2016 Kia Sportage

131 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed Sep 11, 2026Failure Sep 6, 2026Mabank, TXEngine, Vehicle speed control

   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."

   NHTSA complaint 11763632
2. Filed Jul 5, 2026Failure Jun 2, 2026Williston, NDEngine

   The knock censor went out, once it was replaced and the oil changed it’s still knocking and unable to drive. Mechanic from out of state looked at it and now said he thinks there’s a problem with in the engine. The car is sitting in a driveway, 4 hours from a Kia dealership.

   NHTSA complaint 11748382
3. Filed Mar 10, 2026Failure Feb 27, 2026Fontana, CAEngine

   Engine failure. The engine completely seized up

   NHTSA complaint 11723313
4. Filed Feb 9, 2026Failure Feb 5, 2026180,000 milesArlington, TXEngine, Power train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11716724
5. Filed Feb 3, 2026Failure Feb 3, 2026116,124 milesSan Antonio, TXEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,124.

   NHTSA complaint 11715339
6. Filed Jan 27, 2026Failure Dec 2, 2025Boise, IDAir bagsCrash1 injured

   My wife was recently in a car accident and sandwiched between two cars and the airbags didn’t deploy.

   NHTSA complaint 11713791
7. Filed Nov 19, 2025Failure Nov 18, 2025Greenville, SCElectrical system, Engine, Service brakes

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11700308
8. Filed Aug 16, 2025Failure May 24, 2025Aibonito, PREngine, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system

   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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11681109
9. Filed Jul 3, 2025Failure Jul 1, 2025sugar land, TXEngine, Adaptive cruise control

   2 problems occurred within 1 month from each other: - Kia Sportage engine started to randomly stall. I needed to do a full stop in the middle of the road and restart the car to continue driving. I had 3 stalls happen within 2 weeks before I had time to take it to the dealer. The Kia Dealer held it for over a week and drove it but could not find any issues. They mentioned low oil, which was strange considering I recently replaced it. I also forced the dealer to do ignition tuning which seemed to have resolved the issue. - In a month after the first problem with stalling I experienced issues with the engine of unknown origin (so far). This happened this week. While going downhill cruise control shut off. After that the engine started to decelerate and the amber blinking engine light came off. Transmission started to be jerky. Dropped it off at the dealer again. I was very luck to not get into any major car accidents so far, but I was very close! Smells, sounds, and looks like a potential recall that Kia does not want to recognize.

   NHTSA complaint 11671168
10. Filed Jun 9, 2025Failure Jun 1, 2025Catonsville, MDEngine, Fuel/propulsion system

    On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I was leaving work and was exiting I97 to enter on 695 and and I accelerated to proceed on 695 and my vehicle lost power, the engine light along with the oil indictor came on, and making a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed and taken to the mechanic and the code read, "Knock sensor." The knock sensor was replaced at $301.85. I was able to drive the vehicle without any problems until Wednesday, June 3, 2025, when going to a doctor's appointment the vehicle's engine came on along with the oil indicator and the power was reduced and I had to pull over again with the same experience. The vehicle was again tested for codes and it then read Camshaft Sensor. This vehicle did not have any ill-performance, bells, dings, whistles or indicator lights until it was actually happening. According to the certified mechanic, this is a defect in the vehicle and although the part may be warranted, it will happen again and buyers will still have to pay for the part and labor, again, to have it fixed. I do not have my invoice on hand, however, I can get another copy.

    NHTSA complaint 11665787
11. Filed May 27, 2025Failure May 27, 2025Mesa, AZService brakes, Hydraulic

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11663235
12. Filed May 25, 2025Failure May 24, 2025Mobile, ALEngine, Unknown or other

    Me and my family were on the way to the beach, as I accelerated on the interstate got to 65 mph, engine light started blinking, car instantly slowed down. Got off on next exit, to check and see what was going on, car started hesitating after acceleration. Was able to get it to an autoshop (O'Reilly's) diagnosis shows knock sensor failure and they told me it has to do with the safety recall, didn't even know the car had a recall on it.

    NHTSA complaint 11662987
13. Filed Apr 28, 2025Failure Apr 28, 2025University Hts, OHService brakes, Unknown or other

    Very often, when I put my car into park, it doesn't seem to fully engage, and I either can't remove the key (until I put it back into drive, and then park again), and in some instances I experience a "rollaway" as soon as I remove my foot from the brake pedal. I believe there is already a recall for the Kia Telluride model for this issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11657222
14. Filed Jan 10, 2025Failure Dec 24, 2024Shelby, NCEngine

    Have approx 101000 miles on car. It had 54202 when i bought it from A Kia dealer in Gastonia NC who was forced out of ownership because of fraud. The car has been serviced regularly and engine oil changed between 3-5ooo miles. I have put approximately 57000 miles since 2017. I have never had an issue with car until Christmas Eve 2024 when after leaving stop sigh and a turn around panel oil light came on and as i was looking for place to pull over all lights started Flashing and car completely went dead. Had to struggle to steer off road. Dead checked oil level good had it changed less than month temperature was normal Car dead and would not crank. Had to pay 200 on Christmas Eve to get towed to my son’s house which was approximately 15 miles. I had driven over 200+ miles averaging 60-70 mph. Diagnostic code P0014 - B camshaft position timing over - advanced or system performance bank 1. Troubling shooting told Me to replace sensor that might fix problem. I put the $89 sensor in and the car actually started but sounded like it was gonna blow up. Mechanic looked at it and said timing belt loose but he was afraid damage was done to engine and might need new one Am working on getting it towed over 200 miles away to a mechanic that i trust to look at timing system. I’m gonna have approximately $600 dollars spent and really nothing has been done but sensor replaced. After reading these complaints it seems around 100000 miles this has happened to quite a few 2016 Kia Sportages. It looks like people are having no luck with help from dealers. We need help on this. I was lucky it did not completely shut down when i was drivin 70 mph or i could have been killed. Please advise where to go from here

    NHTSA complaint 11635345
15. Filed Dec 11, 2024Failure Dec 11, 2024Cape Coral, FLEngine

    Vehicle went from operating fine to a flashing yellow engine light. Within minutes, the vehicle could not be safely driven. There was a knocking and vibration from the engine.

    NHTSA complaint 11630219
16. Filed Dec 9, 2024Failure Nov 14, 2024san german, PREngine

    AS WE WERE DRIVING MY NIECE HOME FROM SCHOOL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM HER HOUSE, THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER TO LET HER OUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT START BACK ON. WE WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, BUT IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. THERE WERE NO MESSAGES OR ANYTHING SAYING SOMETHING WAS WRONG

    NHTSA complaint 11629614
17. Filed Sep 25, 2024Failure Sep 20, 2024Mariposa, CAVehicle speed controlCrash

    The car accelerated of its own accord, I had been driving 30-35 miles an hour when it accelerated suddenly and caused me to wreck.

    NHTSA complaint 11616318
18. Filed Aug 14, 2024Failure Aug 7, 2024110,000 milesGranite City, ILEngine

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11608457
19. Filed Jul 16, 2024Failure Jul 9, 2024Winthrop Harbor, ILEngine

    The engine knocks took it to the auto mechanic and needs a new engine. Have to pay for this and reading on line it is a well known issue

    NHTSA complaint 11602689
20. Filed Apr 21, 2024Failure Apr 18, 2024Paoli, INEngine

    I was driving down the road on 4/18/2024 and my engine locked up. I got it off the road as far as I could, but was very dangerous spot. All maintenance has been done on this SUV. I had it towed to a local independent shop where I was informed it was locked up. No warning light came on. I just lost all power and coasted to the side of the road. It is available for inspection at the shop it was towed to. No repairs have been done at this time.

    NHTSA complaint 11584308