2016 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Sportage, 6% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,000 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.
“The problem started a couple of months after purchasing my car, everytime we would go get a oil change the service facility would tell us that our oil was low and we didn't see how when we would ha e it changed regularly so we was loosing oil and didn't know where back it was leaking on the ground and it wasn't visible when you would look under the hood she we took it to Kia and they stated that they didn't see anything wrong, if the problem continue to bring it back and they would do a diagnostic on the vehicle to get to the problem so I called Kia corporate office they told be that they…”
NHTSA complaint #11331986, filed 2020-07, 145,000 miles“The car hesitated or choked when accelerating to change lanes and a cloudy fume emitted from the rear. This has happened 5 times in the span of 2 weeks, both on freeway and surface streets. Several times came very close to getting rear ended.”
NHTSA complaint #11208679, filed 2019-05, 28,500 miles“The engine of the car just died on me when I was turning right at the intersection. Unknown cause why the engine just died on me. I tried starting it, and it would start and die again. If I start the car and step on the gas, the engine does not die but once I release from the gas, the engine dies and I smell a strong gas odor.”
NHTSA complaint #11289135, filed 2019-12“the car was bought certified used from Galpin Kia which is no longer in business. That location closed down. I had gone 2 times with the same issue and they refused to look under the car & mechanic basically said chill out it’s fine. Sent me to galpin Ford to which I talked to 2 employees and In tears expressed my fear and concern yet was told to relax and nothing was wrong .took to Kia new location 2 times was told to come back and 3rd I refused to leave till it was looked at. …”
NHTSA complaint #11445377, filed 2021-12“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11716724, filed 2026-02, 180,000 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…
- 10169700Dec 4, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCT ACTUATOR ROD LENGTH ADJUSTMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to adjust the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) actuator rod lengths using the…
- 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…
- 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 2016 Kia Sportage
62 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsFuel system
9 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 31, 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