The 2018 Kia Sportage has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 522,471 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
TRAILER HITCHES22V7030002022-09-1970,887 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21V1370002021-03-04379,931 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
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…
ENGINE18V9070002018-12-1971,653 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
85
8fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
27
3crashes2fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
19
1crashes1fires
POWER TRAIN
17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
10
2fires
STEERING
9
3crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
SERVICE BRAKES
6
3crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5
Total complaints221
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1. Component or system malfunction & availability component/system failed: an unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident. Available for inspection: no. The…”
“Component/system failed: an unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident. Available for inspection: no. The vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire and…”
“My vehicle broke down on my family 2 hours away. The suv started engine failure with the engine light coming on then the rpm’s reved up to 4000 and started chugging. We stoped at the gas station shut the vehicle off and got it towed home to a local shop. I have the 2.4 engine and less then…”
“At 113,000 my engine failed. It was determined that low compression occurred due to the first cylinder failing. I’ve been having excessive oil consumption since about 60k.”
“Took my car for the theft recall and had it performed, my vehicle was stolen last night and the theft used a usb charging cable to steal it, the recall did not fix this”
“Took my car for the theft recall and had it performed, my vehicle was stolen last night and the theft used a usb charging cable to steal it, the recall did not fix this”
“I received a voluntary emissions update letter from kia, and although it was voluntary, the letter said failure to update could be considered lack of maintenance. The update was performed on xxx at dorsch ford/kia in [xxx]. The vehicle ran poorly from that day forward. I gave it a couple of weeks…”
“I received a voluntary emissions update letter from kia, and although it was voluntary, the letter said failure to update could be considered lack of maintenance. The update was performed on xxx at dorsch ford/kia in [xxx]. The vehicle ran poorly from that day forward. I gave it a couple of weeks…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Kia Sportage as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.