2016 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Kia Sportage has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine complaints make up 50% of reports, with two recalls covering brakes and engine fuel pipe issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 131
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2016 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine65 (50%)
- Brakes38 (29%)
- Electrical System20 (15%)
- Other18 (14%)
- Fuel System9 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (6%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (4%)
- Steering4 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can seize suddenly during low-speed turns, leading to loss of control.
- Engine compartment fires have occurred both while parked, at highway speed, and after smoke or a fuel smell was noticed.
- Frontal airbags sometimes fail to deploy in head-on or rear-end collisions, leaving occupants to hit the wheel or windshield.
- Brakes have been reported to stop responding, in one case causing the vehicle to roll onto an embankment and flip.
- Some fires start from underneath the hood with a smell of fuel or a popping/blast sound before flames appear.
2016 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.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Kia Sportage reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th out of 21 Sportage model years. Engine problems account for half of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,239 miles.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sportage?
- Engine issues lead at 50% of complaints, followed by brakes at 29% and electrical system problems at 15%. NHTSA also logged 5 fires and 8 crashes tied to this model year.
- Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls: one for a brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit that could short and start a fire (park-outside advisory), and one for engine fuel pipe replacement tied to prior knock sensor or engine replacement work.
- How does the 2016 Sportage compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 50 is lower than the 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025 model years, which are all rated Avoid with indexes of 65 or higher. It is worse than early years like 2005-2007, which carry Good verdicts.
- Is the 2016 Kia Sportage a fire risk?
- NHTSA lists 5 fire-related complaints for this model year, several tied to the Engine problem area with a median failure mileage of 80,239 miles.