Vehicles · Insights

2020 Kia Sportage

2020 Kia Sportage: the engine dominates owner complaints

Owners filed 151 complaints with NHTSA. The engine is far and away the most reported area at 45%, and it accounts for 6 of the fires reported across all areas. The electrical system (12%) and brakes (8%) are distant runners-up. No deaths are reported, but several areas are tied to fires or crashes, so the engine deserves the closest look on a test drive and in service records.

Most reported areas

Engine safety 45%
By far the biggest complaint: 68 reports (45%), including 6 fires, 1 crash, and 1 injury. With nearly half of all complaints here and the highest fire count of any area, the engine is the area to scrutinize most.
Electrical System safety 12%
Second most reported: 18 reports (12%), 3 of them involving fire. No crashes or injuries reported, but the fire count makes this worth checking.
Service Brakes safety 8%
12 reports (8%), tied to 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury. A smaller set, but the crash and injury reports make the brakes worth testing carefully.
Structure0 7%
10 reports (7%), with 2 injuries and no crashes or fires. A smaller but recurring complaint area.
Engine And Engine Cooling safety 6%
9 reports (6%), including 1 fire. Reports mention check-engine warnings and overheating, reinforcing the broader engine concern above.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 151 complaints

Track maintenance, recalls, and costs for your Kia, and see this inside the app.

Get Garage Story Maintenance schedule

General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only, not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Studio AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.