Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 2
Complaints: 164
Latest campaign: Sep 19, 2022

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Trailer hitches	1	1	Sep 19, 2022	22V703000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Mar 4, 2021	21V137000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

2Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 19, 2022Latest campaign


Sep 19, 202222V703000	Trailer hitches A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 22V703000 What's wrong 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. Risk A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249. Campaign NHTSA 22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Mar 4, 202121V137000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 21V137000 What's wrong 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. Risk An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206. Campaign NHTSA 21V137000 · Mar 4, 2021
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

Sep 19, 202222V703000

Trailer hitches

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Park outside, away from structures

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V703000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022

Mar 4, 202121V137000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Park outside, away from structures

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V137000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Campaign: NHTSA 21V137000 · Mar 4, 2021

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 2018 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 component164

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

164Complaints filed

7Involving a crash

12Involving a fire

5Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	91	55	0	9	1
Electrical system	29	18	3	3	1
Unknown or other	19	12	1	1	0
Power train	18	11	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	11	7	0	3	0
Service brakes	11	7	3	0	1
Steering	9	5	3	0	1
Vehicle speed control	8	5	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	6	4	0	0	0
Structure	6	4	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	5	3	0	0	0
Hydraulic	5	3	0	0	0
Seats	4	2	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	4	2	0	0	0
Trailer hitches	3	2	0	1	2

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
“The vehicle suffered a primary connecting rod bearing failure covered under the Theta II class action warranty campaign. A brand-new warranty engine long-block was installed by an authorized dealership.”
Filed 09/19/2026 · ODI 11765480
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 09/10/2026 · ODI 11763274
Power train
“Purchased my Kia on the XXX then on the XXX, My engine light came on and my car went into Safety Mode . I at once took it to Auto Zone and their test came back with P1326 Knock signal range / performance.”
Filed 08/16/2026 · ODI 11757330

Other Kia Sportage model years

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Other Kia models

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2018 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Sportage. The most recent, 22V703000 (reported September 19, 2022), concerns trailer hitches. 2 campaigns carry 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 2018 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 91 complaints out of 164 filed with NHTSA (55%). Across all complaints, owners reported 7 crashs and 12 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 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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