Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Sportage, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine23
- Unknown or other14
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Electrical system6
- Power train4
- Exterior lighting2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Trailer hitches2
- Lane departure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 31 2021 Sportage vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 18 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Kia Sportage failed the safety check 0.92% of the time — 2% less often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 23,397 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2021
61,294 new Kia Sportage cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Italy (10,274), Spain (10,232), Germany (7,685).
- Average mass
- 1,579 kg
- Average CO₂
- 161 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 105 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 51% · Petrol 49%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
5,541 Kia Sportage cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 8.6 l/100 km on the road against 7.6 in the WLTP test (+13%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,306 | 8.6 | 7.6 | +13% |
| Diesel | 726 | 5.1 | 5.7 | −11% |
| Diesel hybrid | 509 | 5.5 | 6.0 | −9% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2021 Kia Sportage cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 petrol (130 kW, 174 hp), 1.6 petrol (97 kW, 130 hp) and 1.6 hybrid (100 kW, 134 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 130 kW 174 hp | 334 |
| 1.6 petrol | 97 kW 130 hp | 167 |
| 1.6 hybrid | 100 kW 134 hp | 27 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
539 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 37% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €39,462.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde178
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld49
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht35
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm24
- Band onvoldoende profiel21
- Band beschadigd9
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage8
- Mistlicht voor onjuist afgesteld8
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
26,605 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 93 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,780 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 88% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 4.7% | 1.6% |
| Brakes | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| Tyres | 2.1% | 3.3% |
| Suspension | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.2% | 0.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
294 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 64,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
2,074 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 14.7 % |
| 2021 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 15.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 9.0–11.0 L/100 km (about 21–26 mpg US), CO₂ 214–261 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.1 | 7.6 | 9.0 |
| Sportage AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.7 | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Sportage AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 9.6 | 11.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Kia Sportage.
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2021187 23 Mar 2021 | Other Issue: On certain vehicles, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. As of Septembe… |
| 2021123 8 Mar 2021 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem in the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) could cause it to short circuit. Note: This recall does not … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2021 Kia Sportage: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11001593 | 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, |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10250517 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - 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 update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti |
| 10242913 | PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause. |
| 10240563 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - 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 update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 7. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated |
| 10240241 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to |
| 10239712 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & 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 Dec 10, 2015 through Dec 7, 2021, which may no |
| 10239108 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 6. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature. |
| 10238482 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: REAR COMBINATION LAMP INSPECTION AND SOFTWARE UPGRADE - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect, and if necessary, replace the rear combination lamp holder and wire harness, and update the software logic of the Smart Junction Block (SJB) system on some 2020-2022MY Sportage (QL) vehicles produced from December 27, 2018 through December 7, 2021 equipped with a halogen bulb taillamp assembly. In some vehicles, the Master Warning Light may illuminate and display the message "Check brake light" on the instrument cluster, even if the brake light bulb is wo |
| 10236641 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & 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 Dec 10, 2015 through Dec 7, 2021, which may no |
| 10235104 | PIT STOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W AND DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - 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 Pitstop contains information regarding the log file collection procedure for 2020MY~ models equipped with AVN 5.0/W or Display Audio 2.0 head units. |
| 10233650 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & 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 Dec 10, 2015 through Dec 7, 2021, which may no |
| 10231839 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a |
| 10230883 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a |
| 10230881 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & 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 Dec 10, 2015 through Dec 7, 2021, which may no |
| 10230879 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - 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 Dec 10, 2015 through Dec 7, 2021, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation. |
| 10226555 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2. |
| 10220346 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - 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 on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equi |
| 10217892 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster. The KDS is required to change the setting from "Workshop" to "Customer Mode." |
| 10217891 | PITSTOP: REAR OCCUPANT ALERT (ROA) W/REAR DOOR LOGIC - 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 Pitstop provides information regarding the Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with Rear Door Logic system on all 21MY~ models equipped with this feature. This system is designed to help prevent a rear passenger from being left inside the vehicle when exiting. The "Check Rear Seats" message will display on the cluster when driver opens the front door, if during vehicle operation the rear doors |
| 10216875 | PITSTOP: PARASITIC BATTERY DRAW/ALARM WARNING W/ ILLUMINATED DOOR SILL PLATES ACCESSORY - This Pitstop provides information regarding a parasitic battery draw concern on some 2020-2022MY Sportage (QL) vehicles equipped with Illuminated door sill plates accessory installed (LH and RH sides), which may cause the battery power to drain, and in some cases exhibit the alarm system/horn warning to sound off. |
| 10210220 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PANORAMIC SUNROOF INOPERATIVE AND/OR ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN OPERATING - This bulletin provides information to improve the operation of the panoramic sunroof on some 2017-2022MY Sportage (QL) vehicles, produced from December 10, 2015 through December 7, 2021, which may exhibit slow, noisy, or inoperative sunroof operation caused by dust or dirt intrusion into the sunroof track mechanism. Vehicles driven in dusty environments with a high concentration of sand or dirt in the air, may accumulate debris into the sunroof mechanism causing friction. |
| 10205425 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - 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 on the inspection and replacement of the front camera on some vehicles. Due to an internal control chip concern inside the camera, the vehicle may exhibit a Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Warning Lamp (A) and/or Master Warning Lamp (B) with C160449 and/or C160649 codes. Certain systems may become temporarily disabled dur |
| 10202226 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - 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 regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia m |
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - 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 relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation