2015 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Kia Sportage ranks 10th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 59% of complaints, with two recalls covering brakes and engine fuel pipes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 146
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2015 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine86 (59%)
- Brakes32 (22%)
- Other27 (18%)
- Electrical System20 (14%)
- Fuel System7 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (4%)
- Airbags5 (3%)
- Steering3 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartments have caught fire while driving or parked, sometimes with popping noises and warning lights before smoke appeared.
- Owners report loss of power steering and braking along with dashboard warning lights, in one case followed by smoke and flames under the hood.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several low-to-moderate speed crashes, leading to injuries like concussions and broken bones.
- Brake system complaints include vehicles related to the hydraulic control unit recall catching fire before repair parts were available.
- Some owners were told the engine needed full replacement after experiencing rough running at low mileage relative to typical wear.
2015 Kia Sportage recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V051000Feb 2, 2022Brakes126,747 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: 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.
2015 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Kia Sportage reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2015 Sportage has a complaint index of 55 and ranks 10th worst among 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues make up 59% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sportage?
- Engine problems account for 86 of 146 complaints (59%), followed by brakes at 32 complaints (22%) and electrical system issues at 20 complaints (14%). Median mileage at engine failure was 91,000.
- Does the 2015 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls: one for a hydraulic brake control unit that could short and cause fire, advising owners to park outside, and one for engine fuel pipe replacement tied to prior engine-replacement recalls.
- How does the 2015 Sportage compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 55 is worse than years like 2005, 2006, and 2007 but better than 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025, which all carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes.
- Are there fire risks with the 2015 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA lists 11 fire reports for the 2015 Sportage, several tied to engine compartment fires and one linked to the brake hydraulic control unit recall.