Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sportage. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Engine Compartment Fire
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment 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 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.
High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (132)
132 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 132 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 60 | 45.5% |
| Service brakes | 38 | 28.8% |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 13.6% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 12.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 6.8% |
| Power train | 8 | 6.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 5.3% |
| Air bags | 5 | 3.8% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
How 2016 compares with other Sportage years
Best and worst Sportage years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 392 | 5 |
| 2013 | 381 | 3 |
| 2014 | 123 | 3 |
| 2015 | 146 | 2 |
| 2016 | 132 | 2 |
| 2017 | 401 | 4 |
| 2018 | 164 | 3 |
| 2019 | 70 | 2 |
| 2020 | 161 | 2 |
| 2021 | 53 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Kia Sportage suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 376 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 376 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 407 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 401 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 420 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Sportage for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Kia Sportage FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 22V051000 (brake), 18V907000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (60), Service brakes (38), Unknown or other (18) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Kia Sportage get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 21 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2016 Kia Sportage get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Kia Sportage suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.4% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Sportage compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Kia Sportage model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (53) and the 2017 the most (401). The 2016 drew 132. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.