Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact opened the hood and noticed an abnormal burning odor. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed the oil was not entering the engine and an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 ( Service Brakes, Hydraulic).
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact exited the freeway. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with a knock sensor failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the knock sensor however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact exited the freeway with the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, he began to hear an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road but did not hear the abnormal noise anymore. The contact stated that he decided to continue driving, but the engine then seized shortly after. The contact was able to restart to the vehicle but continued to hear the abnormal noise getting louder. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced, due to not having the knock sensor software updated. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the engine was knocking. The check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently at first but had since become constant. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the PCV valve was replaced. The dealer also performed an engine flush, and oil change, and filled the fuel tank. The contact stated that on the following day, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who stated the engine could not be replaced due to the knocking not meeting the volume level required for a free engine replacement. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle in a parking lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance because the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) had not been completed. The contact stated that she had not received the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 158,376.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH, the engine seized. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, but the failure recurred two years later. While driving at low speeds, the engine seized. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with engine failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and sputtered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was serviced; however, the failure persisted. After a recent failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to Infiniti of Denver (2990 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,500.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the service engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went in LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the engine started to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbo charger, radiator, and the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Engine complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Kia Sportage, 60% of the model year's 124 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Kia Sportage engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-907 (engine, Dec 19, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Sportage engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.