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Electrical systemPart report

2015 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
12%of 146 total for the year
Median mileage
42,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2015 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“My car stalls. It stalls while idling, at a light or while driving on a highway at 65 MPH. Although the last is less common it has happened enough to be frightening. I purchased the car 3 years ago and it stalled upon leaving the dealership. It was in 3 time immediaately. Since then the Kia dealership in coral springs florida has told me they find nothing wrong. Sometimes is seems to backfire before stalling and others stall quietly. It is rare fir the car to get through bumper to bumper traffic without stalling. If I idle for five or six minutes it stalls. …”

NHTSA complaint #11279398, filed 2019-11, 17,000 miles

“My Kia Sportage is having major electric issues with the usb device and radio also lights delay to come on when I turn off vehicle weird sound comes from what sounds like the dash area also when I take my key out of the ignition it still makes the dinging noise like the keys are in the ignition and the door is open and when I shut my hatch sometimes it causes my lights in the back to flash on definitely something wrong with the electrical system and I definitely don't feel safe with my vehicle like this I had did some research and there are other Kia models with electrical recalls for…”

NHTSA complaint #11364764, filed 2020-10, 70,000 miles

“After heavy rain drove through large amount water slowly. Once I got threw the water all of my dashboard lights went off for 6 mins, so I pulled over and checked the switches. They came on, but as drove the smell of wires burning was very heavy in the cabin, I had to open all windows until the smell cleared. There has been frequent news coverage on Kia vehicles catching fire on the highways in georgia. Also, reported that after required repair were done, these cars still caught fire. Still no nationwide acknowledge of this serious problem by the manufacturer. I don't feel safe driving my Kia. …”

NHTSA complaint #11139569, filed 2018-10, 32,400 miles

“Intermittent non starting. Replaced vehicle battery and fob battery. All accessories work but will not start. Press the start button and it will not start and have a hard brake pedal. Will not start even when apply more pressure on the brake pedal. Wait 5 to 10 minutes later and it will start. Been back to the dealer many times and their computer says there is nothing wrong. They can not duplicate the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11311796, filed 2020-02, 58,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
20251527%
20241621%
20234523%
2022817%
2021611%
20202012%
20191115%
20183018%
20176316%
20161713%
20151812%
201486%
2013226%
2012297%
20113821%
201015%
20091823%
20082728%
20071317%
20062220%
2005812%
2002167%
20012310%
20003211%
19994114%
19984716%
19972112%
1996712%
1995814%

Other parts of the 2015 Kia Sportage

Engine
84 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology