NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sportage[1]. The engine group has the most, with 63[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Engine. 63 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car stalling or fading on the road, oil running low, light smoke from the exhaust and knocking sounds. The median mileage at failure is 86,000[2]. Three of these complaints mention a fire[2].
- Brakes. 38 complaints[6]. Owners describe long stopping distances and a car that did not slow when they pressed the pedal. The median mileage at failure is 55,000[6].
- Unknown or other. 18 complaints[7]. These do not point to one clear part.
- Electrical system. 17 complaints[8]. Owners describe sudden power loss while driving and costly repair bills. One complaint mentions a fire[8].
- Fuel and propulsion system. 9 complaints[9]. Owners describe the car hesitating when they press the gas, stalling at an intersection and a gas smell[9].
- Power train. 8 complaints[10].
- Speed control. 7 complaints[11]. Two of them mention a crash[11].
- Air bags. 5 complaints[12]. All five mention a crash[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Sportage is necessarily included.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (22V051), February 2022. About 126,747 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Engine (18V907), December 2018. About 71,653 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sportage FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 21 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Sportage SX FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Sportage AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Sportage SX AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Sportage with 2.0L 4-cylinder[19] | 260 hp |
| 2016 Kia Sportage with 2.4L 4-cylinder[20] | 180 to 182 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 56 | 2 |
| 1996 | 57 | 3 |
| 1997 | 181 | 3 |
| 1998 | 303 | 3 |
| 1999 | 284 | 3 |
| 2000 | 304 | 2 |
| 2001 | 228 | 0 |
| 2002 | 234 | 1 |
| 2005 | 68 | 3 |
| 2006 | 111 | 1 |
| 2007 | 77 | 2 |
| 2008 | 98 | 3 |
| 2009 | 80 | 3 |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 |
| 2011 | 181 | 6 |
| 2012 | 392 | 5 |
| 2013 | 381 | 3 |
| 2014 | 124 | 3 |
| 2015 | 146 | 2 |
| 2016 | 134 | 2 |
| 2017 | 402 | 4 |
| 2018 | 164 | 3 |
| 2019 | 71 | 2 |
| 2020 | 162 | 2 |
| 2021 | 54 | 2 |
| 2022 | 46 | 1 |
| 2023 | 308 | 7 |
| 2024 | 107 | 3 |
| 2025 | 73 | 1 |
| 2026 | 38 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Sportage show 134 complaints and 2 recalls for 2016[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 14 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2017 (402)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2016 Sportage?
The 2016 Kia Sportage has 134 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Engine problems lead the list, followed by brakes[2][6]. Owners also describe power loss and stalling under other groups, so it is worth asking a seller for service records. Complaints are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Use the recalls, fuel and safety sections on this page alongside them.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Sportage?
- Engine complaints are the biggest group in the NHTSA data, followed by brakes[2][6]. Owners describe stalling, oil loss and weak stopping.
- Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have recalls?
- Yes. The pack lists 2 recalls for this year[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints are there for the 2016 Kia Sportage?
- NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
- Is the 2016 Kia Sportage reliable?
- The complaint record is mixed. Engine and brake groups lead the list[2][6]. Check the recalls and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Kia Sportage?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Sportage
Compare all model years of the Kia Sportage
Other Kia models from 2016
Similar cars from 2016: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Sportage (8 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sportage model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sportage FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V051, filed February 2, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sportage SX FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sportage AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sportage SX AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Sportage with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Sportage with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 180 to 182 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE 4DR SUV LX AWD/EX AWD/EX LUXURY: length 175 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,426 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE 4DR SUV LX/EX FWD: length 175 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,243 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE 4DR SUV SX: length 175 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,664 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov