2016 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

46% of owner complaints on the 2016 Kia Sportage related to the Engine (62 of 134).

134
Complaints
2
Recalls
8
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
8
Injuries
79.9
Severity index

Severity index 79.9 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 79.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 38 of 142 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 73% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 62 complaints (46.3%)62 46%Service BrakesService Brakes: 38 complaints (28.4%)38 28%HydraulicHydraulic: 31 complaints (23.1%)31 23%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 18 complaints (13.4%)18 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 17 complaints (12.7%)17 13%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 9 complaints (6.7%)9 7%Power TrainPower Train: 8 complaints (6.0%)8 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 7 complaints (5.2%)7 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE6246.3%
SERVICE BRAKES3828.4%
HYDRAULIC3123.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1813.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1712.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM96.7%
POWER TRAIN86.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL75.2%

Complaints filed per year

028562016: 22017: 72018: 42019: 162020: 42021: 72022: 562023: 112024: 102025: 82026: 9 (partial year)161718192021225623242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20162
20177
20184
201916
20204
20217
202256
202311
202410
20258
2026 (year to date)9
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (29 against 67).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
22V05100002/02/2022SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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.

Other Kia Sportage model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-10-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.