2021 Kia Sportage recalls

2 safety recalls, 54 owner complaints and a 5-star NHTSA crash rating. Official NHTSA data.

20272026202520242023202220212020
2Recalls
54Complaints
10Crashes & fires reported
5/5NHTSA overall rating

Not every 2021 Kia Sportage is affected by every recall. Check your VIN to see open recalls on your exact vehicle.

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2021 Kia Sportage recall list

Trailer Hitches recall

Park outside22V-703
September 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc.
Problem
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 hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Safety risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic recall

Park outside21V-137
March 4, 2021 · Kia Motors America
Problem
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.
Safety risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
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 equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

2021 Kia Sportage owner complaints

54 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Problems by component

Engine23
Unknown or Other14
Engine and Engine Cooling7
Electrical System6
Power Train4
Visibility/Wiper2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Exterior Lighting2
Trailer Hitches2
Structure1

Recent complaints

October 2, 2026Engine and Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after an oil change, while leaving the dealer and driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and checked the oil dipstick and became aware that there was no oil on the dipstick. Since the failure, oil had been added to the engine three times. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, opened a case, and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 103,916.

September 29, 2026Engine

My 2021 Kia Sportage is in Limp Mode at 2,000 RPM, and my mechanic confirmed it has the P1326 Knock Sensor code stored. Vin [XXX]. I need to see if my car can be added to the list of vehicles regarding the product improvement campaign PI2002A. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

September 26, 2026Engine

The Kia never showed an engine light error or gave a code stating there was a problem. We Change the oil every 3000 miles. There was no oil on the dip stick and the oil was extremely low. The engine seized up today.

September 16, 2026Power TrainStructureVisibility/Wiper

Severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 Kia Sportage. A physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident. The vehicle also has chronic failure of the air conditioning system, documented by Sunset Kia of Sarasota as a leaking evaporator. This prevents the windshield from defrosting during heavy Florida rains, severely impairing visibility. Dealer confirmed these hazards under a signed repair order on June 3 2026, but Kia Corporate closed case 25175676 without any physical technical inspection, leaving an unsafe vehicle on the road.

August 20, 2026Engine and Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

See attached document for complaint.

2021 Kia Sportage crash test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Kia Sportage SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Driver aids on the tested 2021 Kia Sportage: electronic stability control standard, forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning standard. Rollover risk: 14.7%.

2021 Kia Sportage recall FAQ

Does the 2021 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Sportage. The most recent, filed September 19, 2022, concerns the trailer hitches.

What are the most common 2021 Kia Sportage problems?

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is engine (23 reports), followed by unknown or other.

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage safe?

The 2021 Kia Sportage earned up to a 5-star overall safety rating in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2021 Kia Sportage?

Contact any authorized Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.