Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, electrical, and trailer hitches. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Two recalls on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing they were completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2021 Kia Sportage: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Kia Sportage. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–26 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Excessive engine oil consumption
80,000–100,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Kia Sportage, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Heavy oil burning is the main problem. The dipstick reads dry within about 1,500 miles of an oil change, or oil has to be added every two weeks. Often there is no low-oil light and no visible leak. Most reports come from around 80,000 miles and up, and one owner faces a full engine replacement. Some cases end in sudden failure: a flashing check engine light, a car that won't go over 40 mph on the highway, or a shutdown with pieces of the engine block found below it. One fire report describes smoke from under the hood with no warning lights.
Oil burning shows up again here. Low oil turns up at routine service with no warning light. Near 100,000 miles, one report describes low-oil and engine warning lights followed by a diagnosis of a failed crankshaft and rocker arm. Another describes a sudden loss of power with the check engine light on, which the owner tied to a federal recall campaign in this category. In the most serious case, the car caught fire on a freeway shoulder, with smoke and flames coming from under the hood and two people injured.
These complaints are scattered. The most serious describes a dead battery, a key fob that failed twice and forced tows, and a front light that seemed to short. It ended with every headlight, taillight, and brake light dead, even though a recall repair had already been done. Losing brake lights leaves following drivers with no warning. Another owner reports a car alarm that goes off at random. A third car was stolen days after purchase, even though the seller said it had been updated with anti-theft protection.
Both reports describe a trailer hitch recall where the repair part was not yet available. Owners say they have waited longer than is reasonable for the fix. In one case the car had not been repaired yet when the service brakes stopped working and several warning lights came on. It then lost power, rolled to a stop, and caught fire after smoke came from the engine compartment. A young child was in the car. The other owner reports no failure but still cannot get the recall work done.
The car suddenly loses motive power and stalls, with the check engine light or another warning light on. In one case all electrical power cut out too, and the car hit a shopping cart, which then struck another vehicle. In another, the car stalled while leaving a parking lot and restarted, and the dealer found no fault. The reported mileages are 10,000 and 35,000, so this can happen on lower-mileage cars too.
Excerpts from complaints Sportage owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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 having the same issue it isn’t just me!
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
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.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
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.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks eighth for owner complaints among 9 Sportage years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the fifth model year of the Sportage's fourth generation (2017–2022).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Cars shoppers compare with the Kia Sportage, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
