VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SC340_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Kia Sportage electrical problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Kia Sportage, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SC340_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGREADE $ DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2011-2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles produced from May 6, 2010 through Nov 16, 2015, and 2017-2022MY Sportage (QL) vehicles produced from December 10, 2015 through December 7, 2021, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement"; equipped w/THETA II engine. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles below returns to the dealer with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Knock Signal R
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Kia Sportage electrical issues cluster heavily around a critical safety recall (22V051) targeting the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit for fire risk due to internal short circuit. Owners received recall notices between March and April 2022 with explicit warnings to park outdoors away from structures and other vehicles—yet as of August 2022, multiple owners report unresolved recalls with parts unavailable for 60+ days, no repair appointments, and zero loaner vehicles offered by Kia or dealers.
Beyond the recall, owners describe sudden engine stalls at highway speeds with no warning lights, complete engine failure at 60,000 miles, and an electrical harness problem that left a vehicle inoperable for nearly five months after dealership service. One catastrophic failure involved flames erupting from the engine while driving. When repairs are attempted, owners cite damagingly slow diagnostics: one vehicle had $900 in work for a crank sensor that didn't fix the problem, followed by a $3,400 engine harness quote. Another vehicle returned from service with console controls dead and the driver door unable to open, conditions worse than when dropped off. Dealership technicians have acknowledged manufacturing engineering issues but made no repairs. Communication gaps are endemic—no callbacks from manufacturer, dealers claiming parts don't exist after corporate says they're available, and missed recall service appointments with no follow-up.
Same Kia Sportage electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) fire risk
Recall issued for risk of internal electrical short circuit in HECU causing engine compartment fire. Multiple owners report receiving recall notices with instruction to park vehicle outdoors, away from structures, but unable to get parts or repair appointments for months (4–6+ months post-notice). Kia offered no rental vehicles or timeline for fix.
When: Recall notices issued March–April 2022; as of August 2022, unresolved on multiple vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment fire risk; No external warning lights or symptoms before potential failure
Repairs/costs cited: Recall part (fuse) reported as unavailable for 60+ days after notice; dealerships claim parts not in stock or cannot locate them
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V051; Kia advised parking outdoors and away from other vehicles/structures; no rental or loaner vehicle offered; prolonged delays in parts availability and repair scheduling
Engine stall and loss of power without warning
Vehicle loses power and stalls suddenly while driving on highway at highway speeds, with no warning lights illuminated. Occurs at low mileage. Dealership diagnostics find no immediate cause; vehicle restarts normally after towing. Technician identified it as a manufacturing engineering issue but vehicle was not repaired.
When: One incident reported March 12, 2021 on I-4 highway; another incident reported at approximately 16,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Engine stall without warning lights; Engine knocking noise reported in one case; No diagnostic codes or warnings on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Tow truck driver attempted jump-start (3 times, unsuccessful); dealership diagnostic found no battery or other issues; vehicle restarted normally the next day. Technician acknowledged manufacturing issue but made no repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no callback received; no repair attempt made
Engine failure requiring motor replacement
Vehicle suddenly quit running during normal driving. Dealership diagnostic indicated motor replacement needed at only 60,000 miles. Dealership refused to honor warranty repair claim, citing lack of maintenance records despite owner's claim that service was performed.
When: At 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle quit running suddenly; Required full motor replacement per dealership diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted motor replacement; refused repair due to alleged missed oil change, despite owner dispute
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle owner mentions two other recalls (fuel line and airbags) on same vehicle
Engine knock, oil light, engine light, white smoke from exhaust
While driving, engine began knocking with audible noise. Oil and engine warning lights illuminated. White smoke observed from tailpipe. Oil change did not resolve issue. Engine light persists; vehicle runs very slowly. Owner afraid to drive on road.
When: Occurred while driving; owner performed oil change but issue persisted
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking noise; Oil warning light; Engine warning light; White smoke from tailpipe; Sluggish engine performance
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change attempted but ineffective
Electrical harness failure affecting console and door lock
Traction warning lights led to diagnosis of electrical harness issue. After almost 5 months in dealer service with no resolution, vehicle returned in worse condition. Console controls (AC, heat, defrost, radio, backup camera) non-functional. Driver side door will not open with key fob or manually; door frame shows signs of prying. Dealer unable to explain failures and ordered only the door part without addressing electrical cause.
When: Traction warning lights first noticed; vehicle in service for approximately 5 months (July 30–December 16, 2022)
Symptoms owners cite: Traction warning lights; Console controls inoperative (AC, heat, defrost, radio, backup camera); Driver side door lock malfunction; Door frame damage with signs of forced entry
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical harness identified as cause; dealer ordered replacement door part only; root cause unresolved. Vehicle in worse condition after extended service period.
Engine compartment fire while driving
While driving at highway speeds, owner heard a loud pop. Vehicle lost power, flames erupted from engine. Complete vehicle destruction within approximately 2 minutes. Purchased May 23, 2018; failure occurred shortly thereafter.
When: Failure occurred shortly after purchase (May 23, 2018)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop; Loss of power; Fire flames from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; entire vehicle destroyed in fire
Crank sensor failure diagnosed, then engine harness failure diagnosed
Vehicle would not run properly. Dealership diagnosed crank sensor failure and charged $900 to replace it. After repair, vehicle still did not run correctly. Dealership then diagnosed engine harness failure and quoted $3,400 for replacement. Owner questions whether dealership is replacing components rather than actually troubleshooting and repairing root cause.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle running poorly; Recurrent issues after crank sensor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: $900 crank sensor replacement; $3,400 engine harness replacement quoted. Owner suspects parts replacement rather than root-cause repair.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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…
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
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…
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.
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
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,…
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Kia Sportage?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 53,860 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Kia/Sportage.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.