KIA Sportage Fuel/propulsion System Problems
Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA about fuel/propulsion system problems on the KIA Sportage across 26 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (21). The words owners use most often: “fuel tank” (13% of reports).
- 172fuel/propulsion system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 54%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.
- Fuel tank: mentioned in 22 of 172 complaints (13%)
At what mileage do fuel/propulsion system problems happen?
Based on 79 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 172 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 4 an injury.
KIA Sportage fuel/propulsion system complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel/propulsion System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 4 | 15% | — |
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 Sportage | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 12 | 6% | — |
| 2022 Sportage | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2021 Sportage | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Sportage | 7 | 4% | — |
| 2019 Sportage | 7 | 10% | 8,000 |
| 2018 Sportage | 11 | 7% | 13,000 |
| 2017 Sportage | 21 | 5% | 20,598 |
| 2016 Sportage | 9 | 7% | 64,050 |
| 2015 Sportage | 7 | 5% | — |
| 2014 Sportage | 6 | 5% | 60,500 |
| 2013 Sportage | 7 | 2% | 16,928 |
| 2012 Sportage | 6 | 2% | 79,562 |
| 2011 Sportage | 7 | 4% | 100,080 |
| 2009 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 87,050 |
| 2008 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2006 Sportage | 4 | 4% | 177,900 |
| 2005 Sportage | 6 | 9% | 142,500 |
| 2002 Sportage | 20 | 9% | 96,292 |
| 2001 Sportage | 8 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 2000 Sportage | 12 | 4% | 120,003 |
| 1999 Sportage | 1 | 0% | 333,000 |
| 1998 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 1997 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists fuel/propulsion system for the KIA Sportage. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My 2024 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige has experienced at least 3 intermittent, unexpected engine shutdowns while driving or in traffic. The cause remains unidentified. The first occurred before [XXX] (exact date unknown). While stopped at a red light in Drive, I realized the vehicle had completely…
Shortly after driving away, before reaching a highway on-ramp, I noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. I turned around and returned to the location. By the time I arrived, the vehicle was emitting black smoke, and shortly after, it was fully engulfed in fire before I could retrieve a fire…
While adaptive cruise was engaged, the vehicle read Alabama highway 80 west state road sign and incorrectly interpreted the sign for a speed limit sign which is 55 MPH.The vehicle displayed a â80 MPHâ speed limit sign on the instrument cluster and then began to accelerate. When I took it to the…
On June 14, 2026, the driver experienced sudden rough engine running followed immediately by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle was towed to the selling dealer, which has performed all prior maintenance. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. Technician…
After fueling, vehicle idled fine with no warning lights. Once pulling onto the highway and making highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration, and was stranded in the highway. We required the assistance of law enforcement to direct traffic. It was 10pm and the temperatures were 35…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have fuel/propulsion system problems?
No. NHTSA has 172 owner complaints about fuel/propulsion system 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 fuel/propulsion system?
No recall currently lists fuel/propulsion system for this vehicle.
What do owners say about fuel/propulsion system problems on the KIA Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel tank”, in 22 of 172 complaints.
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.