CarRecallWatchThe 2021 Kia Sportage has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (23 reports).
2021 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.
Most common 2021 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 54 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
What owners report
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. The approximate failure mileage was 103,916.
My 2021 Kia Sportage is in Limp Mode at 2,000 RPM, and my mechanic confirmed it has the P1326 Knock Sensor code stored. Vin [XXX]. I need to see if my car can be added to the list of vehicles regarding the product improvement campaign PI2002A. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The Kia never showed an engine light error or gave a code stating there was a problem. We Change the oil every 3000 miles. There was no oil on the dip stick and the oil was extremely low. The engine seized up today.
Severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 Kia Sportage. A physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident. The vehicle also has chronic failure of the air conditioning system, documented by Sunset Kia of Sarasota as a leaking evaporator. This prevents the windshield from defrosting during heavy Florida rains, severely impairing visibility. Dealer confirmed these hazards under a signed repair order on June 3 2026, but Kia Corporate closed case 25175676 without any physical technical inspection, leaving an unsafe vehicle on the road.
See attached document for complaint.
2021 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 2021 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Sportage: Tow hitch wiring can short and cause a fire; Electrical short can cause engine fire, park outside. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Sportage?
Based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (23), Unknown Or Other (14), Engine And Engine Cooling (7).
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 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.