2020 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  640%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  320%
• 75k–100k
  533%
• 100k–150k
  17%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that driving at 25 MPH with her daughter, another driver on the opposite lane, alerted them that the engine was on fire. Upon checking the rearview mirror, the contact noticed black smoke. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and exited. The front hood had partially opened on its own, revealing flames coming from the engine. Coolant was leaking from under the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact called 911. No warning lights were illuminated before or after the incident. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The contact has experienced panic attacks and issues sleeping as a result of the vehicle fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed, but the report number was unknown. …

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the contact discovered smoke coming from the engine compartment and from out of the A/C unit; the contact pulled to the side of the road as she discovered that the engine compartment, the front driver side and passenger side of the vehicle, and underneath the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was occupied during the fire. The contact's spouse sustained burns from attempting to extinguish the fire that he discovered had spread onto him and the contact's clothes while they were still driving. Once all of the passengers had safely exited the vehicle, the vehicle exploded. Medical attention was sought. A fire department and police report was filed. …

The contact's parents owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact's parent stated that the vehicle was parked and turned off at a local grocery store. The contact's parents were informed that the front of the vehicle had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was not provided; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

On October 27th my 5 year old daughter and I were driving home just after leaving Tiresplus getting four brand new tires and an oil change. On the way home out of no where my vehicle caught fire. Driving down the highway, once noticing the car was on fire, no warning no nothing- until I hit the breaks which did not work cause they were completely burnt. Within moments of thinking how I am going to get to my child in her car seat and save myself I went into the median of the highway thinking grass would slow me down. Once the car was going about 30 MPH I opened my driver door fearing we would be locked in the burning vehicle. As soon as I opened my door my legs were burning, I unbuckled my seat belt and jumped out of the car. Only to get up and chase the vehicle to get my 5 year old out. The car was fully engolfed in flames when approaching the vehicle thinking my daughter was dead. …

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to accelerate above 25 MPH, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake boot was torn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the dealer performed a brief examination. The contact stated that he was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was advised that it was normal for the vehicle to use a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer every 1,000 miles. The failure became a persistent failure. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes and the engine seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine and the oil pressure warning lights were illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact opened the hood and noticed that there was no engine oil in the vehicle though he had completed the oil change on June 4, 2022. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine oil had leaked due the oil drain plugs missing. The dealer informed the contact that the oil drain plugs may not have been properly tightened during the last oil change. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,027.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #4 misfire, a knock sensor, and bearing clearance measurement failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty because the warranty was on the vehicle with the previous owner. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and was advised that the repair could not be covered under warranty because the failure was considered the consumer's negligence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle overheated, and the contact was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle revved up and idled rough. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle in for an oil change, the contact was informed that the engine was not consuming oil, which caused concern because the vehicle had previously been fueled by the contact. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Sportage years