Reliable Auto DB

2016 Kia Sportage reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sportage over 11 years — 4 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

131

Per year

4

Recalls

2

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (59 of 131), then Hydraulic brakes (31) and Electrical system (17). The most filings arrived in 2022 (56 of 131). Those filings include 8 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Sportage has 146 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 399 complaints, 29 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

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 2016 Kia Sportage. How we count. Data as of .

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 (131 total)

Engine
59
Hydraulic brakes
31
Electrical system
17
Fuel and propulsion system
9
Powertrain
8
Service brakes
7
Speed control
7
Air bags
5
Steering
4
Structure
4
Engine and engine cooling
3
Exterior lighting
3
Seat belts
2
Visibility
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Forward collision avoidance
1
Seats
1
Suspension
1
Wheels
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

8

Fire-flagged

5

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22016720174201816201942020720215620221120231020248202562026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine failure while driving. The vehicle completely lost acceleration, entered a low-pitched humming 'limp-home mode,' and the dashboard red oil pressure warning…"
    Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-09-11
  • "The knock censor went out, once it was replaced and the oil changed it’s still knocking and unable to drive. Mechanic from out of state looked at it and now said he thinks there’s a problem with in the engine. The car…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-05
  • "Engine failure. The engine completely seized up"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-10
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-02-09
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-02-03

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Kia Sportage SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 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 front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 28 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 2015 Kia Sportage Next year 2017 Kia Sportage See every Kia Sportage model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Kia Sportage reliable?

Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sportage over 11 years — 4 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.

What are common problems with a 2016 Kia Sportage?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (59 of 131), then Hydraulic brakes (31) and Electrical system (17). The most filings arrived in 2022 (56 of 131). Those filings include 8 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Kia Sportage more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Sportage has 146 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 399 complaints, 29 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Kia Sportage been recalled?

The 2016 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 2016 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 131 complaints about the 2016 Kia Sportage with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Kia Sportage get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 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).