2015 Kia Sportage Complaints

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/05/2026

I own a 2015 Kia Sportage VIN in detail. On 7-2-2026, an authorized Kia dealer completed the anti-theft ignition campaign. Within days of that repair, my daughter was driving at highway speed when the ignition moved from the ON/RUN position to ACC. The engine shut off, resulting in loss of power steering and brake assist. Fortunately, she was able to safely pull over. The servicing dealer has stated that the ignition's ability to rotate from RUN to ACC with minimal pressure is normal and that the vehicle is safe. However, because this incident occurred immediately following the anti-theft campaign and involved a loss of engine power while driving it appears there could be a casual impact.

ENGINE — Filed 05/20/2026

Engine fire which led to explosion and total loss.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 04/10/2026

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 not perform the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update in previous years. However, I have officially performed this update at an authorized Kia dealership (Hendrick Kia of Cary) on April 17, 2026. Despite my vehicle now fully complying with the recall requirements, Kia continues to deny the warranty claim by retroactively applying a 'missed update' penalty. This is a clear attempt to evade their obligations under the class-action settlement regarding this engine defect. The manufacturer is holding the current owner responsible for maintenance history they cannot control, even though the vehicle is now technically compliant. I request that the NHTSA investigate this practice, as it prevents consumers from accessing the safety-related warranty protections they are entitled to." Tips for your submission:

ENGINE — Filed 04/09/2020

I own a 2015 Kia Sportage with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 22V051 / SC227B). The vehicle became undriveable years ago due to engine issues. I contacted both the dealership and Kia several times, but no one has responded or completed the recall. I received no notification letter. The vehicle has sat inoperable for years, and I had to stop payments because the engine failed and posed a safety risk. I am requesting NHTSA intervention as Kia has failed to complete the safety recall in a timely manner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 05/10/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 05/11/2025

Oil has been leaking for years. Always got regular oil changes and engine died while driving.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 11/14/2024

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. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated that an appointment would be scheduled; however, the contact had not yet heard back from the dealer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the low battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed because the mileage on the vehicle had been exceeded. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that an engine replacement recommended by the dealer was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 134,644. Parts distribution disconnect.

ENGINE — Filed 10/22/2022

We were driving down the highway and without any kind of warning the car lost all power I had to move to the shoulder of the road and wait over 5 hrs for a tow truck and then get a hotel room for the night before we could get a rental car the next morning once they opened. Then, a couple weeks later we had to have the vehicle towed back home to NY since we broke down on [XXX] in PA. Then we had to have it towed to a repair shop and they told me it was rod iron knocking and was covered under the Theta II class action lawsuit according to the website when the vin# was inputted to the website. And Kia is saying it's not covered because of a recall that wasn't completed but being I never received the notification as I wasn't the 1st or 2nd owner of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/25/2022

hit skip acident 12/25/2022 Germain Body Shop, Powell, Ohio for repair Computer module airbag system -part number 959103w800 not available as of 6/20/2023 The repair shop is aware of the liability. Can not release, State of Ohio laws. Confirmed from Germain Kia Columbus, the email part is been on backorder.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 05/13/2023

I’m going to mall and then go to the store in route 61 in Frackville PA the chips in road break my windshield is so much my phone number [XXX] my name is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 03/08/2023

Sudden acceleration accident

FIRERELATED — Filed 08/16/2022

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected with smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. Additionally, after refueling the vehicle, a fuel odor was detected while driving. A bystander alerted the contact that the vehicle had caught fire and to exit the vehicle immediately. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. There were flames coming from the engine compartment and underneath the vehicle. The bystander used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the smoke coming from the engine compartment. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic) however, the contact had not yet received the notification. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/07/2022

This car was electronically going crazy tenants calling police cause alarm wouldn't stop going off Smelled gasoline but no leaks o roll the windows down engine ram n lights get dim no check light ever came on car shutting off child locked in car behind this then it goes up in smoke while driving on the freeway what the hell should I say more we could have list our lives in that car I have 2 kids 1 and 2. I need justice asap I have kids with astma is it due to this faulty vehicle

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 02/23/2022

Engine stalled at a stop sign. Smoke started coming from the front of the vehicle and engine burst into flames. No warning lights, no sign of something going wrong. My safety and that of my husband was out at risk due to risk of burning to death, being badly burned, others being injured from being in the vicinity etc.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 02/05/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that he had taken the vehicle to a dealer to have it diagnosed for rough engine functioning. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed that the vehicle needed to have the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was returning to his residence at approximately 30 MPH, when the vehicle's engine began to shake and had a loud explosion. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated. The contact was able to return to his residence and turned the vehicle off and observed white smoke issuing from under the hood. The contact stated that he opened the hood and the smoke dissipated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and could not. The contact received a recall letter from the manufacturer and relates the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 04/08/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/27/2020

CAR WAS IN A COLLISION WITH METAL BRIDGE BARRIER(STANDING SOLID OBJECT) HEAD ON, SPUN TO HIT BOTH REAR SIDES AND SPUN SOME MORE AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL AND RESULTED IN A CONCUSSION. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN I HIT AN ICE BLOCK ON THE ROAD, SPUN TO THE SIDE AND HIT THE METAL BARRIE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD HEAD ON AND SPUN MORE TO HIT THE BACK TIRE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS ACCORDING TO INSURANCE.

ENGINE — Filed 03/18/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THEN EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS THEY WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT AND DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF CERRITOS DEALERSHIP ((562) 860-2424 LOCATED AT 18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 03/07/2018

THE 2015 KIA SPORTAGE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE MEDICAL CENTER WHERE MY WIFE HAD A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. SHE WAS INSIDE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES WHEN AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE ABOUT A RED KIA IN THE PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE LOOKED, IT WAS HER CAR & THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ALREADY ON SCENE & THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 10/26/2017

DROVE VEHICLE APPROX 10 MINUTES SMELLED A BURNING SMELL, THOUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE DRIVING IN NEXT LANE, ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT LIGHT, I NOTICED THE HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE, I EXITED VEHICLE AND JUST 1-2 MINUTES ENGINE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/03/2017

CPSC:I HAD A TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED ON MY 2015 KIA SPORTAGE., I WAS EXISTING THE CASTLE ROCK MOTEL IN FRIENDSHIP, WI WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ERUPTED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR WHERE MY 1 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WAS STRAPPED INTO THE CAR SEAT. ONE OF THE HOTEL EMPLOYEES SAW ME STRUGGLE TO GET HIM OUT OF THE CAR SEAT AND CAME TO ASSIST, AT THE SAME TIME DAUGHTER (WHO WAS ALSO IN THE CAR WITH ME) CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE HOTEL EMPLOYEE RETRIEVED SOME TOOLS AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISMANTLED THE BACK PANEL WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND DETERMINED THE ROOT CAUSE WAS THE WIRING HARNESS "BLACK BOX." THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR BEFORE CONTINUING TO DRIVE IT. *BF UPDATED 07/19/2017*JS

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — Filed 09/12/2015

I WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH AND A WOMAN PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I (T BONED ) HER. MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY ALL FUNCTIONS STOPPED WORKING.THE CAR FILLED WITH WHITE SMOKE FROM THE AIR BAG. MY WINDOWS WERE UP AND I COULD NOT ROLL THEM DOWN NOR STEER.I COULD NOT BREATH THE CAR WAS ROLLING IT STOPPED AT APPROX. 50 FT.WHEN I GOT OUT I WAS GASPING I HAD A WHITE SUBSTANCE ALL OVER ME IN MY NOSE. I'M VERY CONCERNED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/09/2015

INVOLVED IN A VERY LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT, GOING APPROXIMATELY 8-10MPH IF THAT, VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, PRESSED BRAKE, ROADS ICY, AND SLID INTO VEHICLE WHICH PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. IMPACT CAUSED AIRBAG TO COME OUT AND BROKE MY HAND/WRIST/ARM IN 3 PLACES. I SIT FAR ENOUGH BACK ON PURPOSE, THE AIR BAG ONLY STUCK MY ARM. I DON'T THINK I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AT ALL. I AM PERMANENTLY DISFIGURED AND HAVE LIMITED FUNCTION OF MY DOMINANT HAND NOW.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/29/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSION, SPRAINED NECK, AND SPRAINED SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD BE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 09/20/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE ODOMETER ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES APPEARED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. ....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF