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Engine coolingPart report

2021 Kia Sportage Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
13%of 54 total for the year
Median mileage
85,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2021 Kia Sportage, 13% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 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 his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate. The contact's wife arrived at the destination where the failure persisted, prompting her to discontinue driving the 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11680688, filed 2025-08, 117,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change, and the contact was advised that the oil level was low. The contact stated there was no warning illuminated with the oil level being low. The contact was advised by the mechanic to check the oil level more frequently. The contact had recently checked the oil level and needed to add one quart of engine oil. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11679132, filed 2025-08, 41,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and checked the oil dipstick and became aware that there was no oil on the dipstick. Since the failure, oil had been added to the engine three times. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, opened a case, and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11768470, filed 2026-10, 103,916 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the drain plug detached, and oil started leaking from the oil pan. The accelerator was depressed, but the vehicle failed to move and stalled while driving on the highway. The vehicle failed to restart. The oil light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the oil cap had detached. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was difficult to start. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11746610, filed 2026-06, 60,000 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

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202512%
202311%
202212%
2021713%
202095%
201923%
201853%
201782%
201632%
201511%
201422%
2013144%
201221%
201174%
200855%
200723%
200687%
200546%
20026929%
20014520%
20004515%
19997928%
19987926%
19975631%
19961018%
19951425%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia Sportage

Engine
23 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Vehicle 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 27, 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