2021 Kia Sportage Safety Report
2021 KIA SPORTAGE SAFETY REPORT
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Kia Sportage
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Kia Sportage. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (36) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 9 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Kia Sportage with 40 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2023 | Check the 2023 Kia Sportage before buying across this generation. |
Kia Sportage Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Sportage years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Sportage | 40 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Sportage | 144 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Kia Sportage | 167 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Sportage | 65 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Kia Sportage | 58 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Sportage | 150 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Kia Sportage Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Kia Sportage, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyEngine
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia onlyTrailer Hitches
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Trailer Hitches issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Electrical System issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Kia Sportage
Reliability Score
The 2021 Kia Sportage receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Kia Sportage
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Kia Sportage
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Kia Sportage:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Consumption Multiple owners have reported chronic oil consumption starting around 80,000 miles, leading to engine seizure and car failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes And Hydraulic Systems Recalled due to potential issues with the control unit/module, affecting anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip systems. |
Medium | Common | 20k-60k miles |
| Engine And Cooling System Some owners have experienced engine and cooling system issues, though less frequently reported. |
Low | Occasional | 20k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues with the electrical system, including exterior lighting and the battery, have been reported. |
Medium | Occasional | 20k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Kia Sportage:
Engine issues are the most common problem, affecting 36% of the vehicles.
Service brakes are a significant concern, affecting 23% of the vehicles.
Electrical system issues are reported in 18% of the vehicles.
Hydraulic systems, particularly the control unit/module, are a concern for 15% of the vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2021 Kia Sportage
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Kia Sportage by NHTSA:
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Kia Sportage
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Kia Sportage with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 6 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The oil is mixing with the gas and their was smoke coming from the engine after that the engine has seized and the car stopped working. Also at the body shop i was told some wires were cut.
smoke coming from the engine.
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. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes (documented by Express Oil Change...
My vehicle is burning oil. In a little over 1500 miles after I get a oil change from the King Kia Dealership Service, my oil stick shows that the level of oil in my engine is none at all. When I check my oil, the stick, is absolutely dry. This has happened in the last 3 oil changes with my vehicle. There is no oil indicator light that comes on in the dash, but the oil stick is dry. Additionally, t...
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 ...
My car has been burning oil way too quickly! I got the 10,000 mile oil to see if it way maybe that and by 3,000 miles there was hardly any one in there! It is not leaking out! My oil is changed faithfully! And I heard there is a recall on some newer model Kia sportages! This is craziness! I take care of my vehicle stay up on all of the maintenance! I’ve read complaints on here and there are others...
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...
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 o...
The car alarm keeps going off randomly and from googling it. Several people have reported an issue with the 2021 Kia Sportage it’s a known issue.
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
I had catastrophic engine failure driving down the road to work. Check engine light started flashing the the oil light. The car then shut off. Got it towed and they found two pieces of the engine block in the cradle cover.
Drivers side roof drip molding trim on roof detached and flew off of car while driving on interstate
BATTERY DIED, FOB DIDNT WORK 2 TIMES HAD TO HV TOWED, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT SEEMS AS IT HAS A SHORT, OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE, NOW ALL HEADLIGHTS AND BACKLIGHT INCLUDING BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORK. VERY UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. EVERYTHING IN THE RECALL HAS HAPPENED EXCEPT FOR CATCHING ON FIRE. THE TOW HITCH, I DONT HAVE ONE SO IT WASNT COMPLETED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS. PE...
Kia Sportage 2021- The service department at the dealership ran basic inspection of fault codes and found fault in system for knock sensor and camshaft b position sensor. These codes have relation to engine failure or possible timing chain failure. My safety was put at risk as I was driving down the highway and my car would not go over 40 miles per hour and cars were serving from hitting me from ...
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil light and engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming excessive engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft and rocker arm. The contact was informed that the crankshaft...
The infotainment system has bubbles, and it interferes with touch screen process. I have seen lots of people that have different KIA's that have the same issue. This should be considered a RECALL due to how so many KIA's that have the same issue.
On Thursday [XXX] I purchased a 2021 Kia Sportage LX from Liberty Auto Plaza Dealership located in Libertyville, IL. During this purchase, the salesman Isaac told me the car was updated with Anti-Theft Protection. Between Friday [XXX] evening and Saturday [XXX] my Kia Sportage that I just purchased was stolen. I called the police department and made a police report and I filed a claim with my insu...
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes were inoperable. The c...
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 ve...
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not...
Showing 20 of 36 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Kia Sportage
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Kia Sportage
Has the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE have?
The 2021 KIA SPORTAGE has 36 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2021 KIA SPORTAGE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE involve unknown or other (10 complaints), engine (7 complaints), unknown or other,engine (2 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling, trailer hitches, engine and engine cooling,electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE out of 36 total complaints (8.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE out of 36 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE is generally recommended. It has 36 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 2. ENGINE (7 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (2 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (2 complaints), 5. TRAILER HITCHES (2 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 10 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
Be cautious of engine oil consumption and service brake issues, as they are the most common problems reported. The 2021 KIA SPORTAGE has 36 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
The 2021 KIA SPORTAGE receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 36 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 9 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Consumption and Service Brakes and Hydraulic Systems.
What are the known issues with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
Known issues with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE include: Engine Oil Consumption, Service Brakes and Hydraulic Systems, Engine and Cooling System, Electrical System. These are based on patterns found across 36 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
Engine oil consumption and service brake issues are the most common problems.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 KIA SPORTAGE?
Yes, there are recalls for service brake and hydraulic system issues.
What should I do if I notice excessive oil consumption?
Take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and possible repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine oil consumption and service brake issues, as they are the most common problems reported.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Kia Sportage
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Kia Sportage. The data includes 36 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Kia Sportage an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16