Recalled components: brakes and fuel system. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (21 complaints, 16%). Most-reported area: engine (62 complaints, 46%; median mileage when it happened: 82,100).
Fewer complaints than a typical Sportage year
The 2016 drew 13 owner complaints in its first three years, against 36 for a typical Sportage year. It is not picked as a best year: it has a recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside until it is repaired.
Years to avoid: 2017 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 recall is SC227.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
NHTSA listing: SPORTAGE. Components: Engine; Fuel system: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Kia campaign SC172.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2016 Kia Sportage apart from an audit query, which reviews a company's recall and reporting duties rather than the vehicle.
What owners report
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Sportage. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 82,100 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Brakes38 · 28%
Electrical system17 · 13%
Fuel and propulsion system9 · 7%
Powertrain8 · 6%
Speed control7 · 5%
Air bags5 · 4%
Unknown or other18 · 13%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Sportage recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2016 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2023 Sportage drew the most (244) and the 2016 drew 13.
Owner complaints
2016: 134 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Sportage
Model year
Complaints
2010
20
2011
181
2012
392
2013
381
2014
125
2015
146
2016
134
2017
404
2018
166
2019
71
2020
169
2021
54
2022
47
2023
313
2024
110
2025
76
2026
44
Safety recalls
2016: 2 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Sportage
Model year
Recalls
2010
2
2011
6
2012
5
2013
3
2014
3
2015
2
2016
2
2017
4
2018
3
2019
2
2020
2
2021
2
2022
1
2023
7
2024
3
2025
1
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Sportage, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (21), stalling or shutting off (15), and loss of power or limp mode (15). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2016 Kia Sportage safe?
In NHTSA crash tests the 2016 Kia Sportage earns 4 to 5 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2016 Kia Sportage?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2016 Kia Sportage apart from an audit query, which reviews a company's recall and reporting duties rather than the vehicle.
How do I check if my Sportage has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: SPORTAGE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.