Kia Sportage, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Calreyn88, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2020 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2020 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
2
Park-it warnings
2
Complaints
162
Latest campaign
Sep 19, 2022

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsPark‑itLatestCampaign IDs
Trailer hitches11Sep 19, 2022
Service brakes, hydraulic11Mar 4, 2021

Safety recalls2

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
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).

Owner complaints by component162

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
162Complaints filed
11Involving a crash
12Involving a fire
8Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Engine7546161
Unknown or other3119251
Electrical system1912030
Service brakes127211
Structure106002
Engine and engine cooling96010
Steering85100
Fuel/propulsion system74010
Forward collision avoidance64201
Hydraulic64010
Vehicle speed control53302
Power train32000
Exterior lighting32000
Lane departure32100
Air bags32202

10 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

    “Rod Bearing failure June 29,2026 with prior Kia manufacturer recalls June 19,2023: (1.) SC206, HECU fire Recall, a serious safety recall regarding the Hydraulic Electronic Control unit.”

    Filed 10/12/2026 · ODI 11770638
  • Engine

    “My daughter's 2020 Kia Sportage S was purchased September 22, 2025 from a Nissan Dealership with 96,574 miles on it. It dove great.”

    Filed 09/27/2026 · ODI 11767293
  • Power train

    “High oil consumption burning a quart of oil every 500-600 miles.”

    Filed 09/06/2026 · ODI 11762437

Other Kia Sportage model years

Other Kia models

2020 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2020 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 2020 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 75 complaints out of 162 filed with NHTSA (46%). Across all complaints, owners reported 11 crashs and 12 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2020 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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