Model year
2021 Kia Sportage
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 54 complaints for the 2021 Kia Sportage (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 2 recalls marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (23), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (7). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$3,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 304 complaints
- 2001 228 complaints
- 2002 234 complaints
- 2005 68 complaints
- 2006 111 complaints
- 2007 77 complaints
- 2008 98 complaints
- 2009 80 complaints
- 2010 20 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 392 complaints
- 2013 381 complaints
- 2014 125 complaints
- 2015 146 complaints
- 2016 134 complaints
- 2017 403 complaints
- 2018 164 complaints
- 2019 71 complaints
- 2020 162 complaints
- 2021 54 complaints
- 2022 46 complaints
- 2023 193 complaints
- 2024 75 complaints
- 2025 55 complaints
- 2026 27 complaints
- 2027 1 complaints
Recalls
22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Park outsideTRAILER 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…
21V137000 · Mar 4, 2021
Park outsideSERVICE 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.
Complaints
54 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 7, injury field 4, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.155 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sportage FWD · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Sportage AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Sportage AWD · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 25 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Kia Sportage at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.