CarRecallWatchThe 2011 Kia Sportage has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (77 reports).
2011 Kia Sportage recalls
Brake control module short can cause engine fire
The hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU), which runs the antilock brake and traction control system, may develop an electrical short.
Engine oil leak can cause engine damage, fire or stall
Certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles may have an engine oil pan that leaks.
Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire
Certain Kia Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles that previously had an engine replaced under an earlier recall, warranty, or product improvement campaign may have a high pressure fuel pipe near the fuel pump that was damaged, misaligned or improperly tightened during that engine replacement.
Engine May Seize From Premature Bearing Wear, Raising Crash Risk
Machining errors during engine manufacturing can cause the engine's bearings to wear out prematurely.
Brake lights may fail to illuminate when braking
Some 2011 Sportage vehicles built between March 7 and June 8, 2011 may have a brake light switch that intermittently fails.
Most common 2011 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 181 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 77 |
| Electrical System | 38 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
What owners report
Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road. Passenger front and rear windows won't roll down. Had to replace battery as well. Inside door handles fell off as well as outside rear handles.tire pressure indicator light stays on as well as the park assist and drive train lights stay on.problem with car going in drive sometimes it locks up and have to restart and slam on brakes several times to unlock
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine light was flashing, and the vehicle went into ECO mode. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and engine failure due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. T
Update to NHTSA (ODI #11679186) Subject: Update to ODI Complaint #11679186 â Kia America Written Response Body: Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to provide an update to my ODI Complaint #11679186 regarding my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ), which caught fire while I was driving on [XXX]. On August 27, 2025, Kia America issued me a written response (attached). In this letter, Kia explicitly acknowledged: âPreliminary evaluation results show⦠the fire originated within the engine compartment area.â âThe cause was unknown engine oil leaks allowing motor oil to contact hot exhaust surfaces of the engine that led to ignition.â Despite admitting the
On [XXX], my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while I was driving. The vehicle rapidly filled with smoke, causing throat and eye irritation from smoke inhalation. My insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Kia America (Case #[XXX]) acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a fire inspection would be conducted. The inspection was completed, but Kia has refused to release the findings or determine the cause. On [insert date], Kia denied my claim without explanation, despite the vehicle being a complete loss due to fire. This is a critical safety issue that could have caused severe injury or death. I am requesting NHTSA investigate the cause of the fire and Kiaâ
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2011 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 2011 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2011 Kia Sportage: Brake control module short can cause engine fire; Engine oil leak can cause engine damage, fire or stall; Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire; Engine May Seize From Premature Bearing Wear, Raising Crash Risk; Brake lights may fail to illuminate when braking. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Sportage?
Based on 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (77), Electrical System (38), Power Train (23).
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Kia Sportage has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.