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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
12%of 166 total for the year
Median mileage
12,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,500 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I was driving and I began smelling a burning smell when I hit the brakes. The smell has gotten stronger and not gone away. I made an appointment at the dealership after finding out there was recalls on vehicle that were my make and model and the recall described exactly what was happening. The dealership was not helpful. They said they had not gotten a recall on my specific car yet and though they could detect an 'odor' they weren't certain what it was from and literally told me to not park indoors. And if my car caught fire to exit quickly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11406620, filed 2021-04, 12,500 miles

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 70,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 107,000 while having a routine oil change. The service records indicated that the mileage had been altered.”

NHTSA complaint #11720938, filed 2026-02, 107,000 miles

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Kia Sportage. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 25,881, and while trying to trade the vehicle with another dealer, it was discovered through the Carfax report that the odometer was rolled back 4,000 miles at the time of the sale. The corrected mileage was 29,881.”

NHTSA complaint #11746234, filed 2026-06, 29,881 miles

“The screen in car goes completely blank and will not go back on till you turn car back on. Blind spot warning doesn't always work on highway collision light comes on when there isn't anyone in front of you backroads and highway.”

NHTSA complaint #11413445, filed 2021-04, 530 miles

“My Kia Sportage was stolen, however a couple of years ago I had the Kia Anti Theft Logic software updated on the car. I’ve been told that although it does not prevent anyone from breaking in, they should not have been able to move the car. Prior to this, the engine is running on 3 cylinders instead of 4 which has caused major issues with the car burning oil rapidly.”

NHTSA complaint #11694431, filed 2025-10

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
20251527%
20241621%
20234523%
2022817%
2021611%
20202012%
20191115%
20183018%
20176316%
20161713%
20151812%
201486%
2013226%
2012297%
20113821%
201015%
20091823%
20082728%
20071317%
20062220%
2005812%
2002167%
20012310%
20003211%
19994114%
19984716%
19972112%
1996712%
1995814%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Sportage

Engine
79 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 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