2020 Kia Sportage Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Kia Sportage has a complaint index of 85, the 4th-worst among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 53% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,282, plus two recalls covering brakes and structure/body.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Sportage years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 160
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2020 Kia Sportage problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine85 (53%)
- Other31 (19%)
- Electrical System22 (14%)
- Structure & Body13 (8%)
- Brakes12 (8%)
- Fuel System8 (5%)
- Steering8 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have caught fire under the hood with black smoke and flames while driving or idling, sometimes after refueling odor was noticed.
- Brakes have reportedly resisted pressure or failed to stop the car during sudden slow-speed stops.
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration while pulling out of parking spots or entering traffic, with braking failing to stop the vehicle.
- Airbags have deployed and continued smoking or heating up after minor collisions, causing burns to occupants.
- Electrical fires have started under the hood or in the vehicle after routine maintenance, in one case spreading to nearby vehicles.
2020 Kia Sportage recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
- NHTSA 21V137000Mar 4, 2021Brakes379,931 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
2020 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2020 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Kia Sportage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Sportage ranks 4th-worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, driven mainly by engine-related reports.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Kia Sportage?
- Engine problems make up 53% of complaints (85 of 160), with a median failure mileage of 59,282, including several reports of engine fires.
- Does the 2020 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit brake fire risk and one for a tow hitch harness fire risk affecting the structure and body.
- How many complaints has NHTSA received for the 2020 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA has logged 160 complaints for the 2020 Sportage, including 11 crashes, 12 fires, and 8 injuries.
- How does the 2020 Sportage compare to other Sportage years?
- The 2020 model has a complaint index of 85 and is rated Avoid, worse than most other years except 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025, which also carry Avoid verdicts.