2021 Kia Sportage problems and recalls

Owners filed 21 complaints on the 2021 Kia Sportage in the last three full years, out of 50 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

50
Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
4
Injuries
98.0
Severity index

Severity index 98.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 98.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 7 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 92% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 21 complaints (42.0%)21 42%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 14 complaints (28.0%)14 28%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 6 complaints (12.0%)6 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 6 complaints (12.0%)6 12%Power TrainPower Train: 3 complaints (6.0%)3 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 2 complaints (4.0%)2 4%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 2 complaints (4.0%)2 4%Trailer HitchesTrailer Hitches: 2 complaints (4.0%)2 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2142.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1428.0%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING612.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM612.0%
POWER TRAIN36.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24.0%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING24.0%
TRAILER HITCHES24.0%

Complaints filed per year

08162020: 12021: 62022: 62023: 52024: 42025: 122026: 16 (partial year)2021222324252616
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20201
20216
20226
20235
20244
202512
2026 (year to date)16
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (21 against 13).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V13700004/03/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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.
22V70300019/09/2022TRAILER HITCHESKia 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 d

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 2026-08-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.