Kia · Sportage · 2016
2016 Kia Sportage
2
Recalls
129
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls and 129 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (33 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Kia Sportage page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 33 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Kia Sportage currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 129 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (33), service brakes, hydraulic (31), electrical system (7).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Kia Sportage
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 129
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V051000February 02, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
NHTSA ID: 18V907000December 19, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Remedy Status
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Owner Complaints
129 totalENGINE
Feb 27, 2026
Engine failure. The engine completely seized up
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was ...
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ENGINE
Feb 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of t...
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AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryDec 2, 2025
My wife was recently in a car accident and sandwiched between two cars and the airbags didn’t deploy.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Nov 18, 2025
WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED KNOCKING MAKING NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY TAIL PIPE. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO THE TRICK, THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON, MY CAR DRIVES VERY SLOW NOW. I'M A...
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ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Jul 1, 2025
2 problems occurred within 1 month from each other: - Kia Sportage engine started to randomly stall. I needed to do a full stop in the middle of the road and restart the car to continue driving. I had 3 stalls happen within 2 weeks before I had time to take it to the dealer. The ...
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ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2025
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I was leaving work and was exiting I97 to enter on 695 and and I accelerated to proceed on 695 and my vehicle lost power, the engine light along with the oil indictor came on, and making a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed and taken to the mecha...
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SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the rec...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
May 24, 2025
Me and my family were on the way to the beach, as I accelerated on the interstate got to 65 mph, engine light started blinking, car instantly slowed down. Got off on next exit, to check and see what was going on, car started hesitating after acceleration. Was able to get it to an...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
May 24, 2025
La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 10 recent complaints from 129 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sportage Years
2017 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.4r382c2015 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r144c2018 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r153c2014 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r121c2019 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r65c2013 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r380c
More 2016 Kia Models
2016 Kia SorentoAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.8r1,215c2016 Kia SoulAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r787c2016 Kia OptimaAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.5r733c2016 Kia SedonaAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r284c2016 Kia ForteAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r127c2016 Kia RioAnother 2016 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r75c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?
The 2016 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has received 129 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Kia Sportage.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Kia Sportage?
The 2016 Kia Sportage received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sportage?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Kia Sportage are engine (33 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (31 reports), electrical system (7 reports).
Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2016 Kia Sportage. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.