2016 Kia Sportage Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: September 9, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

My 2016 Kia Sportage LX experienced a catastrophic engine seizure on September 9, 2026, at 91,249 miles. My son was returning home on I-95 South in Florida. After exiting at Sample Road and traveling west near Seabra Foods at approximately 40 mph, he first noticed unusual engine noises at an estimated 91,245 miles. He pulled over, immediately called me, and sent a video recording of the noise. I advised him to proceed to Bisbee Auto & Tires, an independent repair facility. The engine completely seized directly in front of its service entrance at 91,249 miles. Most concerning, my son reported NO dashboard warning lights, including the check engine light, before the engine seized, despite Kia's service records confirming that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update had been completed before the failure. KSDS is intended to detect certain vibrations associated with connecting rod bearing damage. I request investigation into why no warning appeared, whether KSDS operated correctly, whether diagnostic code P1326 was recorded, and the actual engine failure mechanism. My son regularly drives on I-95 at 65 mph. Had the engine seized in highway traffic, sudden loss of propulsion could have caused a serious collision, injuries, or death. Bisbee Auto & Tires informed us about potential lifetime engine warranty coverage and directed us to Kia rather than charging approximately $6,000 for an engine replacement. Kia replaced the engine under warranty in September 2026. On October 13, 2026, Kia Corporate confirmed that the replacement was the same engine type but could not identify engineering improvements, revised bearings, or whether it was new or remanufactured. I request NHTSA investigate this engine seizure, the absence of KSDS warnings despite the completed update, similar incidents, and whether additional safety measures are warranted. Service records and video evidence are available upon request.

Incident: September 27, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) and electrical system malfunctioned, causing a severe short circuit, total power collapse, and an engine compartment thermal event (heavy smoke). The vehicle has an open, incomplete federal safety recall (NHTSA 22V051 / Kia SC227) for this exact fire and short-circuit hazard. The vehicle is intact, unmodified, and available for inspection upon request at the dealership. My safety and the safety of other motorists were put at severe risk. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic electrical shutdown while in motion on a public roadway. The sudden loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes created an immediate collision risk. Smoke pouring from under the hood exposed occupants to toxic fumes and an imminent risk of a vehicle fire, forcing an emergency roadside evacuation. The authorized Kia dealership confirmed a total failure. The technician noted the engine is locked up and cannot be rotated manually. The diagnostic report reveals a cascading electrical/system collapse: the starter is completely dead (only clicking), and codes P0014 (Exhaust Camshaft Timing) and P0299 (Turbocharger Underboost) were thrown. This combination of an inoperable starter alongside timing and boost system corruption directly aligns with a sudden, catastrophic voltage drop and short circuit under the hood. The car was inspected by the dealer's technician. They recommend a $12,000 out-of-pocket engine, starter, manifold, and turbo replacement by citing an unrelated, missing class-action software update (KSDS), actively ignoring the open safety recall and the thermal symptoms. There were no long-term warning signs or prior symptoms. The symptoms appeared suddenly and concurrently at the moment of failure. Immediately before the vehicle died, smoke began pouring from the engine compartment, and the dashboard lights flashed before the car died.

Incident: July 1, 2026 · Filed: October 2, 2026

I have a 2016 Kia Sportage Ex with under 71k miles. I’ve reach out the Kia headquarters about my engine in July because my engine has a blow by. My vehicle has never been in an accident and I always keep my engine clean. I always change my oil on time and now I’m having engine failure with under 71k miles??!! I’ve only done local driving and now Kia told me there’s nothing they could do for me because my warranty just expired. This is my Kia and last time buying a Kia!

Incident: September 6, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine failure while driving. The vehicle completely lost acceleration, entered a low-pitched humming 'limp-home mode,' and the dashboard red oil pressure warning light illuminated solidly.The vehicle had previously received the mandatory corporate KSDS software update. A diagnostic check by an authorized Kia dealership officially documented the physical evidence of 'metal debris in the engine oil,' which is the unarguable signature of the defect described in NHTSA Recall campaigns for the Theta II engine block.Despite the physical evidence of connecting rod bearing failure and the active KSDS update, Kia Corporate and the local dealership have issued a flat denial of the Lifetime Warranty engine replacement mandate. This constitutes a direct violation of the safety recall settlement framework."

Incident: June 2, 2026 · Filed: July 5, 2026

The knock censor went out, once it was replaced and the oil changed it’s still knocking and unable to drive. Mechanic from out of state looked at it and now said he thinks there’s a problem with in the engine. The car is sitting in a driveway, 4 hours from a Kia dealership.

Incident: February 27, 2026 · Filed: March 10, 2026

Engine failure. The engine completely seized up

Incident: February 5, 2026 · Filed: February 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Incident: February 3, 2026 · Filed: February 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,124.

Incident: December 2, 2025 · Filed: January 27, 2026

My wife was recently in a car accident and sandwiched between two cars and the airbags didn’t deploy.

Incident: November 18, 2025 · Filed: November 19, 2025

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