The 2016 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 182 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
57
3fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
30
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
9
1fires
POWER TRAIN
8
SERVICE BRAKES
7
1crashes1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
2crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
5
5crashes6injuries
STEERING
4
2crashes1fires3injuries
Total complaints182
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Engine failure. The engine completely seized up”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“My wife was recently in a car accident and sandwiched between two cars and the airbags didn’t deploy.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
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 2016 Kia Sportage as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.