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EnginePart report

2015 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

Complaints
84about this part
Share
58%of 146 total for the year
Median mileage
91,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 84 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Kia Sportage, 58% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“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

“I was getting off of the interstate, approaching a stop sign on the off ramp, and my car shut off. I cranked it back up and immediately went to a mechanic. It began making a noise (only when I first pressed on the gas). The mechanic drove it and looked under the hood and quickly determined that there is a problem with the bottom end of my motor.”

NHTSA complaint #11265950, filed 2019-10, 111,000 miles

“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

“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 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

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025713%
20241115%
20233820%
20222146%
20212343%
20207747%
20193752%
20189155%
201722255%
20166246%
20158458%
20147358%
201330179%
201232884%
20117743%
2010210%
20091013%
20081717%
2007810%
20061514%
200511%
200221%
200110%
200021%
199921%
199821%

Other parts of the 2015 Kia Sportage

Brakes
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsElectrical system
18 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 29, 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