NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
163 reports87,000 miles · Apr 28, 2023
EngineVehicle Speed Control
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated with the tachometer elevated to 5,000 RPM’s. The contact shifted into neutral(N) to correct the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not dia…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated with the tachometer elevated to 5,000 RPM’s. The contact shifted into neutral(N) to correct the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA ODI #11519453
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2023
EnginePower TrainStructure
My 2018 kia Sportage got stolen and never received a letter from kia to prevent this from happening knowingly kias of this year and model were being stolen and mine got stolen March 23, 2023 is there any help for me ?
NHTSA ODI #11518568
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2023
Engine
Engine failed while driving on busy highway at high speeds. Engine suddenly stopped, forcing us to coast to a stop on a narrow shoulder. Safety was impacted by the risk of impact by oncoming vehicles. Check engine lamp illuminated shortly before failure, giving little warning of a problem. Upon inspection of the engine, engine o…
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Engine failed while driving on busy highway at high speeds. Engine suddenly stopped, forcing us to coast to a stop on a narrow shoulder. Safety was impacted by the risk of impact by oncoming vehicles. Check engine lamp illuminated shortly before failure, giving little warning of a problem. Upon inspection of the engine, engine oil could be seen sprayed out from the front of the engine under the intake manifold area.
NHTSA ODI #11517464
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other
After an oil change on Jan 4, 2023, I have driven approximately 3500 miles. On April 12 I had to brake a little harder on a hill turn & the dash oil light came on & off. Took it to the garage to be checked. Analyzer said nothing was wrong. On April 13, it happened again at a stop light, immediately took it back to the garage to …
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After an oil change on Jan 4, 2023, I have driven approximately 3500 miles. On April 12 I had to brake a little harder on a hill turn & the dash oil light came on & off. Took it to the garage to be checked. Analyzer said nothing was wrong. On April 13, it happened again at a stop light, immediately took it back to the garage to be checked. The mechanic discovered there was ZERO OIL in the engine, even though there was no sign of any leakage. I've seen no visible sign of burning oil and no off odor. Had garage do a complete oil change, (even though it should go 5k between changes), and will check after 1k miles. Mileage at oil change was 72078 and today 4/14/23 is approximately 72100 Were no accident and is not running (but I'm watching) but if the engine had seized I was in the middle of the road, if on the Interstate it would have been bad.
NHTSA ODI #11517018
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2023
Electrical System
Anti-theft security software update fix. I have not received a recall or any information from Kia to have this repaired. I wish to have this repaired ASAP. Thank you.
NHTSA ODI #11509118
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2023
Trailer Hitches
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue however, no timeframe for part availability was available. The contact sta…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue however, no timeframe for part availability was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was concerned that he had to park the vehicle outside after hearing reports of vehicles being stolen using a USB cord. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11504959
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2023
Engine
Driving check engine light came on, reduced power. I purchased a warranty through dealer I purchased vehicle from took it there they ran code and it was P1326 knock sensor detection program. Had to go to Kia dealer. Had it towed and waiting to hear.
NHTSA ODI #11503572
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2023
Engine
Purchased this vehicle from CarMax on 7/2/22 with 32,888 miles. During the next 4 months, we had to add 5.5 quarts of oil as the oil light kept coming on. The car was virtually out of oil by the time the oil light came on. Researching on the internet showed that millions of Kia cars apparently have this issue due to defective e…
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Purchased this vehicle from CarMax on 7/2/22 with 32,888 miles. During the next 4 months, we had to add 5.5 quarts of oil as the oil light kept coming on. The car was virtually out of oil by the time the oil light came on. Researching on the internet showed that millions of Kia cars apparently have this issue due to defective engines. Took the car to Greenway Kia on November 28 with approximately 40,000 miles. They performed the required tests, which proved the engine was excessively burning oil. However, Kia denied the warranty claim due to a lack of historical oil change records, which obviously we can't produce since we aren't the original owner. Now I'm left with no recourse and a vehicle that isn't safe to drive. Given that most of the Kia engines of this vintage have this issue, they should be required to recall the vehicles rather than hide behind the small print in their warranty.
NHTSA ODI #11502397
37,000 miles · Jan 9, 2023
Power Train
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved loudly, and the RPM was fluctuating. The contact also stated that after shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact shifted back into park(P) to restart the vehicle. No warning lights we…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved loudly, and the RPM was fluctuating. The contact also stated that after shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact shifted back into park(P) to restart the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an unknown recall repair and the mechanic was made aware of the failure; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #11500798
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2022
Engine
We own a 2018 Kia Sportage. We never had any problems with it, UNTIL NOW. I Drove it to work one morning, and was on the way home and suddenly without warning, no lights, or indicators came on, and the car started to shake, and lost full throttle response in the MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. Immediately pulled over! Tried starting the car …
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We own a 2018 Kia Sportage. We never had any problems with it, UNTIL NOW. I Drove it to work one morning, and was on the way home and suddenly without warning, no lights, or indicators came on, and the car started to shake, and lost full throttle response in the MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. Immediately pulled over! Tried starting the car again, but the car was not cranking. We had to tow our car home, and was told our engine had to be replaced. We were checking out the engine, and notice there was a hole in it. Now keep in mind, we've never had any problems with our KIA until now. So it was odd. We checked the N.H.T.S.A and the KIA has 2 recalls, and we were not aware of them. We called the manufacturer to see if they called replaced the engine but they denied us. So we're stuck without a car.
NHTSA ODI #11499381
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
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.
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
1AQ23002 · 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.