2021 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data
Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team
Before you buy a 2021 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
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 54 on file. The top components are engine (17, of which 2 a fire), engine and engine cooling (7, of which 1 a fire and 1 an injury) and power train (4). Across all 54 reports, 3 describe a crash, 7 a fire and 2 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
21 complaints (39% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the engine (12).
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Changes from 2020
On the public record the 2021 matches the 2020: EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types, and the same recall campaigns cover both years.
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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 2021 SUVs we cover (median 27 mpg across 46 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
54 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
- Engine — 17 complaints (31%)
- Unknown or other — 11 complaints (20%)
- Engine and engine cooling — 4 complaints (7%)
- Trailer hitches — 2 complaints (4%)
- Unknown or other,engine — 2 complaints (4%)
- Power train,engine,fuel/propulsion system — 1 complaint (2%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“The Kia never showed an engine light error or gave a code stating there was a problem. We Change the oil every 3000 miles. There was no oil on the dip stick and the oil was extremely low. The engine seized up today.”
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine.”
“Severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 Kia Sportage. A physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident.”
Recalls
2 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.
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,…
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.
Electrical system 22 documents (2020-09-24 – 2024-06-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-06 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2024-02-09 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 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 |
| 2023-05-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2023-04-07 | 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 |
| 2022-08-16 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2022-07-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-09-10 | service bulletin | Electrical system, lane departure, equipment, forward collision avoidance |
| 2021-08-03 | service bulletin | Electrical system, forward collision avoidance |
| 2021-06-09 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-04-08 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-03-12 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-03-11 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2020-10-26 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2020-10-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2020-09-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
Engine and engine cooling 4 documents (2020-07-27 – 2022-09-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-09-16 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, electrical system |
| 2021-02-03 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-10-14 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020-07-27 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
Power train 3 documents (2021-05-22 – 2024-05-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-16 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2022-11-18 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2021-05-22 | service bulletin | Power train, equipment |
Structure 3 documents (2021-07-30 – 2022-04-07)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-07 | service bulletin | Structure |
| 2021-09-13 | service bulletin | Structure, exterior lighting |
| 2021-07-30 | service bulletin | Structure |
Vehicle speed control 2 documents (2021-08-24 – 2021-12-02)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-02 | service bulletin | Vehicle speed control, electrical system, lane departure, equipment adaptive/mo… |
| 2021-08-24 | service bulletin | Vehicle speed control, equipment adaptive/mobility, forward collision avoidance… |
Steering 2 documents (2021-03-25 – 2021-10-05)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-10-05 | service bulletin | Steering |
| 2021-03-25 | service bulletin | Steering |
Forward collision avoidance 2 documents (2021-04-28 – 2021-08-23)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-23 | service bulletin | Forward collision avoidance, lane departure, electrical system |
| 2021-04-28 | service bulletin | Forward collision avoidance |
Suspension 1 document (2023-09-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-25 | service bulletin | Suspension, steering, power train |
Show all 15 categories
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 |
Exterior lighting 1 document (2023-06-20)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-20 | service bulletin | Exterior lighting, electrical system:wiring, electrical system, electrical syst… |
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 |
Seats 1 document (2022-08-10)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-08-10 | service bulletin | Seats, electrical system |
Equipment 1 document (2021-02-03)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-03 | service bulletin | Equipment, forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera, electrical syst… |
Equipment adaptive/mobility 1 document (2020-11-30)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-30 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment, lane departure: sensing system: camera,… |
Service brakes 1 document (2020-08-25)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-25 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, equipment |
46 communications on file, grouped into 15 categories.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.4L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 25 | 23 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 |
Safety ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 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