2018 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 91about this part
- Share
- 55%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,400miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 91 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Kia Sportage, 55% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,400 miles. 9 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.
“Driving my Kia Sportage (gt line) at about 30-40 miles/hour, descending red hills (jamaica) and without warning the car went dead, all the light comes on the dash and the speed cut drastically. It was scary and I can only imagine if it was on the highway. Afraid to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #11221187, filed 2019-06, 11,000 miles“I had a total engine failure on I-75 with my 2018 Kia Sportage with just over 18,000 miles. My insurance carrier (usaa) person I spoke with said I was the third person she has spoken with in the last week that had the same make & model number that the engine failed. She said one person was told by her dealer it could be six months before they can get her an engine. I am in naples florida and deal with airport Kia in naples, fl.”
NHTSA complaint #11191137, filed 2019-03, 18,400 miles“For the past 6 months or so, I've been experiencing an unknown issue. I'll be driving along, steadily and all of a sudden my engine and RPM gauge will rev up and then go back to normal. My speed doesn't change, no lights go on, just the rev-ing sound and the gauge goes up. It's very alarming to me. I've checked with Kia and they're aware of the issue but state that there is currently no recall or alert as to what exactly the problem is or how to solve it.”
NHTSA complaint #11190511, filed 2019-03, 35,000 miles“Addendum to complaint on Kia motors,Kia america, citrus Kia , their sell of first a brand new 2015 Kia soul,now recalled 5 yrs later after we begged for help. We are 2 disabled person s who were duped by Kia and citrus, traded in going into further debt after getting no where with NHTSA, Kia etc. Kia motors traded and financed a brand new 2018 Kia Sportage only to have dangerous problems with it. Kia knowingly sold us 2 dangerous vehicle s, we had the knock sensor installed per the upgrade , farce, should be recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11407969, filed 2021-04, 13,000 miles“I picked up a brand new Kia Sportage sx turbo awd with 34 miles on it today. It was driving kind of hesitantly, seeming like it was misfiring. About 30 miles later, the check engine light turned on. I immediately called Kia customer service as I have an established relationship with them. They advised to take it to the nearest dealership. I took my car to summit place Kia in auburn hills where the initial diagnosis based on a check engine light reading was an improper fuel/air mixture in cylinder 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #11129365, filed 2018-09, 69 milesRelated recalls
- 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine…Covers: Kia Sportage 2011–2018, Optima 2011–2017, Sorento 2012–2017
Related service bulletins
- 11031854Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 11030391Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 105) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11026898Dec 19, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11026533Dec 10, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025895Nov 27, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11025859Nov 7, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025889Nov 5, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13% |
| 2024 | 11 | 15% |
| 2023 | 38 | 20% |
| 2022 | 21 | 46% |
| 2021 | 23 | 43% |
| 2020 | 77 | 47% |
| 2019 | 37 | 52% |
| 2018 | 91 | 55% |
| 2017 | 222 | 55% |
| 2016 | 62 | 46% |
| 2015 | 84 | 58% |
| 2014 | 73 | 58% |
| 2013 | 301 | 79% |
| 2012 | 328 | 84% |
| 2011 | 77 | 43% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 13% |
| 2008 | 17 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 15 | 14% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sportage
30 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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