2015 Kia Sportage reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2015 Kia Sportage has 146 complaints with NHTSA after 12 years, or 5 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Sportage years here — under the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Hoses and fittings.

2012 Kia Sportage — Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

146

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (84 of 146), then Hydraulic brakes (28) and Electrical system (18). The most filings arrived in 2022 (59 of 146). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 11 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2014 and 2016

The 2014 Sportage has 122 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2016 has 131 complaints, 4 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2016.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2015 Kia Sportage. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall Brake control module 2022-02-02 · NHTSA campaign 22V051000

Summary 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.

Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000

Summary 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.

Complaints by component (146 total)

Engine

Hydraulic brakes

Electrical system

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Air bags

Speed control

Exterior lighting

Service brakes

Steering

Structure

Chest clip, buckle, and harness

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Engine and engine cooling

Fire-related

Visibility

Visibility and wipers

Show 9 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"I own a 2015 Kia Sportage VIN in detail. On 7-2-2026, an authorized Kia dealer completed the anti-theft ignition campaign. Within days of that repair, my daughter was driving at highway speed when the ignition moved…"
Steering, Electrical system · filed 2026-07-07
"Engine fire which led to explosion and total loss."
Engine · filed 2026-06-13
"Unjustified Denial of Engine Warranty Coverage - 2015 Kia Sportage "I am filing this complaint because Kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the Theta II GDI engine) on my…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-04-23
"I own a 2015 Kia Sportage with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 22V051 / SC227B). The vehicle became undriveable years ago due to engine issues. I contacted both the dealership and Kia several times, but no one…"
Engine · filed 2025-06-03
"The car just quit running as I was driving. It would not turn over using jumper cables. I had it towed to a local mechanic where they replaced the starter and the battery. Upon picking it up, it was making noises that…"
Electrical system, Engine · filed 2025-05-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2015 Kia Sportage SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2015 Kia Sportage SUV FWD	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Sportage all-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	All-wheel drive	19	26	22 MPG	$2950
Sportage all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	All-wheel drive	19	24	21 MPG	$3100
Sportage front-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	21	28	23 MPG	$2800
Sportage front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	20	26	23 MPG	$2800
Sportage SX all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	25	21 MPG	$3100
Sportage SX front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	20	26	22 MPG	$2950

Specs and fitment

4th generation (QL), 2012–2021

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 (2.4L and 1.6L turbo where equipped) , 4.8 qt capacity

Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V907000. 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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2014 Kia Sportage Next year 2016 Kia Sportage See every Kia Sportage model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Kia Sportage reliable?

What are common problems with a 2015 Kia Sportage?

Is the 2015 Kia Sportage more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2015 Kia Sportage been recalled?

The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 146 complaints about the 2015 Kia Sportage with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2015 Kia Sportage get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2015 Kia Sportage is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Sportage take?

0W-20 (2.4L and 1.6L turbo where equipped)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-907 cover on the Kia Sportage?

NHTSA campaign 18V907000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Sportage?

4th generation (QL) (2012-2021).