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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 50 complaints (42.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation48.0%
Electrical and battery issues48.0%
Braking behavior36.0%
Steering behavior36.0%
Transmission and shifting12.0%
Fuel system concerns12.0%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine21
Unknown Or Other14
Electrical System6
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Power Train3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Trailer Hitches2
Air Bags1

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

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.

2020
1
2021
6
2022
6
2023
5
2024
4
2025
12
2026
16
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20201
20216
20226
20235
20244
202512
202616

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

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 11400384 · 2021-03-11 (March 11, 2021)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST VEERED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE LANE ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS THE CHECK SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOU FUSZ KIA (1025 N LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63132:;[phone removed]) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400384 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 11420793 · 2021-06-14 (June 14, 2021)

The right rear passenger door does not unlock when putting the car in park intermittently! This occurs from the inside and outside. I realize I can disengage using my unlock feature but this should not happen. We have checked the child safety lock and it is not engaged! I can also tell you that my daughter-in-law has a 2019 Sorrento and my sister-in-law has a 2016 Sportage and both vehicles experience the identical issue!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420793 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11424787 · 2021-07-14 (July 14, 2021)

The contact's wife owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while he was driving in another vehicle following his wife's vehicle, the contact noticed that his wife's rear turn signals were not visible since the rear turn signal headlights were mounted on the bumper and was too low to be visible for larger vehicles such as a SUV following from behind. The dealer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact that they could not modify the rear turn signal assembly since it would void the warranty. The contact attempted to notify t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424787 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11425260 · 2021-07-17 (July 17, 2021)

2021 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 4300 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE PUTTING ME AND 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN DANGER . BOught car brand new only had one oil change at kia dealership,no warning lights. CAR WAS TOTAL LOSSINPECTED BY INSURANCE COMPANY,FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE ELSE

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11440172 · 2021-11-11 (November 11, 2021)

On 01/04/2021 my son [XXX] purchased New 2021 Kia Sportage LX. On 10/15/2021 this car was stolen In West Allis Wisconsin parked in front of his work place. On 10/21/2021 police found the car abended on the north side of Milwaukee with substantial damage totaling $9,705.66. This car has been towed to [XXX] for repairs. Because of shortage of part and lots of damage it might take up to 4 months or longer to fix it. Starting on 11/15/2021 [XXX] will have to pay $50.00 a day or more for rental car to be able to get to work. Kia should be held re…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440172 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11448180 · 2022-01-20 (January 20, 2022)

ON 1/17/2022 I TOOK MY CAR TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OIL CHANGE AND ON 1/18/2022 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT UP

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448180 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗