CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Kia Sportage has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 12 fires, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (91 reports).
2018 Kia Sportage recalls
Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire
The tow hitch wiring harness module on these vehicles can accumulate debris and moisture on its circuit board.
Electrical short can cause engine fire, park outside
The electrical circuit in the brake system's Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can start a fire in the engine compartment.
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.
Most common 2018 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 165 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 91 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Structure | 6 |
What owners report
I have spent two months trying to get my keys re-programmed to the system and the dealership informed me that the system has been "bypassed" somehow with no solution. This is after my account had been taken over and at one point the vehicle was being remotely controlled. I am out $500.00 for keys that cant work and this is a safety issue as I cant remotely lock or unlock my own vehicle or use the panic button. There have been people who gained access to the vehicle because somehow they have access to it remotely where I do not. This allowed them to brick the infotainment center and navigation. This is also an issue as this means they cant be utilized.
The vehicle suffered a primary connecting rod bearing failure covered under the Theta II class action warranty campaign. A brand-new warranty engine long-block was installed by an authorized dealership. Immediately upon vehicle pickup, the brand-new engine began exhibiting an un-metered acceleration defect. While stationary and idling in Park (P), the engine aggressively revs on its own without any operator input on the gas pedal. This malfunction caused the vehicle to violently surge and physically lurch forward several inches while in Park. This un-metered acceleration is an active, unpredictable driving hazard both in parking environments and in traffic, posing an immediate risk of a coll
Shortly after driving away, before reaching a highway on-ramp, I noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. I turned around and returned to the location. By the time I arrived, the vehicle was emitting black smoke, and shortly after, it was fully engulfed in fire before I could retrieve a fire extinguisher. Vehicle has a documented history of a known manufacturer recall related to an electrical/HECU component and a separate high-pressure fuel pipe recall, both reportedly remedied prior to this incident
Purchased my Kia on the XXX then on the XXX, My engine light came on and my car went into Safety Mode . I at once took it to Auto Zone and their test came back with P1326 Knock signal range / performance. I then looked it up and found that a recall was put out quite a while back called an [XXX] # took my car to Kia Dealership in [XXX]. They said I could bring it in that was on the XXX and if an appointment came open they would check but they did not have an opening til the 14th which was today and I was told it would be next week . Could someone please send me updated information concerning the 2018 Kia Sportage and the Knock Sensor [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATI
2018 Kia Sportage (78,051 miles). Vehicle is part of the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement due to severe internal engine defects. The engine suffers from catastrophic oil consumption, running almost completely dry three times in less than six months with no external leaks, meaning it is internally burning motor oil at a dangerous rate.This known engine defect caused severe consequential damage to the exhaust and emissions systems. On Aug 12, 2026, a Kia dealer technician diagnosed active code P0420. The technician's video inspection stated both the catalytic converter and O2 sensors are completely "out of specification." This double failure is a direct result of the engine defect blowing ex
2018 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Kia Sportage: Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire; Electrical short can cause engine fire, park outside; Fuel Pipe Leak Can Cause Engine Fire. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sportage?
Based on 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (91), Electrical System (30), Unknown Or Other (20).
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 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.