YearToAvoid

2016 Kia Sportage Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#11 most-complained of 16 Sportage years

The 2016 Kia Sportage ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 33 and a "Good" verdict relative to other Sportage years. NHTSA lists 131 complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 fire reports, with the Engine as the top problem area.

Complaints
131
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
8 / 5
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19.5 city / 26 hwy

Top 2016 Kia Sportage problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine65 (50%)
  2. Brakes38 (29%)
  3. Electrical System20 (15%)
  4. Other18 (14%)
  5. Fuel System9 (7%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain8 (6%)
  7. Airbags5 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body5 (4%)
  9. Steering4 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the steering seizing during low-speed turns, leading to loss of control and crashes.
  • Engine bay fires have occurred both at highway speed and shortly after purchase, sometimes preceded by a fuel smell or popping sound.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in several frontal and rear-end collisions despite forceful impacts, resulting in head and chest injuries.
  • Brakes reportedly failed to respond while parking or maneuvering at low speed, in one case causing the vehicle to roll over.
  • Some engine fires were accompanied by smoke from under the hood and an illuminated check engine light before the vehicle became fully engulfed.
2016 Kia Sportage complaints: complaints filed per quarter272016 Q12018 Q12019 Q42021 Q22022 Q42024 Q12025 Q2
181 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (27).

2016 Kia Sportage recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Best13122322.5
2015Good40146222
2016Good33131222
2017Avoid93399423
2018Caution53164323

All Kia Sportage years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Kia Sportage reliable?
Compared with other Sportage model years, 2016 ranks 11th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 33 and a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 131 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Kia Sportage?
The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 65 complaints, or 50% of all complaints filed, including several reports of engine fires.
Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Sportage: one for a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit issue in the brakes that requires parking outside, and one for an engine fuel pipe inspection related to prior engine replacements.
How does the 2016 Sportage compare to other years?
The 2016 model has a complaint index of 33, better than 2012 (87), 2013 (80), and 2017 (93), all rated "Avoid," but higher than the best years like 2019 (7) and 2014 (13).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.