, gasoline |
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system 1 document (2018-04-17)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-17 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system |
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock 1 document (2018-03-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-29 | service bulletin | Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock, back over prevention |
Electronic stability control (ESC) 1 document (2018-03-01)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-01 | service bulletin | Electronic stability control (ESC), back over prevention |
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft 1 document (2018-02-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-16 | service bulletin | Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft |
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) 1 document (2018-01-12)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-12 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) |
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly 1 document (2017-11-02)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-02 | service bulletin | Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly |
112 communications on file, grouped into 26 categories.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FE FWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 25 | 23 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 |
| Sportage FE AWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 25 | 22 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Safety ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2018 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
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