Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 15% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 14 | 7% | 85,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 7% | 13,000 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 7% | 68,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 5% | — |
| 2014 | 8 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 2% | 17,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% | 58,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% | 170,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 21% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 67 | 29% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 62 | 27% | 71,000 miles |
| 2000 | 90 | 30% | 82,000 miles |
| 1999 | 38 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 24 | 8% | 84,000 miles |
| 1997 | 18 | 10% | 111,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was stopped in the left hand turn lane, then accelerated to cross 2 lanes of traffic. I then let off the accelerator, and applied the brakes to stop, and the brakes did not function. I then rear ended a vehicle in front of me due to the intermittent loss of brakes. It may have also been the propulsion system kept going. Either way the vehicle maintained the same speed of about 15mph until I collided with the vehicle in front of me which stopped me. The brakes worked fine again after the collision. There also was no Forward Collision Avoidance system that was triggered in any way. This vehicle is a Rental Car.
While adaptive cruise was engaged, the vehicle read Alabama highway 80 west state road sign and incorrectly interpreted the sign for a speed limit sign which is 55 MPH.The vehicle displayed a "80 MPH" speed limit sign on the instrument cluster and then began to accelerate. When I took it to the dealer for repair, the "turned off safety feature".
On December 24, 2025, while driving in traffic, my Kia Sportage experienced severe lurching, bucking, and jerking, causing the engine to shut down. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, including a message prompting me to "turn engine back on." The vehicle would not restart, necessitating a tow to Horne Kia. After several days of diagnostics, it was determined that a blown ignition fuse and a bad fuel pump relay were the issues, along with a battery replacement. However, just 19 days later, while attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle again bucked violently, and the engine shut down with all warning lights flashing. The police had to assist in moving my vehicle out of traffic, and it was towed to Courtesy Kia in Mesa, AZ. Once again, no error codes were found. …
While driving, the vehicle engine shut off while making a turn. Before the engine stalled, the engine began to sputter as I made the turn. I was stranded on the roadway as I could not restart the vehicle. For my safety, I stayed in the vehicle as there was no shoulder and many vehicles including dump trucks. Several attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful - the engine would try to turn over and then stop. I contacted roadside assistance and the car was towed to the dealership. Diagnosed as a Faulty Fuel Pump/Bad Connectors. Approximately 8950 miles. This is the second time the car stalled while driving.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who determined that the fuel injector was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, while at the dealer, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V531000 (POWER TRAIN), but later while driving, the message "Low Engine Oil" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.
On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways .I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a Good Samaritan had opened the door from the outside and I crawled under the airbags and got out . The car did not go on fire but was still on when I was able to then turn it off . Police were called and I was checked at the hospital .
While driving my 2022 Kia Sportage, the brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal hard several times and the vehicle did not slow down or stop at all. There was no braking pressure and no warning lights. Because the brakes failed completely, I crashed directly into a guardrail. The airbags deployed on impact. This was not driver error, it was a sudden and total brake system failure. The vehicle is currently in a wreck yard and requires immediate manufacturer inspection.
Vehicle developed a cylinder 3 misfire that progressed to engine failure. The engine began running rough and lost power during normal operation. Dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and advised that a complete engine replacement is required. Prior to failure, the vehicle experienced significant oil loss, with oil leaking and rapidly depleting despite proper maintenance. Oil levels dropped abnormally between services. No adequate warning was provided before the engine condition worsened. Failure resulted in loss of engine performance and required towing. Vehicle was properly maintained. Repair cost exceeds reasonable expectations for vehicle age and mileage. Dealer advised that required engine parts are on backorder, leaving the vehicle inoperable for an extended period.
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
On certain sport utility vehicles, fuel May leak from the o-ring into the internal vapor chamber located in the fuel tank at full tank conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank leakage
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.review of the warranty data revealed elevated tank leakage experience in vehicles produced from June 1999 to October 2000.analysis of complaints and warranty claims identified multiple causes and origins of fuel tank assembly leakage.the majority of complaints involve non-specific allegations of fuel leakage where more than one fuel system component…
Fuel tank leakage
On January 4, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged fuel leakage from the steel fuel storage tank in certain model year 1999-2000 Kia sportage vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on January 25, 2006 requesting information about these and other Kia sportage vehicles.odi is aware of 40 non-duplicative complaints that allege fuel storage tank…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sportage years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (90), 2002 (67), 2001 (62), 1999 (38) and 1998 (24) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage fuel system problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-212 (storage, May 3, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sportage fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (69 mentions), followed by the delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (23).
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.