2016 Kia Sportage problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 131 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sportage, filed between 2016-03-19 and 2026-09-11. The most common problem areas are the engine (59, 45%), service brakes, hydraulic (31, 24%) and electrical system (17, 13%). Owners reported 8 crashes, 5 fires and 8 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Kia Sportage complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 59 | 45% | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 31 | 24% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 13% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 7% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 8 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 5% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 5% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Steering | 4 | 3% | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 59 complaints
- 59 complaints of 131 (45%) name the engine.
- 7 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 3 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Service brakes, hydraulic: 31 complaints
- 31 complaints of 131 (24%) name the service brakes, hydraulic — the hydraulic foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Kia Sportage; the recall, campaign 22V051000, says: “The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.”
Electrical system: 17 complaints
- 17 complaints of 131 (13%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 7 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 9 complaints
- 9 complaints of 131 (7%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 5 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Power train: 8 complaints
- 8 complaints of 131 (6%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 3 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Service brakes: 7 complaints
- 7 complaints of 131 (5%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Kia Sportage; the recall, campaign 22V051000, says: “The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SPORTAGE, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Kia Sportage recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sportage?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Kia Sportage's most common problem areas are the engine (59 of 131 complaints), service brakes, hydraulic (31 of 131 complaints) and electrical system (17 of 131 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 131 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sportage, including 8 reported crashes and 5 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Kia Sportage's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Kia Sportage; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.