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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Kia Sportage Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 146 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Kia Sportage, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Kia Sportage owner complaints

Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sportage, describing incidents dated February 9, 2015 to July 5, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 84 complaints
  • Service Brakes 31 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 25 complaints
  • Electrical System 18 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
  • Power Train 6 complaints

Of the 146 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 146 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11748764 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11743850 · Filed

    Engine fire which led to explosion and total loss.

  • ODI #11733440 · Filed

    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…

Read all 146 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Kia Sportage in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #22V051000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 2, 2022 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 126,747 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.25% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC227 · Owners notified April 26, 2022

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

NHTSA #18V907000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 71,653 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC172 · Owners notified January 17, 2019 · Vehicles built December 30, 2010 – September 5, 2017 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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. 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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Kia Sportage model years

Check your 2015 Kia Sportage VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Sportage at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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