2018 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 100 engine complaints for the 2018 Kia Sportage, 61% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 28,250 miles. Nine complaints involve fires. A related recall (18V907000) covers engine fuel pipe issues tied to earlier engine replacements.
- Engine complaints
- 100
- 61% of 164
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 9
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 28,250 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report black or grey smoke coming from the engine compartment, sometimes followed by the vehicle catching fire and losing power while driving.
- Some describe a knocking noise from the engine on startup or while driving, in one case accompanied by dashboard warning messages before the vehicle stalled.
- Several report the engine bogging down or hesitating on acceleration, including failure to accelerate promptly from a stop or low speed.
- One owner described the check engine light turning on soon after purchase along with hesitant, misfiring-like behavior.
- One complaint describes the engine shutting down unexpectedly at highway speed after a software update, reducing speed suddenly.
When 2018 Kia Sportage engine complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 13, 2018, latest Sep 19, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2018 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 common are engine problems in the 2018 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA lists 100 engine complaints for the 2018 Sportage, which is 61% of all 164 complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do 2018 Sportage engine problems usually occur?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2018 Sportage is 28,250 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Kia Sportage engine?
- Yes. Recall 18V907000, reported December 19, 2018, covers a fuel pipe issue tied to vehicles that previously had engine replacements under an earlier recall or warranty work.
- Do 2018 Sportage engine complaints involve fires?
- Yes. NHTSA data shows 9 fire reports and 1 injury among the engine-related complaints for the 2018 Sportage.