KIA Sportage Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 480 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the KIA Sportage across 27 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (79). The words owners use most often: “cooling fan” (5% of reports).
- 480engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cooling fan: mentioned in 25 of 480 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 187 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 480 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 19 a fire, 8 an injury.
KIA Sportage engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% | 262,000 |
| 2023 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 120,100 |
| 2022 Sportage | 1 | 2% | 97,000 |
| 2021 Sportage | 7 | 13% | 85,000 |
| 2020 Sportage | 9 | 6% | 73,000 |
| 2019 Sportage | 2 | 3% | 92,500 |
| 2018 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 2017 Sportage | 8 | 2% | 80,000 |
| 2016 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 120,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 70,000 |
| 2014 Sportage | 2 | 2% | 134,500 |
| 2013 Sportage | 14 | 4% | 112,000 |
| 2012 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 195,500 |
| 2011 Sportage | 7 | 4% | 22,416 |
| 2008 Sportage | 5 | 5% | 13,811 |
| 2007 Sportage | 2 | 3% | 54,675 |
| 2006 Sportage | 8 | 7% | 33,000 |
| 2005 Sportage | 4 | 6% | 38,500 |
| 2003 Sportage | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2002 Sportage | 69 | 29% | 61,450 |
| 2001 Sportage | 45 | 20% | 40,056 |
| 2000 Sportage | 45 | 15% | 59,250 |
| 1999 Sportage | 79 | 28% | 50,280 |
| 1998 Sportage | 79 | 26% | 58,000 |
| 1997 Sportage | 56 | 31% | 104,000 |
| 1996 Sportage | 10 | 18% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 14 | 25% | 111,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades. The centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.
Risk: Separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on june 11, 2007. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and checked the oil…
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, there was an alert on the instrument panel that stating "Warning - System Overheating". The contact checked the coolant level, and the level was at the operational level; however, the…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH on the highway, the engine and oil check warning light was illuminated. The Kia App alerted the driver to check the engine when convenient. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the drain plug detached, and oil started leaking from the oil pan. The accelerator was depressed, but the vehicle failed to move and stalled while driving on the highway. The vehicle failed to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 480 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the KIA Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “cooling fan”, in 25 of 480 complaints.
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (192)
See all KIA Sportage problems.