2020 Kia Sportage: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

The most notable item in the public record for the 2020 Kia Sportage is an open federal investigation, AQ23002, examining the service brakes. An open investigation means regulators are asking a question about a pattern they've observed -- it is not a finding of a defect, and it has not resulted in a recall. A second, related investigation, DP22003, concerning the engine, has been closed. Separately, the Sportage was subject to two recall campaigns for this model year: 21V137000, tied to the service brakes, hydraulic system, with a stated risk of an engine compartment fire, and 22V703000, involving trailer hitches, also citing a fire risk while parked or driving. With only two campaigns covering two different systems, this record does not show a cluster concentrated in one area. Owner complaints submitted to NHTSA lean heavily toward the engine, which accounts for 70 of 159 complaints, followed by a general "other" category at 37 and electrical complaints at 19. This concentration in engine-related complaints is worth noting, though complaint counts reflect how often owners chose to report an issue, not a confirmed rate of mechanical failure across the model. Manufacturer service bulletins, which are separate from recalls and reflect repair guidance issued to dealers rather than confirmed defects, were most concentrated in the electrical system, with 25 of 70 bulletins, followed by engine and engine cooling at 16.

160 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• ENGINE — 57 complaints (36%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 17 complaints (11%)
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 9 complaints (6%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 7 complaints (4%)
• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — 6 complaints (4%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — 6 complaints (4%)

TRAILER HITCHES

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Opened 2023-11-17

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,…

ENGINE

Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12

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…

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