2020 Kia Sportage engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

82 owners have reported engine problems with the 2020 Kia Sportage, 52% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 68,060 mi.

Engine complaints
82
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
1
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
68,060 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine73
Engine and engine cooling9

Engine complaints across Kia Sportage years

42006282008312010271302012164612014675420161997920183682202029222022381020247
Engine complaints by model year. The 2020 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k510k–30k130k–60k760k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 27, 2026KSEngine
    My daughter's 2020 Kia Sportage S was purchased September 22, 2025 from a Nissan Dealership with 96,574 miles on it. It dove great. She used it less than 20 miles per day on residential streets to get to and from work and to church on Sunday. It was not used for interstate or freeway driving. By June of 2026, we noticed that it was requiring more oil between oil changes. The oil level was checked at least once every other week to see if more oil needed to be added. We were…
    NHTSA complaint #11767293 · source
  2. Filed Aug 13, 2026TNEngine
    Need an engine replaced for the infamous knocking of the motor from the previous class action but my model isn’t covered. Ridiculous to need a new engine on a less than 5 year old car
    NHTSA complaint #11756803 · source
  3. Filed Aug 13, 2026NJEngine
    While driving on the expressway posted speed 65 was doing 70, left lane driving, suddenly my check engine light started flashing, my oil light came on and my vehicle started slowing down. Acceleration was not an option, causing hazardous conditions to have to put my hazards on and cross two lanes of heavy traffic. Vehicle went into limp mode. Vehicle was caught up on an oil change, and was regularly checked and filled with oil. Oil seemed to have been burning rapidly or just…
    NHTSA complaint #11756628 · source
  4. Filed Jul 13, 2026TXEngine
    NHTSA Complaint Description — Kia Sportage Engine Stall While driving my 2020 Kia Sportage in mid‑June 2026 on I‑45 in Houston, TX, the vehicle suddenly stalled while I was driving, with no warning lights, messages, or symptoms beforehand. This created a dangerous situation because I was in active highway traffic and had to pull over immediately. My oil change was due on 06/02/2026, but even between 06/15–06/20, the vehicle should still have had oil. A car does not lose all…
    NHTSA complaint #11749919 · source
  5. Filed Jul 9, 2026CAEngine
    I bought vehicle used from a Honda dealership at 51,000 miles. At 55,000 my engine broke, mechanics found metal fragments in my engine. The Honda dealer nor Kia were willing to do nothing. So I had purchase new engine at 12,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11749399 · source
  6. Filed Jun 15, 2026ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. I was able to safely pull to the side of the road. The engine would not restart. Upon inspection, the engine was found to be completely out of oil despite being maintained according to recommended oil change intervals and not being overdue for service. There were no visible oil leaks under the vehicle and no prior low oil warning light or oil pressure warning light was observed before the failure. The vehicle had…
    NHTSA complaint #11744353 · source
  7. Filed Jun 15, 202673,000 miTNEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was advised that it was normal for the vehicle to use a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer every 1,000 miles. The failure became a persistent failure. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an…
    NHTSA complaint #11744142 · source
  8. Filed May 22, 2026KSEngine
    The car shook and lights came on at a stop light and began violently knocking. Since it was at a stop light the safety was a risk had the hazard lights weren't engaged immediately. The dealer confirmed it was a catastrophic engine failure. An inspector for the warranty company was deployed two times. The lights only appeared at the time of engine failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11739472 · source
  9. Filed May 14, 2026AREngine
    1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle rapidly burns through engine oil between oil changes without visible external leaks. The condition appears related to the engine lubrication and internal engine components. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The excessive oil…
    NHTSA complaint #11737892 · source
  10. Filed May 14, 2026FLEngine
    In October of 2025 my husband noticed that our car was idling roughly and checked that there was plenty of oil in the system. The dipstick was pretty much empty so my husband added approximately 3 quarts of oil to bring it up to a little over half. After a thousand miles he checked to make sure it was still holding stead just in case. When he did so the dip stick again showed nearly empty. On approximately October 13, 2025 we took our vehicle into the local Kia Service…
    NHTSA complaint #11737806 · source
  11. Filed Apr 5, 2026CTEngine
    I respectfully request that NHTSA review this issue for potential safety related defect trends involving excessive oil consumption that progress to catastrophic engine failure in 2020 Kia Sportages equipped with the 2.4L engine. The vehicle consumed oil at an abnormal rate between oil changes despite routine maintenance and regular oil level checks, and the condition ultimately resulted in a non-operational vehicle. Over the months leading up to the failure, I was forced to…
    NHTSA complaint #11729273 · source
  12. Filed Apr 2, 2026FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Vehicle: 2020 Kia Sportage Issue: Excessive Oil Consumption — TSB #TSB_ENG222 I am reporting a recurring issue involving excessive engine oil consumption in my 2020 Kia Sportage. The engine is consuming oil at an abnormal rate between scheduled oil changes, requiring me to add approximately 2.5 quarts of oil every month to maintain safe operating levels. This issue first began approximately 6 months ago and has been ongoing since. The affected component is the engine system,…
    NHTSA complaint #11728809 · source

Other 2020 Kia Sportage problem areas

  • Other / Unknown (31)
  • Electrical System (19)
  • Body & Structure (13)
  • Brakes (11)
  • Steering (8)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (8)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (8)
  • Visibility & Wipers (5)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (5)
  • Airbags (3)
  • Lighting (3)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (3)
  • Wheels & Tires (2)
  • Suspension (1)

Back to all 2020 Kia Sportage problems →

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