2020 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,019miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Kia Sportage, 2% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,019 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 contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 19,019.”
NHTSA complaint #11514764, filed 2023-03, 19,019 miles“While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. I was able to safely pull to the side of the road. The engine would not restart. Upon inspection, the engine was found to be completely out of oil despite being maintained according to recommended oil change intervals and not being overdue for service. There were no visible oil leaks under the vehicle and no prior low oil warning light or oil pressure warning light was observed before the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11744353, filed 2026-06Related 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…
- 10203457Nov 8, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM OBD CODE DISPLAY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA474) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10198190Jun 21, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM OBD CODE DISPLAY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA474) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine…
- 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…
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 2020 Kia Sportage
79 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsElectrical system
20 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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