The Lemon Index2016 Kia Sportage.
The 2016 Kia Sportage is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 29 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 36, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Kia Sportage year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 134 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Sportage year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 29K to 106K miles on the car (47 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 56K–114K miles
Recalls 2
- brakes 2022
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vehicle product improvement: engine replacement instructions for dtc p1326 (pi1802w/x)- this…
- ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin provides information…
- Service action: wiring signal interference check & engine noise inspection (sa379) - this…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Takata recall when pulling out into traffic the gas petal sometimes doesn't work. This is a very unsafe condition, because of on coming traffic.
2016 Kia Sportage owner · NHTSA complaint 10850519
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Kia Sportage reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sportage year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Sportage problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (28%), speed control (14%) and airbags (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?
2 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Sportage get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Kia Sportage safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Sportage problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,000 and 106,000 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 47 complaints.
Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Kia Sportage cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Kia Sportage year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2022 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works