Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Kia Sportage problems
Owners filed 134 complaints about the 2016 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Mar 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (62).
Complaints
134
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine62
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Electrical system17
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Power train8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Service brakes7
- Air bags5
- Structure4
- Steering4
- Exterior lighting3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Visibility2
- Visibility/wiper2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
7
4
16
4
7
56
11
10
8
9
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
62 reports3 fires
“My 2016 Kia Sportage LX experienced a catastrophic engine seizure on September 9, 2026, at 91,249 miles. My son was returning home on I-95 South in Florida. After exiting at Sample Road and traveling west near Seabra Foods at approximately 40 mph, he first noticed unusual engine noises at an estimated 91,245 miles. He pulled over, immediately called me, and sent a video recording of the noise. I advised him to proceed to Bisbee Auto & Tires, an independent repair facility. The engine completely seized directly in front of its service entrance at 91,249 miles. Most concerning, my son reported NO dashboard warning lights, including the check engine light, before the engine seized, despite Kia's service records confirming that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update had been completed before the failure. KSDS is intended to detect certain vibrations associated with connecting rod bearing damage. I request investigation into why no warning appeared, whether KSDS operated correctly, whether diagnostic code P1326 was recorded, and the actual engine failure mechanism. My son regularly drives on I-95 at 65 mph. Had the engine seized in highway traffic, sudden…”
Service brakes, hydraulic
31 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Electrical system
17 reports1 fire
“WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED KNOCKING MAKING NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY TAIL PIPE. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO THE TRICK, THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON, MY CAR DRIVES VERY SLOW NOW. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT ON THE ROAD”
Fuel/propulsion system
9 reports1 fire
“La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX]”
Power train
8 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.”
Vehicle speed control
7 reports2 crashes
“The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine failure while driving. The vehicle completely lost acceleration, entered a low-pitched humming 'limp-home mode,' and the dashboard red oil pressure warning light illuminated solidly.The vehicle had previously received the mandatory corporate KSDS software update. A diagnostic check by an authorized Kia dealership officially documented the physical evidence of 'metal debris in the engine oil,' which is the unarguable signature of the defect described in NHTSA Recall campaigns for the Theta II engine block.Despite the physical evidence of connecting rod bearing failure and the active KSDS update, Kia Corporate and the local dealership have issued a flat denial of the Lifetime Warranty engine replacement mandate. This constitutes a direct violation of the safety recall settlement framework."”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.