Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 181
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	2	–	Jun 9, 2015	15V360000 13V114000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Sep 25, 2023	23V652000
Engine	1	–	Feb 15, 2019	19V101000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Engine and engine cooling	1	–	Mar 31, 2017	17V224000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202323V652000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000 What's wrong Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. Risk An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284. Campaign NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Feb 15, 201919V101000	Engine A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V101000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage. Risk A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174. Campaign NHTSA 19V101000 · Feb 15, 2019
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Mar 31, 201717V224000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V224000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017
Jun 9, 201515V360000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping,… DetailsHide details for campaign 15V360000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail. Risk Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121. Campaign NHTSA 15V360000 · Jun 9, 2015
Apr 1, 201313V114000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V114000 What's wrong Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate. Risk Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098. Campaign NHTSA 13V114000 · Apr 1, 2013

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 Kia Sportage? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component181

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

181Complaints filed

7Involving a crash

8Involving a fire

8Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	77	43	2	2	0
Electrical system	38	21	0	3	0
Service brakes	25	14	3	2	1
Unknown or other	23	13	0	2	2
Power train	23	13	2	0	1
Exterior lighting	12	7	0	0	0
Hydraulic	12	7	0	2	0
Vehicle speed control	10	6	0	0	0
Steering	9	5	1	0	1
Engine and engine cooling	7	4	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	7	4	0	1	0
Suspension	5	3	0	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	5	3	0	0	0
Structure	5	3	0	0	1
Air bags	4	2	2	0	2

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Suspension
“Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off.”
Filed 06/20/2026 · ODI 11745422
Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall.”
Filed 06/17/2026 · ODI 11744681
Unknown or other
“Update to NHTSA (ODI #11679186) Subject: Update to ODI Complaint #11679186 – Kia America Written Response Body: Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to provide an update to my ODI Complaint #11679186…”
Filed 08/28/2025 · ODI 11683570

Other Kia Sportage model years

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2011 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Sportage. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 Kia Sportage recalls for?

The largest group is exterior lighting, with 2 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (1), engine (1), fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 77 complaints out of 181 filed with NHTSA (43%). Across all complaints, owners reported 7 crashs and 8 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Kia Sportage?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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