2015 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year centre on the engine: owners describe knocking noises, oil loss and sudden loss of power, often followed by a diagnosis that the engine has to be replaced. These reports are spread across the whole mileage range, from under 20,000 miles to well past 130,000, so they are not limited to high-mileage cars. A smaller but consistent group of complaints covers brakes and electrical behaviour.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, oil loss and seizure (engine replacement)

   • 45 complaints (31%)
   • median 95,861 mi at 6.9 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe a knocking or clanking noise from the engine bay, sometimes with the check engine or oil light coming on, followed by loss of power or a stall. Several complaints say a mechanic or the dealer then found the engine had seized, that there was little or no oil in it, or metal in the oil, and that a replacement engine was needed. In some cases owners report being told the repair was tied to a campaign or recall that had not been completed, or that coverage was declined because the car was bought used. Reported from roughly 17,000 miles up to about 150,000 miles, with many between 60,000 and 130,000.

   Recall 18V9070005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for any knock at cold start and on a test drive, and check the oil level and condition before buying. Ask whether the knock sensor detection software update and any engine-related campaign were completed, and get the service history in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The engine began knocking on a crowded roadway. The Kia dealership noted an engine recall, but that engine replacement claim was denied because a KSDS sensor update was not completed prior because the corporate office did not have my updated address, and I never got the recall letter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11564222, filed 2024-01, 150,000 miles

   “My car stalled and emit a large cloud of exhaust when stopped at a stop light with no prior indication of any kind of problem. Kia has now told me I need a full engine replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326407, filed 2020-05, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 34 complaints (23%)
   • median 60,181 mi at 5.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or dropping power with little warning, at lights, on inclines and at highway speeds, sometimes with the check engine light flashing or steady. Some say the car restarted after a wait and others say it would not restart at all; dealers in several complaints reported finding nothing or pointed to ignition, sensor or valve cover gasket work without resolving it. Spread from about 20,000 to 140,000 miles, with many reports in the 40,000 to 90,000 range.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the car has ever stalled or hesitated and whether any stored fault codes were read. A pre-purchase scan for pending engine codes and a highway test drive are worth doing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have an issue with my car stalling when I press the gas I can start to go and then come to a dead stop and not move this has happened when pulling on a main hwy and has happened just driveing down the road... It stalls and feels like the gears are not changing this is an everyday thing but I was told to take the eco off but has not helped. This occurs daily since I december 2016”

   NHTSA complaint #10971108, filed 2017-04, 20,000 miles

   “I was driving on the freeway at 65 MPH in the slow lane when the check engine light suddenly came on, then all the service lights lit up and the car began losing power. Luckily, I was coming to an offramp and was able to make it to the end of the offramp (signal) before the car died completely. We had to push the car out of the road and around the corner to a curb as we were blocking one side of the offramp. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11022956, filed 2017-09, 43,800 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine bay fire or smoke

   • 24 complaints (16%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   A number of complaints describe smoke or flames from the engine compartment, in some cases while parked and in others while driving, often after a burning smell. Owners report total losses after these events and that the vehicle lost power steering or braking beforehand. Reported from about 2,000 miles up to roughly 100,000 miles.

   Recall 22V051000Recall 18V907000

   What to check: Confirm whether the hydraulic electronic control unit recall (22V051000) was performed and that the part was actually installed. Look for signs of heat or melted wiring under the hood and ask about any smell of burning.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Drove vehicle approx 10 minutes smelled a burning smell, thought it was the vehicle driving in next lane, about 5 minutes later while stopped at a red light light, I noticed the heavy smoke coming from engine, I exited vehicle and just 1-2 minutes engine was fully engulfed in flames.”

   NHTSA complaint #11040471, filed 2017-10, 42,000 miles

   “The 2015 Kia Sportage was in the parking lot at the medical center where my wife had a doctor appointment. She was inside approximately 10-15 minutes when an announcement was made about a red Kia in the parking lot. When she looked, it was her car & the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The police and fire department were already on scene & the fire was extinguished. The car was a total loss.”

   NHTSA complaint #11078775, filed 2018-03, 20,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 115,754 mi at 7.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2024

   Several owners report the car using large amounts of oil between changes, in one case about a quart a day, with no visible leak and no warning light before problems appeared. Complaints describe the low oil level being discovered only when the car was already running badly, and mechanics recommending engine replacement. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 18V9070008 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the dipstick before and after a test drive and look for a fuel or burnt smell in the oil. Ask the seller how much oil is added between changes and whether an oil consumption test was ever done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2015 Kia Sportage with 148,898 miles on it. Never had any problems, I kept up with maintenance of the vehicle and get oil changes regularly. The last oil change was at 143,122 miles. Four days ago I was driving on the high way and the check engine light and the oil light went on the car started to slow down and I could hear a knock in the engine. I immediately pulled over and got a tow truck to tow me to the closest mechanic. The mechanic said there was no oil in the car at all and it was bone dry but no signs of leaking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11300639, filed 2020-01, 148,000 miles

   “My Kia Sportage drove perfectly fine the past 5 years, out of no where going up a hill it wouldn’t go past 20 mph, was kicking and sputtering. Like it was giving out in a way. I made it home but my check engine light was on. Their was no warning signs, my car ran perfect always. It was very sudden. Had a mechanic look at it and he said a valve from where I put oil in had a leak and caused it to burn up all the oil? Which messed up my motor and needs replaced now. I’m not very good with car specifics but that’s what I was told. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11489224, filed 2022-10
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS module fault and brake noise

   • 24 complaints (16%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners report the ABS and traction control lights coming on and the dealer diagnosing a fault in the ABS control module; some say the repair was not done and connected it to recall 22V051000 even though their vehicle was not included. Other complaints describe abnormal brake noise traced to worn rotors and calipers. Mostly reported from about 75,000 to 95,000 miles.

   Recall 22V051000

   What to check: Check that the ABS and traction control lights go out after start-up and that the brake pedal feels normal. Ask whether the ABS control unit recall has been completed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure was diagnosed as faulty brake rotors, and calipers. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11509333, filed 2023-02, 75,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11467849, filed 2022-06, 85,661 miles

Buying note. Engine-related complaints dominate this model year, so a prepurchase inspection that includes a compression or oil-consumption check and a scan for stored codes is worthwhile. Confirm in writing which open recalls and engine-related campaigns have actually been completed, since several complaints describe coverage being declined when the work was not done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.