NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
131 reports82,000 miles · Apr 17, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven and while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the f…
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven and while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11583566
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2024
Engine
My car shut off in the middle of getting off a highway ramp. Completely shut down, had to push it to the side of the road in the middle of an off ramp/intersection.
NHTSA ODI #11583210
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2024
Engine
Engine started to knock started having power loss and is no longer able to drive
NHTSA ODI #11579831
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2024
Engine
I brought my 2016 Kia Sportage into Spitzer Kia because when stopped and in drive with my foot on the brake the vehicle shakes/vibrates a little. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. I had a tune up approximately a month earlier. Advisor James Martin at Kia said it needed a tune up because the previous tune up wasn't official Kia par…
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I brought my 2016 Kia Sportage into Spitzer Kia because when stopped and in drive with my foot on the brake the vehicle shakes/vibrates a little. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. I had a tune up approximately a month earlier. Advisor James Martin at Kia said it needed a tune up because the previous tune up wasn't official Kia parts. I told James I need the old parts back so I can bring them back to the previous mechanic for reimbursement, James said okay. They did the tune up and the issue was still present. James said Kia will have a master technician service the vehicle. James called me back late on a Monday night and told me the cylinder dry and wet readings and will call me back first thing Tuesday morning with an estimate, he was on speaker phone so me and my wife heard what he said but weren't able to write anything down at that time. I called several times on Tuesday to eventually find out James was off and Kim was supposed to call me back but never did. I called Wednesday morning and spoke with James and he advised me of only the dry reading and stated that there was no record of the wet but they did go up. I advised him he told me the wet readings and he claimed he didn't. WHICH IS A LIE. He eventually said that the engine needs to be replaced. This is a recalled engine with less than 100k miles on it. I have EVERY maintenance record on this vehicle and there is no reason the engine should need to be replaced. Kia needs to step up and take care of their issues with their engines. No reason at all an engine should last less than 100k with a vehicle extremely well maintained. If you need all vehicle maintenance records please contact me and I can scan the hundreds of paperwork for you.
NHTSA ODI #11566199
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
When coming to a stop and brake applied car starts to vibrate. Local mechanic who looked at the vehicle believes it's the torque converter. The miles are high but it's under a the recall new engine, which technically has only approximately 60k.
NHTSA ODI #11561565
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
Power TrainStructureVisibility
Blind spot. Numerous times the driver mirror is large and close to the window /door frame causing a huge blind spot as to where I've almost hit people crossing in a crosswalk, mostly by making a left turn.
NHTSA ODI #11559800
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other
Vehicle recall was addressed, yet problem persisted which was an engine oil leak/burn. Oil continued to leak/burn and caused engine problems. Cylinder 1 misfire was most recent, lost of acceleration, a/c failure, burning of engine coolant. All regular maintenance has been performed, 2nd set of new spark plugs within 12 months we…
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Vehicle recall was addressed, yet problem persisted which was an engine oil leak/burn. Oil continued to leak/burn and caused engine problems. Cylinder 1 misfire was most recent, lost of acceleration, a/c failure, burning of engine coolant. All regular maintenance has been performed, 2nd set of new spark plugs within 12 months were installed a week ago. I have spent over $500 in the last few months alone trying to "maintain" my vehicle. Mechanic also stated these failures could lead to catalytic converter damage/failure. I have asked dealership & Kia separately to facilitate this repair before total failure to ensure my safety. They refused. Vehicle finally had the engine failure while driving in the center lane at highway speed on I95, this put my life in danger and Kia did not seem to think that was important. My vehicle had to be towed to a dealership at my expense, a rental car is at my expense and I have no ETA on when it would even go through diagnostic testing. I feel that Kia owes me a full system repair and ensures that the vehicle is up to date and safe to drive.
NHTSA ODI #11546879
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2023
EnginePower Train
This car was driven by a 17 year old high school student. Car with high oil consumption engine resulting in engine seizure 4/2022. Engine unseized and consumption of 1qt oil every 1,000 miles deemed "within normal limits" per Kia of America policy (Ganley Kia in Mentor Ohio). Kia corporate offices contacted with no resolution. F…
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This car was driven by a 17 year old high school student. Car with high oil consumption engine resulting in engine seizure 4/2022. Engine unseized and consumption of 1qt oil every 1,000 miles deemed "within normal limits" per Kia of America policy (Ganley Kia in Mentor Ohio). Kia corporate offices contacted with no resolution. From 4/2022 to 8/2023, car was driven only 2.5 non freeway miles to high school and home. It continued to consume oil resulting in adding and checking oil weekly despite low mileage driving. The car finally developed a lower engine knock at complete engine failure 8/2023. We sold it to [XXX] for $700.00. The manufacturer (Kia) of the car is fully aware of the defective engine design, the high oil consumption, and potential eventual engine failure. The car has poor resale and trade in value. Kia should be investigated for safety and ethical concerns. We were lucky there was not a fire, an accident, or a fatality. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11544642
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stopped at a stop sign and the vehicle became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manu…
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stopped at a stop sign and the vehicle became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11544056
106,000 miles · Aug 9, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact’s son owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to accelerate, lost motive power, and stalled. The contact was unaware if a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The …
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The contact’s son owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to accelerate, lost motive power, and stalled. The contact was unaware if a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that there was rod bearing failure and that the catalytic convertor had melted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the knock sensor update was not completed. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #11537462
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
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, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
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 complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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