2021 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (18) · Engine And Engine Cooling (6) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sportage model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Trailer Hitches 2022-09-19 · campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2021-03-04 · campaign 21V137000 · 379,931 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (68)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Electrical System 2026-05-28 · TSB_ELE422 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: infotainment system software update using update.kia.com - this bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable kia vehicles using the kia navigation updater available at update.kia.com. the software update may impr
Engine 2026-04-04 · SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emissions: ecm logic improvement (sc340 revision 5) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information to
Engine 2026-03-17 · SC340_OWNR_NQ5_105 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc340 flight 105) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) for certain 2017-2022 my sportag
Engine 2026-03-06 · SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions
technical service bulletin: voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emission secm logic improvement (sc340 rev 4) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin p
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Showing the 6 most recent of 68 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 103,916 mi“the contact owns a 2021 kia sportage. the contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. the contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and checked the oil dipstick and became aware that there was no oil on the dip…”
2026-09-29 · Engine“my 2021 kia sportage is in limp mode at 2,000 rpm, and my mechanic confirmed it has the p1326 knock sensor code stored. vin [xxx]. i need to see if my car can be added to the list of vehicles regarding the product improvement campaign pi2002a. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-09-26 · Engine“the kia never showed an engine light error or gave a code stating there was a problem. we change the oil every 3000 miles. there was no oil on the dip stick and the oil was extremely low. the engine seized up today.…”
2026-09-16 · Visibility/Wiper“severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 kia sportage. a physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident. the vehicle also has chronic failure of the air conditioning system, documented by sunset kia of sarasota as a leaking evaporator. this pr…”
2026-08-20 · Vehicle Speed Control“see attached document for complaint.…”
2026-08-11 · Engine“the hose connected on the antifreeze leak into the engine compartment…”
2026-07-24 · Power Train“on june 14, 2026, the driver experienced sudden rough engine running followed immediately by a flashing check engine light. the vehicle was towed to the selling dealer, which has performed all prior maintenance. the vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. technician notes show dtc p1326 was stored — the knock sensor de…”
2026-07-18 · Unknown Or Other“the infotainment center screen in my 2021 kia sportage is delaminating. the uv gel adhesive that holds the screen is failing. this is a known widespread safety issue as many controls are handled through the infotainment touch screen as well as the screen displaying the back up camera visability. you should force kia to fix this problem past 3 years…”
2026-07-07 · Electrical System · 55,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 kia sportage. the contact stated that while parked on several occasions, a "battery discharge warning" message was displayed, which disappeared once the vehicle was driven. the contact then stated that on several occasions after the vehicle sat unoperated for a day, the engine failed to start. the contact's husband jump-star…”
2026-06-26 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 kia sportage. the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the drain plug detached, and oil started leaking from the oil pan. the accelerator was depressed, but the vehicle failed to move and stalled while driving on the highway. the vehicle failed to restart. the oil light illuminated after the failure. the …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.