What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 KIA Sportage

Typical pattern

5.4% of complaints about the 2020 KIA Sportage came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (72 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 23,027 miles.

Complaints
202
Median age at failure
4.8 yr
Median mileage
12,000 n=42
Crash / fire / tow
17.3% of reports
Safety recalls
2 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
72 reports · 23,027 mi
5.8 yr
9.7%
Other
31 reports · 7,400 mi
2.9 yr
22.6%
Electrical system
19 reports · 12,500 mi
5.1 yr
15.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V703000 2022-09-19 Do not drive
Trailer hitches

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.

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

21V137000 2021-03-04 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Engine mileage not reported 7 mo in service
MY CAR WOULDN'T START TWICE. WHEN I DID GET IT TO START, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE ON THE FREEWAY, THE GEARS DID NOT CHANGE UNTIL AFTER 45 MPH. THIS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE MY FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT AND I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 56 MILES ON IT.
Engine mileage not reported 2.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken it to dealership last year for repair. There was no warning lights.
Engine mileage not reported 3.1 yr in service
- On four separate occasions, the car failed to start. On all four occasions, it was towed to the Yonkers Kia dealer. It is available for inspection if necessary. - Failure to start jeopardizes my safety as I could be stranded in the wrong neighborhood or situation. - The problem was reproduced on the third tow to the Yonkers Kia dealer. - The vehicle has been inspected on for separate occasions by the entire Yonkers Kia service team. - There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the failure. The first time the problem occurred was October 4, 2022.
Other mileage not reported 1 mo in service
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS UNABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY MOVE UP DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE EYESIGHT MECHANISM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. A PERSON OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND BODY SIZE CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SINCE IT'S MOVEMENT RANGE WILL NOT ALLOW THE MIRROR TO MOVE UP. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT.

Other Sportage model years

202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011200920082006200520022001200019991998

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