The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Sportage · 2021
2021 Kia Sportage. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 | Regular | $2,700 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 | Regular | $2,950 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 21 / 25 / 23 | Regular | $2,700 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,800 and 85,000 miles. Median 53,000, from 13 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 85,000 | 55,200–107,200 | 6 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 9% |
| Trailer hitches | 9% |
| Electrical | 9% |
| Airbags | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
22V703000 Sep 2022 Trailer Hitches
Defect. 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.
21V137000 Mar 2021 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module
Defect. 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
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Hyundai and kia abs module fires | 2023 | – |
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 68
Kia filed 68 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- Technical service bulletin: front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation -…
- AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Standard |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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