2016 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 65 engine-area complaints for the 2016 Kia Sportage, 50% of all complaints filed for the year. Owners reported stalling, sudden power loss, and fires, with a median failure mileage of 80,239 miles. A related recall (18V907000) covers fuel pipe issues tied to prior engine replacements.
- Engine complaints
- 65
- 50% of 131
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 80,239 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Some owners describe the engine stalling or losing power suddenly while driving at highway speed, with no warning before the vehicle shut down.
- Several complaints describe smoke or fire coming from under the hood, in some cases while driving at lower speeds around 35 mph.
- Owners report hesitation or a delay in acceleration when trying to change lanes, sometimes accompanied by cloudy exhaust fumes.
- Some describe clacking noises from the engine along with intermittent loss of power after oil-related dealer testing.
- A few complaints mention the vehicle fading out or shutting down unexpectedly on the road, requiring the driver to restart it.
When 2016 Kia Sportage engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 19, 2016, latest Sep 11, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2016 Kia Sportage
- 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.
Engine complaints by Sportage model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA lists 65 engine-area complaints for the 2016 Sportage, which is 50% of all 131 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to the 2016 Kia Sportage engine?
- Yes. Recall campaign 18V907000 covers the engine and applies to Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement, with dealers inspecting and replacing the fuel pipe as needed.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2016 Sportage?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine-area complaints on this model year is 80,239 miles.
- Did the 2016 Kia Sportage engine issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for this engine problem area shows 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury reported.
- How does the 2016 Sportage compare to other model years for engine complaints?
- The 50% share of complaints tied to the engine in 2016 is lower than years like 2012 (84%) and 2013 (82%), but still represents half of all complaints filed for 2016.