Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Kia Sportage recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 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: 54
Latest campaign: Sep 19, 2022

Recall summary by component2

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

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

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).

Buying a used 2021 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 component54

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

54Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

7Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	23	43	0	3	0
Unknown or other	14	26	1	3	0
Engine and engine cooling	7	13	0	1	2
Electrical system	6	11	0	1	2
Power train	4	7	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	2	4	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	4	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	2	4	0	0	0
Trailer hitches	2	4	0	1	0
Structure	1	2	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	2	0	0	0
Visibility	1	2	0	0	0
Equipment	1	2	0	0	0
Lane departure	1	2	1	0	0
Air bags	1	2	1	0	2

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 and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine.”
Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768470
Engine
“My 2021 Kia Sportage is in Limp Mode at 2,000 RPM, and my mechanic confirmed it has the P1326 Knock Sensor code stored. Vin [XXX].”
Filed 09/29/2026 · ODI 11767666
Engine
“The Kia never showed an engine light error or gave a code stating there was a problem. We Change the oil every 3000 miles. There was no oil on the dip stick and the oil was extremely low. The engine seized up today.”
Filed 09/26/2026 · ODI 11767184

Other Kia Sportage model years

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Other Kia models

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2021 Kia Sportage recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 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 2021 Kia Sportage?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 23 complaints out of 54 filed with NHTSA (43%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 7 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 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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