Vehicle report

2016 Kia Sportage

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2016 Kia Sportage, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2016 Kia Sportage has 2 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

2

Open recalls

15

Complaints

5

Overall safety

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2016 Kia Sportage recalls (2)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    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.

    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.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.

2016 Kia Sportage safety ratings

5

Overall

5

Front

5

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2016 Kia Sportage owner complaints (15)

  • ENGINE

    Engine failure. The engine completely seized up

  • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

  • ENGINE

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,124.

  • AIR BAGS

    My wife was recently in a car accident and sandwiched between two cars and the airbags didn’t deploy.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

    WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED KNOCKING MAKING NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY TAIL PIPE. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO THE TRICK, THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON, MY CAR DRIVES VERY SLOW NOW. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT ON THE ROAD

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  • ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    2 problems occurred within 1 month from each other: - Kia Sportage engine started to randomly stall. I needed to do a full stop in the middle of the road and restart the car to continue driving. I had 3 stalls happen within 2 weeks before I had time to take it to the dealer. The Kia Dealer held it for over a week and drove it but could not find any issues. They mentioned low oil, which was strange considering I recently replaced it. I also forced the dealer to do ignition tuning which seemed to have resolved the issue. - In a month after the first problem with stalling I experienced issues with the engine of unknown origin (so far). This happened this week. While going downhill cruise control shut off. After that the engine started to decelerate and the amber blinking engine light came off. Transmission started to be jerky. Dropped it off at the dealer again. I was very luck to not get into any major car accidents so far, but I was very close! Smells, sounds, and looks like a potential recall that Kia does not want to recognize.

  • ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I was leaving work and was exiting I97 to enter on 695 and and I accelerated to proceed on 695 and my vehicle lost power, the engine light along with the oil indictor came on, and making a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed and taken to the mechanic and the code read, "Knock sensor." The knock sensor was replaced at $301.85. I was able to drive the vehicle without any problems until Wednesday, June 3, 2025, when going to a doctor's appointment the vehicle's engine came on along with the oil indicator and the power was reduced and I had to pull over again with the same experience. The vehicle was again tested for codes and it then read Camshaft Sensor. This vehicle did not have any ill-performance, bells, dings, whistles or indicator lights until it was actually happening. According to the certified mechanic, this is a defect in the vehicle and although the part may be warranted, it will happen again and buyers will still have to pay for the part and labor, again, to have it fixed. I do not have my invoice on hand, however, I can get another copy.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

    Me and my family were on the way to the beach, as I accelerated on the interstate got to 65 mph, engine light started blinking, car instantly slowed down. Got off on next exit, to check and see what was going on, car started hesitating after acceleration. Was able to get it to an autoshop (O'Reilly's) diagnosis shows knock sensor failure and they told me it has to do with the safety recall, didn't even know the car had a recall on it.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

    Very often, when I put my car into park, it doesn't seem to fully engage, and I either can't remove the key (until I put it back into drive, and then park again), and in some instances I experience a "rollaway" as soon as I remove my foot from the brake pedal. I believe there is already a recall for the Kia Telluride model for this issue.

  • ENGINE

    Have approx 101000 miles on car. It had 54202 when i bought it from A Kia dealer in Gastonia NC who was forced out of ownership because of fraud. The car has been serviced regularly and engine oil changed between 3-5ooo miles. I have put approximately 57000 miles since 2017. I have never had an issue with car until Christmas Eve 2024 when after leaving stop sigh and a turn around panel oil light came on and as i was looking for place to pull over all lights started Flashing and car completely went dead. Had to struggle to steer off road. Dead checked oil level good had it changed less than month temperature was normal Car dead and would not crank. Had to pay 200 on Christmas Eve to get towed to my son’s house which was approximately 15 miles. I had driven over 200+ miles averaging 60-70 mph. Diagnostic code P0014 - B camshaft position timing over - advanced or system performance bank 1. Troubling shooting told Me to replace sensor that might fix problem. I put the $89 sensor in and the car actually started but sounded like it was gonna blow up. Mechanic looked at it and said timing belt loose but he was afraid damage was done to engine and might need new one Am working on getting it towed over 200 miles away to a mechanic that i trust to look at timing system. I’m gonna have approximately $600 dollars spent and really nothing has been done but sensor replaced. After reading these complaints it seems around 100000 miles this has happened to quite a few 2016 Kia Sportages. It looks like people are having no luck with help from dealers. We need help on this. I was lucky it did not completely shut down when i was drivin 70 mph or i could have been killed. Please advise where to go from here

  • ENGINE

    Vehicle went from operating fine to a flashing yellow engine light. Within minutes, the vehicle could not be safely driven. There was a knocking and vibration from the engine.

  • ENGINE

    AS WE WERE DRIVING MY NIECE HOME FROM SCHOOL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM HER HOUSE, THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER TO LET HER OUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT START BACK ON. WE WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, BUT IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. THERE WERE NO MESSAGES OR ANYTHING SAYING SOMETHING WAS WRONG

  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    The car accelerated of its own accord, I had been driving 30-35 miles an hour when it accelerated suddenly and caused me to wreck.

Checking a used Kia Sportage before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2016 Sportage in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Sportage's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2016 Kia Sportage in Alberta:

See other model years of the Kia Sportage, or browse more Kia models.

2016 Kia Sportage — questions and answers

Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have any recalls?+

Our check found 2 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2016 Kia Sportage. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Sportage in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2016 Kia Sportage safe?+

The 2016 Kia Sportage has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2016 Kia Sportage VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Kia free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Kia dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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