Reliable Auto DB

2021 Kia Sportage reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Kia Sportage has 51 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 6 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 Trailer hitch and Brake control module.

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

51

Per year

6

Recalls

2

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (21 of 51), then Electrical system (6) and Engine and engine cooling (6). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Sportage has 160 complaints, 14 per year, and the 2022 has 46 complaints, 10 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

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 2021 Kia Sportage. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall trailer hitch 2022-09-19 · NHTSA campaign 22V703000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Brake control module 2021-03-04 · NHTSA campaign 21V137000
Summary 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.
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 contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Complaints by component (51 total)

Engine
21
Electrical system
6
Engine and engine cooling
6
Powertrain
4
Exterior lighting
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Trailer hitch
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Air bags
1
Equipment
1
Lane departure
1
Speed control
1
Structure
1
Visibility
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

7

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1202062021620225202342024122025172026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 Kia Sportage. A physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident. The…"
    Powertrain, Structure, Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-09-16
  • "See attached document for complaint."
    Engine and engine cooling, Speed control · filed 2026-08-20
  • "The hose connected on the antifreeze leak into the engine compartment"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-11
  • "On June 14, 2026, the driver experienced sudden rough engine running followed immediately by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle was towed to the selling dealer, which has performed all prior maintenance. The…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-24
  • "The infotainment center screen in my 2021 Kia Sportage is DELAMINATING. The uv gel adhesive that holds the screen is failing. This is a known widespread safety issue as many controls are handled through the infotainment…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-18

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Kia Sportage SUV FWD 5 stars 4 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 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 19 24 21 MPG $3100
Sportage all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 25 23 MPG $2800
Sportage front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Sportage front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500

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 2020 Kia Sportage Next year 2022 Kia Sportage See every Kia Sportage model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?

The 2021 Kia Sportage has 51 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 6 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 Trailer hitch and Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2021 Kia Sportage?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (21 of 51), then Electrical system (6) and Engine and engine cooling (6). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Sportage has 160 complaints, 14 per year, and the 2022 has 46 complaints, 10 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Kia Sportage been recalled?

The 2021 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 2021 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 2021 Kia Sportage with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Kia Sportage get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Kia Sportage is 23.3 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).