Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 37 of 160 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports12 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
160 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2021
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE MARCH 4TH OF 2021. HOWEVER, EVERY KIA DEALER I HAVE CONTACTED HAS SAID MY SPORTAGE DOESN'T HAVE ONE, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE MEETS THE PARAMETERS OF MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND MANUFACTURING DATE. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS SC206A AND THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 21V137. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUF…
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE MARCH 4TH OF 2021. HOWEVER, EVERY KIA DEALER I HAVE CONTACTED HAS SAID MY SPORTAGE DOESN'T HAVE ONE, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE MEETS THE PARAMETERS OF MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND MANUFACTURING DATE. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS SC206A AND THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 21V137. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN APRIL OF 2019 WHICH FALLS UNDER THE SPORTAGES AFFECTED. GIVEN THAT THIS RECALL IS A SERIOUS MATTER, I WOULD LIKE THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11405219
7,400 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH GREAT SPEED AND LUNGED THE CAR FORWARD INTO A CEMENT WALL. I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND GOING VERY SLOW WHEN IT DARTED FORWARD. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT NUMBER AND THE ELECTRONIC SENSORS
NHTSA ODI #11404541
11,600 miles · Mar 10, 2021
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A SMOKE ODOR WAS DETECTED AND ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES IGNITING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE BURST INT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A SMOKE ODOR WAS DETECTED AND ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES IGNITING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO SELL THE CONTACT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600. *DT
NHTSA ODI #11400126
2,000 miles · Jan 15, 2021
Electrical System
ANIMALS ARE CHEWING ON THE WIRES, CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN A CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD
NHTSA ODI #11388297
7,400 miles · Aug 25, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY INTO PENNSYLVANIA AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SON AND I HEAR A LOUD SOUND. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND STARTLED US BOTH. I QUICKLY LOOKED AROUND AND ABOVE ME I SEE A GAPING HOLE IN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND REALIZE THAT MY SON AND I ARE COVERED IN SHARDS OF GLAS…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY INTO PENNSYLVANIA AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SON AND I HEAR A LOUD SOUND. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND STARTLED US BOTH. I QUICKLY LOOKED AROUND AND ABOVE ME I SEE A GAPING HOLE IN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND REALIZE THAT MY SON AND I ARE COVERED IN SHARDS OF GLASS. I SHUT THE SUNROOF COVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALL MY INSURANCE AND PUT IN A CLAIM. I WAS STILL OVER 200 MILES FROM HOME AT THIS POINT WITH THE THREAT OF RAIN SO WE MADE OUR WAY HOME AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS ME THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. WHAT IF I HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE VERY LOUD SOUND? WHAT IF THAT ACCIDENT CAUSED A ROLL-OVER EVEN WITH SEAT BELTS WOULD MY SON AND I HAVE POTENTIALLY BECOME PROJECTILES? WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY KIA, HYUNDAI, AND ANY OF THE OTHER CARS THAT OFFER THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF? IS THE MANUFACTURER OF THESE SUNROOFS TO BLAME? I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 8 WEEKS- I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. IT'S GARAGE KEPT WHEN I'M NOT TRAVELING FOR WORK. I WILL NOW BE NERVOUS EVERY TIME I DRIVE EVEN AFTER REPAIR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THE MANUFACTURED SUNROOF WILL BE SAFER OR IF IT'S THE SAME AS WHAT I BOUGHT WITH THE CAR. IT'S UNSETTLING FOR ME BECAUSE I DRIVE AROUND 1000 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK AND SPEND SIGNIFICANT TIME IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11351094
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2020
Unknown Or Other
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS UNABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY MOVE UP DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE EYESIGHT MECHANISM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. A PERSON OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND BODY SIZE CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SINCE IT'S MOVEMENT RANGE WILL NOT ALLOW THE MIRROR TO MOVE UP. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11340983
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2020
Engine
MY CAR WOULDN'T START TWICE. WHEN I DID GET IT TO START, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE ON THE FREEWAY, THE GEARS DID NOT CHANGE UNTIL AFTER 45 MPH. THIS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE MY FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT AND I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 56 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11321812
10 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE FREEZING POINT OF THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID IS TOO HIGH. IT FROZE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT 6 FAHRENHEIT. WHICH MADE CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD IMPOSSIBLE AND DIMINISHING DRIVING VISIBILITY BECAUSE I COULDN'T USE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND IN ALL HONESTY…
Read full complaint
THE FREEZING POINT OF THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID IS TOO HIGH. IT FROZE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT 6 FAHRENHEIT. WHICH MADE CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD IMPOSSIBLE AND DIMINISHING DRIVING VISIBILITY BECAUSE I COULDN'T USE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND IN ALL HONESTY DOWNRIGHT SCARY. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAD 5 MILES WHEN I PICKED IT UP FROM BUDGET RENTAL CARS.
NHTSA ODI #11309969
9,000 miles · Dec 26, 2019
Service BrakesCrash
WHILE DRIVING/TURNING LEFT OUT OF A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ALL CARS STARTING MOVING. GOING ABOUT 10-12 MPH, THE CAR IN FRONT SLAMS ON BREAKS, THE SAFETY FEATURE ALERTED ME AS WELL BUT WHEN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEY WERE RESISTING. I COULD NOT BRAKE AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STOPPING. THE WEATHER WAS…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING/TURNING LEFT OUT OF A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ALL CARS STARTING MOVING. GOING ABOUT 10-12 MPH, THE CAR IN FRONT SLAMS ON BREAKS, THE SAFETY FEATURE ALERTED ME AS WELL BUT WHEN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEY WERE RESISTING. I COULD NOT BRAKE AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STOPPING. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND SUNNY THAT DAY. ABOUT 35 DEGREES.
NHTSA ODI #11291233
1,800 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Engine
KIA SENT ME A LETTER TELLING ME MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO A "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM" WHICH REQUIRES A PROGRAM UPDATE TO MY CARS ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS BECAUSE MY ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC BEARING FAILURE POSSIBLY DESTROYING THE ENGINE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE. THEY ARE NOT IMPR…
Read full complaint
KIA SENT ME A LETTER TELLING ME MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO A "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM" WHICH REQUIRES A PROGRAM UPDATE TO MY CARS ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS BECAUSE MY ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC BEARING FAILURE POSSIBLY DESTROYING THE ENGINE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE. THEY ARE NOT IMPROVING ANYTHING. THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND WON'T BE BY THIS SO CALLED 'PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM'. I ASKED KIA WHY THEY AREN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES AT THE FACTORY INSTEAD OF JUST ADDING AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO THE ECU? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. I DON'T WANT A BRAND NEW CAR THAT CAN POSSIBLY HAVE A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. I DON'T WANT A CAR THAT WARNS YOU THAT YOUR CAR IS ABOUT TO HAVE AN ENGINE FAILURE. THAT IS NOT A PROPER WAY AT ALL TO FIX A PROBLEM. YOU FIX A PROBLEM AT THE ENGINE FACTORY...NOT IN THE FIELD. I AM HAVING THIS PROGRAM UPDATE DONE TOMORROW AND THEN THE NEXT DAY I AM GETTING RID OF MY BRAND NEW 2020 KIA SPORTAGE AND BUYING A CAR, ANY CAR, THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ENGINE THAT COULD POSSIBLY BLOW UP AT ANY TIME. KIA HAVE PUT THE ONUS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE BACKS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. IT DOESN'T BELONG THERE. IT BELONGS ON KIA, NOT ME.
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 & remedy
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.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
AQ23002 · 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.
Illustration