2020 Kia Sportage problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Sportage, filed between 2019-11-19 and 2026-09-06. The most common problem areas are the engine (73, 46%), electrical system (19, 12%) and structure (10, 6%). Owners reported 11 crashes, 12 fires and 8 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2020 Kia Sportage complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 73 | 46% | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 31 | 19% | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 12% | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 6% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 4% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 6 | 4% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 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: 73 complaints
- 73 complaints of 160 (46%) name the engine.
- 9 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash, 6 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Electrical system: 19 complaints
- 19 complaints of 160 (12%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 9 of them also name the engine; owners reported 3 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Structure: 10 complaints
- 10 complaints of 160 (6%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 5 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Engine and engine cooling: 9 complaints
- 9 complaints of 160 (6%) name the engine and engine cooling — the engine and its cooling system.
- Owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Steering: 8 complaints
- 8 complaints of 160 (5%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- Owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints
- 7 complaints of 160 (4%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 4 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 29 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SPORTAGE, model year 2020. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2020 Kia Sportage recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Sportage?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2020 Kia Sportage's most common problem areas are the engine (73 of 160 complaints), electrical system (19 of 160 complaints) and structure (10 of 160 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2020 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Sportage, including 11 reported crashes and 12 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Sportage's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2020 Kia Sportage; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.