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2018 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 112 unknown

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 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports12 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

163 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2019
Engine

CAR SHIFTS TO LOW MODE FROM 50-20MPH ON ITS OWN SLOW DECELERATION WHEN STOPPING SLOW ACCELERATION WHEN STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11289105

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2019
Electrical SystemCrashFire

THE ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. ALL ELECTRIC WIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR IT WAS PARK IN MY HOUSE .

NHTSA ODI #11288823

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019
Power Train

I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I'LL BE DRIVING ALONG, STEADILY WITH SPEED CONTROL SET AT 70 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE AND RPM GAUGE WILL REV UP DOWN SHIFT AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. MY SPEED DOESN'T CHANGE, NO LIGHTS GO ON, JUST THE REV-ING SOUND AND THE GAUGE GOES UP IT ALSO HAPPENING AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL, …

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I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I'LL BE DRIVING ALONG, STEADILY WITH SPEED CONTROL SET AT 70 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE AND RPM GAUGE WILL REV UP DOWN SHIFT AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. MY SPEED DOESN'T CHANGE, NO LIGHTS GO ON, JUST THE REV-ING SOUND AND THE GAUGE GOES UP IT ALSO HAPPENING AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL, IT'S VERY ALARMING TO ME. I'VE CHECKED WITH KIA AND THEY'RE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT STATE THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL OR ALERT AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THE PROBLEM IS, IT ALSO ENTERMITTING WILL HAVE NO ACCELERATION ON TAKE OFF. HAS BEEN BACK TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE , THE LAST TIME WAS TOLD BY GENERAL MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE , AND GENERAL MANAGER WAS VERY RUDE AND TRIED TO JUST SALE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I DECLINE HE GOT VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND SEEMED HE WAS NOT CONCERNED OF THE WARRANTY AND TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER THAT SOLD IT TO ME 600 MILES AWAY PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11256046

33,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

ALL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN HEADING CRASH

NHTSA ODI #11255041

16,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL BLOCKS FOR A WHILE AND CAN'T CONTROL THE CAR. BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS AND CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG. NOW HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. WROTE 3 TIMES TO COSTUMER SERVICE , NO ANSWER. SHOULD A FATAL ACCIDENT MUST OCCURRING TO TAKE ACTION? THIS HAPPENS WHILE TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #11254085

10,543 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Seats

PASSANGER SEAT HAD A L SHEAP BURN APEAR AFTER TURNNING ON THE SEAT WARMER.

NHTSA ODI #11243456

9,400 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

ADDENDUM # 2 FROM ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AND RESPONSE THROUGH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO OFFICE. 1ST ADDENDUM DATED AUGUST 9 2019. HUSBAND ARRIVED AT COURTESY KIA AND AS EXPECTED, NO LOANER VEHICLE. FINALLY I REACHED THE SALES MANAGER AND EXPLAINED HOW DISGUSTING IT WOULD BE FOR A DISABLED MAN WHO IS PAYING FOR A DEFECTIVE CAR AND PROMISE…

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ADDENDUM # 2 FROM ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AND RESPONSE THROUGH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO OFFICE. 1ST ADDENDUM DATED AUGUST 9 2019. HUSBAND ARRIVED AT COURTESY KIA AND AS EXPECTED, NO LOANER VEHICLE. FINALLY I REACHED THE SALES MANAGER AND EXPLAINED HOW DISGUSTING IT WOULD BE FOR A DISABLED MAN WHO IS PAYING FOR A DEFECTIVE CAR AND PROMISED A LOANER TO HAVE TO CALL UBER. HE AGREED TO LOAN ONE UNDER "TEST DRIVE" GUISE. FRIDAY 9,2019 HEARD NOTHING ABOUT OUR CAR. WE CALLED AT 4:30. FERNANDO STATED THAT THEY HAD IT IN BACK AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SATURDAY 10,2019..1:45, JENNY THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED AND STATED THAT OUR CAR WAS READY " WE PUT A KSDS WIRING HARNESS". NO FURTHER EXPLANATION. NOT EVEN VIA EMAIL. THE SERVICE TICKET ON STATES...ENGINE NOISE PASS, PUT WIRING HARNESS JUMPER. I LOOKED AT THE PROTOCOL ON NHTSA SITE. IT STATES CLEARLY. THE CAR MUST BE HOOKED UP TO INTERNET EVERYDAY AND A 21 STEP PROCEDURE TO CHECK FOR ENGINE NOISE. ON THE SERVICE TICKET, MILEAGE WAS IDENTICAL IN AND OUT. HOW DO YOU REALLY TEST A CAR WITHOUT DRIVING IT. THIS WAS A RUSH JOB ON THEIR PART... EMPLOYEES PRETENDING TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS MASSIVE DEFECT. THE 26 PAGE DOCUMENT ATTACHED SPEAKS VOLUMES. WE ASKED FOR A PHOTO OF THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS DAMAGED. THEY REFUSED, THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT IS BEING SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. MEANWHILE...TWO DISABLED PERSONS GET TO DRIVE IN FEAR, LIVE IN FEAR AND PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE ENGINE/CAR AND WAS SCAMMED BY CITRUS KIA, KIA MOTORS, KIA AMERICA. ATTORNEYS GENERAL, STATES ATTORNEYS, SENATORS, PLEASE HOLD KIA ACCOUNTABLE. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN FRONT OF CONGRESS ♿ PLANT CITY....PER THE DOCUMENT. EVERYDAY DOESN'T MEAN , DAY AND HALF.

NHTSA ODI #11243454

9,500 miles · Aug 8, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

ADDENDUM TO THE COMPLAINT DATED JANUARY THROUGH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO OFFICE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NHTSA DOT THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS OPEN AS TO THE "SOFTWARE UPGRADE", SHOULD BE LABELED RECALL AND INTO THE "THETA ENGINE", SEE ATTACHED. AS I WRITE THIS, MY DISABLED HUSBAND IS IN A TOW TRUCK WITH THE DRIVER BECAUSE HE WENT TO …

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ADDENDUM TO THE COMPLAINT DATED JANUARY THROUGH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO OFFICE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NHTSA DOT THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS OPEN AS TO THE "SOFTWARE UPGRADE", SHOULD BE LABELED RECALL AND INTO THE "THETA ENGINE", SEE ATTACHED. AS I WRITE THIS, MY DISABLED HUSBAND IS IN A TOW TRUCK WITH THE DRIVER BECAUSE HE WENT TO THE DOLLAR GENERAL STORE, TURNED THE CORNER ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY AND THE CAR LIMP MODE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR SHUT DOWN DANGEROUSLY SLOW. LUCKILY HE WAS NOT REAR-ENDED. THIS IS PATHETIC FOR KIA MOTORS, KIA AMERICA TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE BOUGHT BACK. THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. WE TOOK OUR CAR IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO TO COURTESY KIA FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEY SAID ALL WAS GOOD. CLEARLY IT IS NOT ! KIA DID US, TWO DISABLED AMERICANS WRONG. SOUL 1ST, SCAMMED INTO GOING MORE IN DEPTH BECAUSE SOUL WAS BAD... KNOWING THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT. THAT IS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND DEALER'S ARE COMPLICIT. PLEASE GET THESE CARS OFF OF THE RODE. IT HAS BEEN NOTED ON FORUMS THAT KIA IS PUTTING USED MOTORS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. WE ARE NOT SAFE, OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE. STATES ATTORNEYS, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S, SENATORS, ETC. HELP ALL OF US. WE LOST OUR HOME TO TOXIC DRYWALL , NOW THIS. PLANT CITY. ♿

NHTSA ODI #11242698

200,030 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD COME ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT'S GENERALLY NIGHT TIME. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON BECAUSE IF I CUT THEM ON MY CAR WON'T MOVE AND MY REAR VIEW CAMERA WILL NOT WORK. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS 05/18/2019. I WAS DRIVING IN THE EVENING HOURS TO PICK MY SON UP FROM WORK I …

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ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD COME ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT'S GENERALLY NIGHT TIME. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON BECAUSE IF I CUT THEM ON MY CAR WON'T MOVE AND MY REAR VIEW CAMERA WILL NOT WORK. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS 05/18/2019. I WAS DRIVING IN THE EVENING HOURS TO PICK MY SON UP FROM WORK I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE BEFORE IT STOPPED AND TURNED EVERYTHING OFF. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES CUT IT BACK ON AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS ON. I COULDN'T MOVE MY CAR I CUT THE HEADLINE OFF AND IT PROCEEDED TO MOVE. HOWEVER AT THAT TIME OF NIGHT I NEED LIGHTS. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAR TO BERWYN KIA IN BERWYN ILLINOIS AND WAS TOLD THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED, TOOK 30 MINUTES AND I WAS GONE. A WEEK OR TWO LATER I WAS RIGHT BACK WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A HARNESS PROBLEM AND HEY WOULD GET IT FIXED. MY CAR WAS HERE FOR A MONTH. I PICKED MY CAR UP AND 07/03/2019 IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAVE VIDEO FOOTAGE FOR EACH INCIDENT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH THEM AND I AM NOW BEING THE CAR BACK AGAIN ON 07/17/2019 BECAUSE ALL OF THE ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN!!

NHTSA ODI #11232675

32,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. NOTHING HIT THE CAR, NO CARS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DIDN'T GO UNDER ANY OVERPASS OR SIGNS, AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70'S AND A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. THE CENTER OF THE SU…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. NOTHING HIT THE CAR, NO CARS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DIDN'T GO UNDER ANY OVERPASS OR SIGNS, AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70'S AND A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. THE CENTER OF THE SUNROOF HAS A LARGE JAGGED HOLE IN IT, IT APPEARS THE GLASS IS BENT UPWARD AS IF IT BLOWN OUT, NOT IN. VERY FORTUNATE THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT WHICH WAS COVERED IN GLASS AND GLASS DUST. RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORT NUMEROUS TIMES. FORTUNATELY CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AND THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. I DO HAVE NUMEROUS PHOTOS OF THE ROOF.

NHTSA ODI #11230005

Official recalls

3

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2022

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.

21V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Mar 4, 2021

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.

18V907000 · Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 19, 2018

Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

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

1

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems