2021 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 11%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Kia Sportage, 11% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions, a Battery Discharge Warning message was displayed, which disappeared once the vehicle was driven. The contact then stated that on several occasions after the vehicle sat unoperated for a day, the engine failed to start. The contact's husband jump-started the vehicle on multiple occasions and noticed that the battery was completely drained. The contact's husband replaced the battery approximately three times; however, the failure persisted. …”
NHTSA complaint #11748804, filed 2026-07, 55,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed on the freeway and had stopped on the shoulder of the road to access the navigation system. The contact stated that after the driver shifted to park(P), the driver noticed smoke. The contact's grand-mother who was also occupying the vehicle advised the driver that the smoke was coming from underneath the hood. The driver then noticed that smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle burned to the ground. …”
NHTSA complaint #11690967, filed 2025-10, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all electrical and motive power. As a result, the vehicle collided with a shopping cart, causing it to collide with another vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11550184, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 11033217May 28, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment…
- 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…
- 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…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11015973Mar 20, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles…
- 11001593Jun 6, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGREADE $ DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 15 | 27% |
| 2024 | 16 | 21% |
| 2023 | 45 | 23% |
| 2022 | 8 | 17% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 20 | 12% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 30 | 18% |
| 2017 | 63 | 16% |
| 2016 | 17 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 | 22 | 6% |
| 2012 | 29 | 7% |
| 2011 | 38 | 21% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 23% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 13 | 17% |
| 2006 | 22 | 20% |
| 2005 | 8 | 12% |
| 2002 | 16 | 7% |
| 2001 | 23 | 10% |
| 2000 | 32 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 14% |
| 1998 | 47 | 16% |
| 1997 | 21 | 12% |
| 1996 | 7 | 12% |
| 1995 | 8 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2021 Kia Sportage
23 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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