2021 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 50 complaints (42.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine: 21; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Trailer Hitches: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 16 |
2020: 1; 2021: 6; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 12; 2026: 16
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11511600 · 2023-03-13 (March 13, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the vehicle lost motive power motive and stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11511600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11697338 · 2025-11-04 (November 4, 2025)
I have experienced chronic and excessive engine oil consumption in my 2021 Kia Sportage S with the 2.4 L Theta II engine. Since around 80,000 miles, I have had to add oil every 2 weeks between oil changes to prevent the engine from running low. My vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement, estimated at $10,000. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes (documented by Express Oil Change in Pinson, AL, with service records at 81,520 mi, 88,215 mi, 94,153 mi, 96,970 mi, 98,902 mi, 101,522 mi, and 105,273 mi), the vehicle continues to l…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11697338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477673 · 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)
My Kia can be easily broken into and stolen. In January of this year I was in Denver for military assignment and I locked my car at night however a their was able to break into my car by popping off the driver side lock and then basically hot wiring the car. Eventually I got my car back after it was repaired but then again someone broke back Into my car using the same method. However, I had a steering lock so they could not drive away. The security and safety features on my care are worthless and do not provide the security a modern car should…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550184 · 2023-10-16 (October 16, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all electrical and motive power. As a result, the vehicle collided with a shopping cart, causing it to collide with another vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403369 · 2021-03-16 (March 16, 2021)
I HAVE OWNED 3 KIAS AND ALL 3 HAVE HAD RECALLS. KIA HAS NEVER CONTACTED ME AND DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME IT'S NOT INVOLVED IF YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE INFO. AS THINGS STARTED TO GO WRONG LIKE ABS SENSOR LITE GOING ON AND OFF DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS THEY COULD GET A CODE WHILE IT WAS ON SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE ISSUE UNTIL IT STAYED ON CONSITENTLY SO THEY COULD FIGURE IT OUT. THIS HAPPENED ON 2 VEHICLES IN A ROW. MY HUSBAND TRADED HIS IN FOR A TRUCK AND GOT AWAY FROM KIA. I TRADED IN AND ENDED UP WITH A 2021 WITH LESS THAN 6000…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11403369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567595 · 2024-01-24 (January 24, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes were inoperable. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and rolled before coming to a stop. The contact noticed smo…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11567595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452231 · 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)
The car was stolen and no safety/security features were deployed. In doing research, Kias are being stolen on a daily basis in my city and this was not communicated to me by the dealer when I bought the vehicle 6 months ago. These cars should not be allowed to be sold without steering wheel locks and/or signed acknowledgment by the buyer. They clearly do not have the necessary equipment or features to prevent them from easily being stolen.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11384033 · 2020-12-18 (December 18, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A UNKNOWN VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF FIRE. THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LO FOR BODY WORK REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WERNER KIA 2755 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304 [phone removed] WHERE DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION, COOLER, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11384033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743759 · 2026-06-12 (June 12, 2026)
While driving southbound on Route 93 on 6/11/2026 during the morning commute, my 2021 Kia Sportage suddenly sputtered and lost the ability to accelerate. I was traveling about 65 mph in heavy traffic when the vehicle abruptly lost power without any warning lights or prior symptoms. As my speed dropped, I had to cross multiple lanes to reach the breakdown lane, creating a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where I was informed that the high‑pressure fuel pump had failed and needed t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743759 at NHTSA ↗