2021 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden engine failures and engine oil loss, often with no warning light before the failure. Other complaints describe sudden loss of power while driving, vehicle theft, and smoke or fire from the engine area. Many complaints do not state mileage, and where it is given the oil and engine reports fall between about 41,000 and 105,000 miles, while some describe low oil within a few thousand miles of an oil change.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure, knock sensor codes, or limp mode

   • 15 complaints (28%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe engines that failed or went into limp mode while driving, often with a flashing check engine light and sometimes with the car shutting off. Technicians reportedly read knock sensor or camshaft codes such as P1326 and described possible connecting rod bearing wear or timing chain failure, and complaints also mention metal in the oil or engine block pieces found after a failure. A complaint reports that coverage for an engine replacement was denied without a clear explanation. Most of these complaints do not state mileage; where it is given, the figure is about 100,000 miles, and some describe the failure in a relatively new vehicle.

   What to check: Ask a dealer to scan for stored engine codes, including any knock sensor code, and to confirm whether the voluntary emissions software campaign for the 2.4 liter engine, if the vehicle has one, has been performed. Check the oil level on the dipstick and ask for oil change records, since some complaints describe the dipstick being dry shortly after service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While I was driving in the interstate my car when in limp mode while I was trying to pass a semi. I had my children in the car and was stranded on the side of the road. No warning lights ever came on before hand. My mechanic said it was a problem with my engine and it’s common in Kia’s in but doe not include my year. It’s a costly repair for a car that’s not even 5 years old.”

   NHTSA complaint #11740308, filed 2026-05

   “I was driving only going around 35 miles and the car went from no check engine light to flashing check engine light I had it taken to a show and was told the rod bears where grinding away and putting metal in the oil which is what the 2017-2019 model of the engines had the same problem”

   NHTSA complaint #11730671, filed 2026-04
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and low oil level

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe burning oil, topping it up every couple of weeks or more often, and finding the dipstick dry or at the low mark, often with no warning light. Some describe oil loss despite regular oil changes and no visible leak, and some say the engine was later found to need replacement or had seized. A dealer reportedly ran an oil consumption test and suggested the pistons might be the problem, then asked the owner to keep driving and recheck later. Some reports describe low oil within a few thousand miles of an oil change, while mileage stated elsewhere ranges from about 41,000 to about 105,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the dipstick level and condition before buying, and ask for oil change records and any dealer oil consumption test results. Ask whether any warranty or manufacturer case has been opened for oil use on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car is burning oil like crazy. I’ve had to put 2 quarts in one week. Took it to dealership because of warranty. They ran an oil consumption test and told me pistons may be bad drive it another 1000 miles then we check it again. Why not fix problems then. So I have to check my oil every day until they want to do the work I guess”

   NHTSA complaint #11671641, filed 2025-07

   “I have experienced chronic and excessive engine oil consumption in my 2021 Kia Sportage S with the 2.4 L Theta II engine. Since around 80,000 miles, I have had to add oil every 2 weeks between oil changes to prevent the engine from running low. My vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement, estimated at $10,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11697338, filed 2025-11
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 56,500 mi at 3.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe sudden loss of power while driving, with the car unable to accelerate or stalling, sometimes with warning lights on and sometimes with no warning. Some reports describe a stall that would not restart, and some describe a collision or rolling to a stop after the power was lost, including reports that the service brakes were inoperable. Some reports trace the loss of power to a high-pressure fuel pump, and a dealer reportedly found no failure when the vehicle was checked. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 10,000 to about 117,000 miles.

   What to check: Confirm recall status with the VIN, including the trailer hitch and brake control unit recalls listed for this model. On a test drive, check for smooth acceleration and any warning lights that stay on after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving southbound on Route 93 on 6/11/2026 during the morning commute, my 2021 Kia Sportage suddenly sputtered and lost the ability to accelerate. I was traveling about 65 mph in heavy traffic when the vehicle abruptly lost power without any warning lights or prior symptoms. As my speed dropped, I had to cross multiple lanes to reach the breakdown lane, creating a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11743759, filed 2026-06

   “On March 4, 2026, the engine in my 2021 Kia Sportage malfunctioned while I was driving on a local road on Long Island, NY. The check engine light illuminated, the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate normally, and the steering wheel became heavy and difficult to turn at the same time. This created a serious safety risk, as I was unable to maneuver or accelerate normally and could have been stranded in an active roadway or unable to avoid a collision. The vehicle was able to restart but was towed as a precaution and transported to service. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11732236, filed 2026-04
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Vehicle theft and anti-theft concerns

   Mentioned in 4 of 48 sampled complaints

   Owners describe vehicles stolen from a parking area or outside a workplace, and in some cases recovered later with damage. Some say the dealer described anti-theft protection at sale, and others say a lock was forced and the car was started without a key. Some owners feel the security features are inadequate and suggest that steering wheel locks or a signed buyer acknowledgment should be required at sale. Mileage is not stated, and some reports describe theft within days of purchase or from a car parked outside a workplace.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the anti-theft software upgrade and decal installation listed in the service bulletins has been performed. Check that the doors lock and the alarm respond normally, and ask whether a steering wheel lock or other security accessory came with the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car was stolen and no safety/security features were deployed. In doing research, Kias are being stolen on a daily basis in my city and this was not communicated to me by the dealer when I bought the vehicle 6 months ago. These cars should not be allowed to be sold without steering wheel locks and/or signed acknowledgment by the buyer. They clearly do not have the necessary equipment or features to prevent them from easily being stolen.”

   NHTSA complaint #11452231, filed 2022-02

   “My Kia can be easily broken into and stolen. In January of this year I was in Denver for military assignment and I locked my car at night however a their was able to break into my car by popping off the driver side lock and then basically hot wiring the car. Eventually I got my car back after it was repaired but then again someone broke back Into my car using the same method. However, I had a steering lock so they could not drive away. The security and safety features on my care are worthless and do not provide the security a modern car should. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11477673, filed 2022-08
5. 5
   Engine

   Fire or smoke from the engine area

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 36,460 mi at 2.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe smoke from under the hood, sometimes preceded by a burning odor and in some reports with no warning lights. In some reports the vehicle caught fire while parked or after stopping, and a report says the car was driven to a parking lot before flames engulfed it. Where mileage is given, these reports fall between about 4,300 and about 70,000 miles, and some do not state mileage.

   Recall 21V137000

   What to check: Use the VIN with the official recall lookup to check whether the brake control module recall for an engine-compartment fire applies, and ask whether the repair has been completed. Look under the hood for signs of heat damage or fluid leaks, and ask about any earlier smoke or burning odor reports on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2021 Kia Sportage with 4300 miles caught on fire putting me and 10 year old daughter in danger . Bought car brand new only had one oil change at Kia dealership,no warning lights. Car was total lossinpected by insurance company,fire department have not heard from anyone else”

   NHTSA complaint #11425260, filed 2021-07

   “The contact owned a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon pulling into a parking space on the third floor of a parking garage at her workplace, she smelled a strong burning odor. The contact also noticed smoke coming from underneath the driver's side of the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and quickly exited it. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11448187, filed 2022-01, 19,920 miles

Buying note. Owners considering this model year may want to ask for engine and oil service records, confirm recall and campaign status with the VIN, and check for stored engine codes before buying. A pre-purchase inspection that includes an engine scan and a recall lookup can help set expectations about this vehicle's condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.