CarBrief

NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Sportage, and the engine is the most named component[1][2]. Two recalls apply, and both involve a fire risk with a free repair[3][4].

162owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
21–26MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 162 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 8 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 84
Unknown or other[8] 31
Electrical system[9] 19
Brakes[10] 12
Structure[11] 10
Steering[12] 8
Fuel/propulsion system[13] 7
Forward collision avoidance[14] 6

Engine. This is the largest group, with 84 complaints, 7 fires and a median mileage at failure of 63,120[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe engines seizing or failing while driving, often alongside oil loss. Others describe a loss of power with a check engine light, a car that would not start, or a fire[2]. It is a small sample, so it shows what owners report, not how often it happens.

Electrical system. There are 19 complaints and 3 fires[9]. The median mileage at failure is 12,500[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe fires and burning smells, and some link them to recalled parts[9].

Brakes. There are 12 complaints, with 2 crashes[10]. In the sample we read, some owners say they were told the part for the brake recall repair was not yet available[10].

Structure. There are 10 complaints, with 2 injuries[11]. In the sample we read, owners describe the panoramic sunroof glass breaking while driving. Others describe peeling paint or clear coat[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[5]. Both are free to fix at a dealer.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and the drive. All use regular fuel[6][15][16][17].

Engine and drive City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L, front-wheel drive[6] 23 / 30 / 26 $2,600
2.0L turbo, front-wheel drive[15] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
2.4L, all-wheel drive[16] 22 / 26 / 23 $2,900
2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive[17] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200

All four are listed as Automatic (S6). EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[7]. Rollover risk is 14.7%[7]. The FWD version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[18].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows a 2.0L 4-cylinder rated 235 hp[19] and a 2.4L 4-cylinder rated 260 hp[20].

Size figures are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same across the versions listed: 176 in long, 73 in wide, 65 in tall, with a 105 in wheelbase[21][22][23].

Version Curb weight
FWD[23] 3,596 lb
AWD[21] 3,739 lb
AWD Turbo[22] 3,997 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

1995: 56 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 57 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 181 complaints, 3 recalls1998: 303 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 284 complaints, 3 recalls2000: 304 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 228 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 234 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 68 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 111 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 77 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 98 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 80 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 20 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 181 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 392 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 381 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 124 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 146 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 134 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 402 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 164 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 71 complaints, 2 recalls2020: 162 complaints, 2 recalls16220202021: 54 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 46 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 308 complaints, 7 recalls2024: 107 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 73 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 38 complaints, 1 recalls2027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sportage model year. The 2020 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995562
1996573
19971813
19983033
19992843
20003042
20012280
20022341
2005683
20061111
2007772
2008983
2009803
2010202
20111816
20123925
20133813
20141243
20151462
20161342
20174024
20181643
2019712
20201622
2021542
2022461
20233087
20241073
2025731
2026381
202710

The 2020 model year has 162 complaints and 2 recalls on file[5]. Several Sportage years have more complaints, including 2017 with 402, 2023 with 308 and 2018 with 164[5]. Nearby years with fewer complaints are 2019 with 71, 2021 with 54 and 2022 with 46[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2020 Sportage?

The engine is the component owners name most in complaints for this year[2]. Both recalls involve a fire risk, so check that each repair was done on any car you consider[3][4]. If the car has a tow hitch harness, ask about recall 22V703 in particular[3]. The safety ratings are solid, with 5 stars overall[7][18]. Engine complaints in our sample often mention oil loss, so ask for service records and pay attention to oil level and any check engine light[2].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Sportage?
Engine is the most named group in NHTSA complaints, with 84 of 162[1][2]. Electrical has 19 and brakes 12[9][10]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2020 Kia Sportage have recalls?
Yes, two. One covers the tow hitch harness (22V703) and one covers the brake control unit (21V137). Both carry a fire risk and have a free dealer repair[3][4].
What MPG does a 2020 Kia Sportage get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 26 MPG, depending on engine and drive[6][15][16][17]. The 2.4L front-wheel drive gets 26[6].
How safe is the 2020 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall for both AWD and FWD[7][18].
How much horsepower does the 2020 Sportage have?
The EPA lists 235 hp for the 2.0L and 260 hp for the 2.4L[19][20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Sportage (11 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 84 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,120). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V703, filed September 19, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V137, filed March 4, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sportage model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Sportage FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 6 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Sportage FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Sportage AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Sportage AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Sportage with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 235 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Sportage with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE AWD 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,739 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE AWD TURBO 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,997 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE FWD 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,596 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.