Representative model. Photo: Areaseven, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 134
Latest campaign: Feb 2, 2022

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Feb 2, 2022	22V051000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 2, 2022Latest campaign


Feb 2, 202222V051000	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 22V051000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire. 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227. Campaign NHTSA 22V051000 · Feb 2, 2022
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

Feb 2, 202222V051000

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 22V051000

What's wrong: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V051000 · Feb 2, 2022

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

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 2016 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 component134

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

134Complaints filed

8Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

8Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	62	46	0	3	1
Service brakes	38	28	1	1	0
Hydraulic	31	23	0	0	0
Unknown or other	18	13	0	0	0
Electrical system	17	13	0	1	0
Fuel/propulsion system	9	7	0	1	0
Power train	8	6	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	7	5	2	0	1
Air bags	5	4	5	0	6
Structure	4	3	0	1	0
Steering	4	3	2	1	3
Exterior lighting	3	2	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	3	2	0	0	0
Visibility	2	1	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	2	1	0	0	0

5 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

Engine
“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.”
Filed 10/13/2026 · ODI 11770932
Engine
“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).”
Filed 10/08/2026 · ODI 11769944
Engine
“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.”
Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768427

Other Kia Sportage model years

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Other Kia models

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2016 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sportage. The most recent, 22V051000 (reported February 2, 2022), 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 is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 62 complaints out of 134 filed with NHTSA (46%). Across all complaints, owners reported 8 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 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.

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