2015 Kia Sportage engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V907000Dec 19, 201871,653 vehicles
  ENGINE · 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.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 23, 2026NCEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 2015 Kia Sportage. The manufacturer’s denial is based on the claim that I did not perform the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update in previous years. However, I have officially performed this update at an authorized Kia dealership (Hendrick Kia…

   NHTSA complaint #11733440 · source
2. Filed Jun 3, 2025TXEngine

   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 has responded or completed the recall. I received no notification letter. The vehicle has sat inoperable for years, and I had to stop payments because the engine failed and posed a safety risk. I am requesting NHTSA intervention as Kia has failed to complete…

   NHTSA complaint #11664477 · source
3. Filed May 16, 2025TNElectrical SystemEngine

   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 it did not make previously.

   NHTSA complaint #11661458 · source
4. Filed Feb 14, 2025134,644 miNCTowedBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated that an appointment would be scheduled; however, the contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11642762 · source
5. Filed Jan 11, 2025NYEngine

   We were driving down the highway and without any kind of warning the car lost all power I had to move to the shoulder of the road and wait over 5 hrs for a tow truck and then get a hotel room for the night before we could get a rental car the next morning once they opened. Then, a couple weeks later we had to have the vehicle towed back home to NY since we broke down on [XXX] in PA. Then we had to have it towed to a repair shop and they told me it was rod iron knocking and…

   NHTSA complaint #11635473 · source
6. Filed Aug 2, 202491,000 miWATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized, resulting in damages to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11606196 · source
7. Filed Jun 21, 2024TNElectrical SystemEngine

   I was driving my car and it stalled out and stopped and never cranked back up so I had it pulled in and my mechanic said it was a burnt starter and motor locked up

   NHTSA complaint #11595739 · source
8. Filed May 10, 2024FLEngine

   I purchased the vehicle in February 9, 2024. A week after I purchased it the engine started making a knocking noise. I took the Sportage to Kia of Orange Park as I saw some there were some recalls on the vehicle. I paid to have a full diagnostic done. The gentleman that assisted me reached out to the Kia Corporation to see if they would repair the engine. Kia refused stating that the recall PI1802A - PI1802 (ECU Logic Upgrade KSDA 14- 15 MY) had not been done. This recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11587984 · source
9. Filed Apr 29, 202490,000 miMNEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a cracked rod bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…

   NHTSA complaint #11585942 · source
10. Filed Apr 14, 2024CAEngine

    I took the vehicle in to Kia due to excessive oil consumption. I was told they could not do anything and that I should continue to drive the vehicle. Kia stated that since I am the second owner (purchased at 7,800 miles) that I am not eligible for the original warranty. They stated that if anything were to happen to my engine I would need to provide documentation of oil changes from the first date the vehicle was purchased (which I don't have access to since I am not the…

    NHTSA complaint #11582922 · source
11. Filed Apr 5, 2024111,508 miAREngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact’s son owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced lunging and the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The contact used an ODB scanner to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved DTC codes related for: camshaft timing in cylinder bank 1 advanced, low oil, phaser stuck, faulty sensor, failed valve control solenoid, and worn timing components. The contact had the vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11581345 · source
12. Filed Mar 4, 2024TXEngine

    Having to refill the oil every week ! This has been check over and over and they can’t find nothing my engine needs to be replaced ! Burning way too much oil and costing me too much money to keep refilling.

    NHTSA complaint #11575250 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology