The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 198,400 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC22V0510002022-02-02126,747 affected
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…
ENGINE18V9070002018-12-1971,653 affected
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects…
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
84
7fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
27
2fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
25
4fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
4fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
7
1fires
AIR BAGS
5
5crashes5injuries
POWER TRAIN
5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3
SERVICE BRAKES
3
1fires
Total complaints193
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Engine fire which led to explosion and total loss.”
“Unjustified denial of engine warranty coverage - 2015 kia sportage "I am filing this complaint because kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the theta ii gdi engine) on my 2015 kia sportage. The manufacturer’s denial is based on the claim that I did…”
“Unjustified denial of engine warranty coverage - 2015 kia sportage "I am filing this complaint because kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the theta ii gdi engine) on my 2015 kia sportage. The manufacturer’s denial is based on the claim that I did…”
“Oil has been leaking for years. Always got regular oil changes and engine died while driving.”
“Oil has been leaking for years. Always got regular oil changes and engine died while driving.”
“The car just quit running as I was driving. It would not turn over using jumper cables. I had it towed to a local mechanic where they replaced the starter and the battery. Upon picking it up, it was making noises that it did not make previously.”
“The car just quit running as I was driving. It would not turn over using jumper cables. I had it towed to a local mechanic where they replaced the starter and the battery. Upon picking it up, it was making noises that it did not make previously.”
“The contact owns a 2015 kia sportage. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number 22v051000 (service brake, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2015 Kia Sportage as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.