2016 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 13%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Kia Sportage, 13% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car wouldn't run right we took it in they said it was the cran sensor charged 900 to fix it. Then that didn't work now it is the engine harness and they want 3400 to fix it. If I say fix it what will be next. They don't want ot repair it just replace”
NHTSA complaint #11253432, filed 2019-09, 72,000 miles“One night I was driving my car and my car all the sudden just quit going so I took it to the Kia dealership and they told me when they put it on the computer that it needed a motor mind you this car only has 60,000 miles on it so I said okay they were going to replace the motor but then they said that I never did an oil change with them which was a lie but I didn't have my receipts so they wouldn't replace my motor plus there's two other recalls on this besides the motor the fuel line and the airbags”
NHTSA complaint #11342820, filed 2020-08, 60,000 miles“My husband and I were driving our 2016 Kia Sportage that we had bought on 05/23/2018 (just made the first payment the day before) to myrtle beach sc, we heard a pop, I lost function to the gas, pulled to the side of the road and popped the hood to find fire flames coming from the engine. We grabbed what we could out of our car and ran as far away as we could. It wasn't even 2 minutes later and the whole car was in flames and everything was destroyed. All that was left was the frame of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11105067, filed 2018-07, 53,200 miles“On march 12 2021 I was on I-4 east toward daytona beach about 70 miles per hour and all of the sudden the engine stahl. I was able to move to the shoulder of the road. The tow truck driver jumped the battery 3 times and the engine didn't start,took it to the dealer kept the car overnight did all necessary checks everything looks fine no problem with the battery or any other thing.. The next day the car start as normal, they did a test drive and everything was ok as if nothing had happened. I went and took the car home and as of this moment it seems to be ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #11402588, filed 2021-03, 68,100 miles“Was driving all of a sudden, the car started knocking making noise, the oil light came on, the engine light came on and white smoke was coming from my tail pipe. I had an oil change, but that didn't do the trick, the engine light still comes on, my car drives very slow now. I'm afraid to take it out on the road”
NHTSA complaint #11700308, filed 2025-11Related service bulletins
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11001593Jun 6, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGREADE $ DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10252085Mar 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 10250838Feb 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10239722Jul 20, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the…
- 10239712Jul 13, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10236641May 22, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10233650Mar 24, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10232566Feb 28, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is a follow-up notification advising that Kia developed a software upgrade that can be installed on your…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 15 | 27% |
| 2024 | 16 | 21% |
| 2023 | 45 | 23% |
| 2022 | 8 | 17% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 20 | 12% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 30 | 18% |
| 2017 | 63 | 16% |
| 2016 | 17 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 | 22 | 6% |
| 2012 | 29 | 7% |
| 2011 | 38 | 21% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 23% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 13 | 17% |
| 2006 | 22 | 20% |
| 2005 | 8 | 12% |
| 2002 | 16 | 7% |
| 2001 | 23 | 10% |
| 2000 | 32 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 14% |
| 1998 | 47 | 16% |
| 1997 | 21 | 12% |
| 1996 | 7 | 12% |
| 1995 | 8 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Sportage
62 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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