Kia Sportage Engine problems
349 of the 949 complaints about the Kia Sportage (36.8%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.7× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (94, 58% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (9). 138 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 84 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “engine”, “oil”, “consumption”, “check” and “light”. 28 of these reports (8.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 7 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 138 · Previous 12 months: 84
Common terms in reports
- engine264
- oil138
- consumption47
- check102
- light136
- change62
What owners report
1. Component or System Malfunction & Availability Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire).
Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer Reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident. Available for Inspection: No.
While driving 8/24/2026 on interstate engine light started flashing then staues on and car decelerated and knocking noise.Got to closest parking lot. Car would no longer move and turned it off. Contacted a tow.
Purchased my Kia on the XXX then on the XXX, My engine light came on and my car went into Safety Mode . I at once took it to Auto Zone and their test came back with P1326 Knock signal range / performance.
2018 Kia Sportage (78,051 miles). Vehicle is part of the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement due to severe internal engine defects.
While driving on the expressway posted speed 65 was doing 70, left lane driving, suddenly my check engine light started flashing, my oil light came on and my vehicle started slowing down.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Kia Sportage
Related reading
- Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Kia Sportage?
349 of the 949 complaints about the Kia Sportage (36.8%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.7× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Kia Sportage model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (94, 58% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (9).
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage Engine problems?
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.