Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2021 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls, 42 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
2
Recalls
42
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated May 19, 2026
21V137000
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 Uni...
22V703000
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...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2026 | ENGINE | Catastrophic fire started in fast food restaurant drive through, but able to drive to the parking lo... |
| Mar 28, 2026 | ENGINE | The engine in my 2021 Kia Sportage failed while being driven at highway speeds on US 131 in Michigan... |
| Mar 16, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The oil is mixing with the gas and their was smoke coming from the engine after that the engine has ... |
| Mar 16, 2026 | ENGINE | smoke coming from the engine. |
| Mar 4, 2026 | ENGINE | On March 4, 2026, the engine in my 2021 Kia Sportage malfunctioned while I was driving on a local ro... |
| Feb 22, 2026 | ENGINE | I am filing a complaint regarding a 2021 Kia Sportage that experienced catastrophic engine failure, ... |
| Jan 5, 2026 | ENGINE | Loosing oil constantly. Always on the low end. I am having to keep oil in my car to put in it when n... |
| Dec 17, 2025 | ENGINE | I was driving only going around 35 miles and the car went from no check engine light to flashing che... |
| Nov 3, 2025 | ENGINE | I have experienced chronic and excessive engine oil consumption in my 2021 Kia Sportage S with the 2... |
| Oct 2, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that her mother was driving at an undisclos... |
| Aug 14, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undis... |
| Jul 21, 2025 | ENGINE | My car has been burning oil way too quickly! I got the 10,000 mile oil to see if it way maybe that a... |
| Jul 21, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil ch... |
| Jul 12, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The car alarm keeps going off randomly and from googling it. Several people have reported an issue w... |
| Jul 3, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car is burning oil like crazy. I’ve had to put 2 quarts in one week. Took it to dealership becaus... |
| May 22, 2025 | ENGINE | I had catastrophic engine failure driving down the road to work. Check engine light started flashing... |
| Jan 25, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Drivers side roof drip molding trim on roof detached and flew off of car while driving on interstate |
| Jan 17, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | BATTERY DIED, FOB DIDNT WORK 2 TIMES HAD TO HV TOWED, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT SEEMS AS IT HAS A SHORT, OVE... |
| Dec 4, 2024 | ENGINE | Kia Sportage 2021- The service department at the dealership ran basic inspection of fault codes and ... |
| Sep 16, 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ... |