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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-KIA-SPORTAGE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Kia Sportage owner complaints

129 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 3 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 6 complaints shown

16 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/26/2022 ODI #11498901.0

On July 30, 2022 I took my car to Greenway Kia East Orlando due to two traction warning lights that were on. After weeks and months of Kia not knowing what was wrong with the car I was finally told that it was an electrical harness and that my warranty company was non responsive. I decided to call my warranty company and after back and forth they said they would not approve what Kia wanted to do because they needed to fix the initial issue which I believe to be the same. The service manager from Kia, Gina Carpio then told me there was nothing else they could do, so I asked them on December 14th to put my car back together the way that on dropped it off on July 30th so that I can pick it up and take somewhere else. A couple of months prior to this I asked them to do the same, since they cou

11/19/2025 ODI #11700308.0

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

10/28/2022 ODI #11491341.0

can not get recall 22v051 resolved, received a letter from Kia corp. headquarters,Irvine,ca stating parts were available for the recall. I made an appointment with Roseville Kia, ca. for oct. 17. We drove for an hour to the dealership, only to be told they did not have the parts on hand, we were told to make another appointment. we said we would that when they had the psrts on hand. We have not heard anything so I called the service dept. this morning. the first thing I was told was they are an independent dealership? I explained the situation and was told I should call the service dept. and order the parts. I am not responsible for obtaining parts for a recall. Whisky Tango Foxtrot!

10/26/2022 ODI #11491059.0

There has been a recall on this car twice in less than a year. When I tried to get the parts ordered, the dealer lied about ordering them. DO NOT BUY KIAS.

10/25/2022 ODI #11490892.0

I received a notice twice to take the vehicle in for repairs and twice set up and appointment with never a call back. Sent request to the hq's in Irvine no response their service is horribly will never purchase another one from this company! Request verification

10/25/2017 16,000 mi ODI #11039736.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Kia sportage. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle stalled and lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to jim butler Kia (722 long rd crossing dr, chesterfield, mo 63005 (636) 256-9600) and the technician stated that the failure was a Kia manufacturing engineering issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact had not received a call back. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

engine 4 complaints shown

40 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/12/2022 Fire ODI #11497121.0

While driving in highway we noticed a fuel smell. After a little came from front area (hood area) and heard a blast underneath. At the same time the car abruptly stopped in the highway (HOV lane). We also noticed fireballs shooting downward from underneath the car. We had no options but to call fire brigade to stop the fire. Later we had to tow the car to home. I called a mechanic to evaluate the situation and he informed us the engine of the vehicle has been ceased as a result. We have to bear a significant cost for the repairs. We are still suffering emotional stress as a result of this unexpected incident.

12/11/2024 ODI #11630219.0

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.

12/09/2024 ODI #11629614.0

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

10/29/2019 29,000 mi ODI #11276987.0

I own a 2016 Kia sportage and in january 2019 on a trip to a nearby town the car engine started to catch. At this time the car only had about 29,000 miles on it and had the oil changed about 4 weeks prior. My husband checked the all the fluids and found the car had very little oil in it. We were surprised since no warning lights ever came on and we had just change the oil. He put oil in it and watched it and again 2 weeks later there was very little oil in the car. I took it to the dealer and explain all of this. They took a picture of the inside of my motor and said it was like sludge then put it all back together and blamed everything on us voided the warranty . The car cannot be driven over about 45mph. Upon further research I found that there was an oil delivery system problem th

powertrain 3 complaints shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/22/2023 ODI #11561565.0

When coming to a stop and brake applied car starts to vibrate. Local mechanic who looked at the vehicle believes it's the torque converter. The miles are high but it's under a the recall new engine, which technically has only approximately 60k.

12/15/2019 ODI #11289135.0

The engine of the car just died on me when I was turning right at the intersection. Unknown cause why the engine just died on me. I tried starting it, and it would start and die again. If I start the car and step on the gas, the engine does not die but once I release from the gas, the engine dies and I smell a strong gas odor.

12/12/2023 ODI #11559800.0

Blind spot. Numerous times the driver mirror is large and close to the window /door frame causing a huge blind spot as to where I've almost hit people crossing in a crosswalk, mostly by making a left turn.

other 3 complaints shown

12/08/2020 86,000 mi ODI #11378542.0

Car just shutdown on me doing 75 in a 70. Mileage was not high and maintenance wasn't need according to the dashboard. Car was great then just out of nowhere shutdown due to faulty engine they keep saying.*jb

11/09/2021 91,000 mi ODI #11439858.0

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal loud knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that while he was taking the vehicle to the dealer the following day, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) because he had not taken the vehicle to their location before t

10/23/2017 21,000 mi ODI #11035826.0

I have a 2016 Kia sportage when I pull out in traffic it hesitates when I push the gas its like we have no gas.it doesnt do it all the time but when it does it that will scare the krap out of you especialy when oncoming traffic is coming at you.you ask when it happened well it has happened numerous times if not fixed this could result in a law suit

steering 2 complaints shown

4 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
11/06/2017 15,900 mi Crash ODI #11043829.0

On sept 3 2017 I was invloved in an accident in which my driver side air bag deployed leaving me with severe bruises on abdoman and burn marks on my left forearm. I went to hopspital and had an ultrasound done. Our car was totalled and wanted to make sure that I am going to not have any further medical issues I have police reports and medical report to back this up. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'*jb

10/07/2022 1 injury ODI #11488291.0

I was driving with my cruise control set at 70 mph, on Highway 95 ( the speed limit ) While driving my vehicle suddenly dropped to 40 mph, all dashboard lights began to flash. I had problems with the steering as I attempted to pull over. I had a tractor trailer behind me on a major highway. When I came to a complete stop, my engine light kept flashing. I drove my car to the KIA dealership in GA, where they determined my engine failed ( software issues ) There were no prior warnings. My vehicle had been serviced just a few weeks prior. KIA is fully aware of these ongoing engine failures according to my local KIA dealer rep.

suspension 1 complaint shown

12/29/2021 ODI #11445377.0

the car was bought certified used from Galpin Kia which is no longer in business. That location closed down. I had gone 2 times with the same issue and they refused to look under the car & mechanic basically said chill out it’s fine. Sent me to galpin Ford to which I talked to 2 employees and In tears expressed my fear and concern yet was told to relax and nothing was wrong .took to Kia new location 2 times was told to come back and 3rd I refused to leave till it was looked at. Mechanic said it was not in good shape and rep told me to not drive unless a emergency & would email me that night which was Saturday what labor it needed and prices and I’ve yet to hear back I followed up twice since and still no response ..the fact I was told not to drive & it mechanic stated to rep in Spanis

body 1 complaint shown

12/02/2019 35,000 mi ODI #11286404.0

Wife herd a loud pop noise out side 7 am sunday look out side did not see any problem. We were getting ready to leave for church went to warm up car and I noticed some glass and found that the panoramic glass was shattered. Car is kept under car port.. I am aware that some of these cars have windows explode

Showing 300 of 129 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Kia/Sportage#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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