RecallMyCar

2018 Kia Sportage Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2018 Kia Sportage, and owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
164
owner complaints to NHTSA
7 / 12
complaints citing a crash / fire
21–26
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2018 Kia Sportage

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Trailer hitches Park outside

    NHTSA 22V703000 Reported 70,887 vehicles potentially affected Kia America, Inc.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow…

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge.…

  2. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside

    NHTSA 21V137000 Reported 379,931 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles…

  3. Engine and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 18V907000 Reported 71,653 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    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. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump…

    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. Kia's number for…

164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 12 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 43,146 miles. Complaints peaked in 2025 with 33 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The vehicle suffered a primary connecting rod bearing failure covered under the Theta II class action warranty campaign. A brand-new warranty engine long-block was installed by an authorized dealershi”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 19, 2026 · Engine

“Shortly after driving away, before reaching a highway on-ramp, I noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. I turned around and returned to the location. By the time I arrived, the vehicle was emitting bl”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 10, 2026 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2018 Kia Sportage (Sportage AWD, Sportage FE AWD, Sportage FE FWD, Sportage FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined21–26 mpg
City / Highway20–23 / 23–30
FuelRegular
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engine4 cyl, 2/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Compare Kia Sportage model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Sportage model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1995 Kia Sportage256
1996 Kia Sportage357
1997 Kia Sportage3181
1998 Kia Sportage3303
1999 Kia Sportage3284
2000 Kia Sportage2304
2001 Kia Sportage0228
2002 Kia Sportage1234
2003 Kia Sportage04
2005 Kia Sportage368
2006 Kia Sportage1111
2007 Kia Sportage277
2008 Kia Sportage398
2009 Kia Sportage380
2010 Kia Sportage220
2011 Kia Sportage6181
2012 Kia Sportage5392
2013 Kia Sportage3381
2014 Kia Sportage3123
2015 Kia Sportage2146
2016 Kia Sportage2132
2017 Kia Sportage4401
2018 Kia Sportage3164
2019 Kia Sportage270
2020 Kia Sportage2161
2021 Kia Sportage254
2022 Kia Sportage146
2023 Kia Sportage6191
2024 Kia Sportage373
2025 Kia Sportage152
2026 Kia Sportage127

Checking a specific 2018 Kia Sportage

How do I know if my 2018 Kia Sportage has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2018 Kia Sportage; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V907000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Kia models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.