2015 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 146 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,090miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Kia Sportage, 4% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,090 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While entering the 290 from downtown chicago driving at a speed of 50 miles an hour we felt a pulse and then an audible voice came over our radio with a display illuminating as well stating that there was a possible condition with our engine control system detected and that we should schedule a full system check with the Kia dealership. This was followed by the engine light coming on and the inability to accelerate at all. With the location of the incident there was an extreme danger of collision as there was no way to safely and effectively come out of the immediate situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836265, filed 2016-02, 19,312 miles“When I accelerate sometimes the car will jerk and the engine will try to stall. The car will still go but starts to sputter and start to lose power. You have to pull over and shut the engine off and set there for a bit and restart the engine and it may do it again 2 or 3 more times and it might not do it for awhile. But very dangerous when pulling out into traffic. It will also do it when you try to speed up to pass or just gain speed”
NHTSA complaint #11355082, filed 2020-09, 70,000 miles“Unjustified Denial of Engine Warranty Coverage - 2015 Kia Sportage I am filing this complaint because Kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the Theta II GDI engine) on my 2015 Kia Sportage. The manufacturer’s denial is based on the claim that I did not perform the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update in previous years. However, I have officially performed this update at an authorized Kia dealership (Hendrick Kia of Cary) on April 17, 2026. …”
NHTSA complaint #11733440, filed 2026-04“The contact’s son owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced lunging and the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The contact used an ODB scanner to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved DTC codes related for: camshaft timing in cylinder bank 1 advanced, low oil, phaser stuck, faulty sensor, failed valve control solenoid, and worn timing components. …”
NHTSA complaint #11581345, filed 2024-04, 111,508 miles“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate as designed. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. Additionally, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact continued driving until the vehicle independently slowed down and she was able to shift into the park positin. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11499911, filed 2023-01, 60,181 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10242913Sep 25, 2023PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10173528Mar 24, 2020VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SC185): ENGINE CONTROL MODULE UPDATE - CAMPAIGN STICKER - this sticker is placed in the engine compartment of the vehicle once the Emissions…
- 10168851Nov 8, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - PARTIAL REPAIR OF 4WD COUPLING - This bulletin provides the procedure information regarding the partial repair of the Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Coupling…
- 10145156Sep 24, 2018PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) - TSB - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to…
- 10143474Jul 25, 2018Q & A - This document is the Q & A for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the…
- 10143472Jul 16, 2018DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer service manager of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 19 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 18 | 11% |
| 2017 | 41 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 12% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 57 | 20% |
| 1998 | 63 | 21% |
| 1997 | 25 | 14% |
| 1996 | 11 | 19% |
| 1995 | 4 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2015 Kia Sportage
84 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsFuel system
7 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 Nov 1, 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