Complaint volume
156 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Kia Sportage Complaints
156 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Kia Sportage, grouped by component category.
156 Total complaints
11 Crash reports
11 Fire reports
7 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, engine and engine cooling. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 11 crash reports, 11 fire reports, 7 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 37 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 33,736 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, engine and engine cooling?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Kia Sportage?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Kia Sportage
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Kia Sportage complaints?
11 Crash
11 Fire
7 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Kia Sportage complaint categories?
ENGINE 55
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6
STRUCTURE 5
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5
SERVICE BRAKES 4
STEERING 4
156 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | ENGINE | NHTSA Complaint Description — Kia Sportage Engine Stall While driving my 2020 Kia Sportage in mid‑June 2026 on I‑45 in Houston, TX, the vehicle suddenly stalled while I was driving, with no warning lights, messages, or symptoms beforehand. This created a dangerous situation because I was in active highway traffic and had to pull over immediately. My oil change was due on 06/02/2026, but even between 06/15–06/20, the vehicle should still have had oil. A car does not lose all oil in two weeks under normal conditions. The sudden stall and lack of oil indicate a mechanical defect, not a maintenance issue. I received a Kia notice around December 2025 or early January 2026 stating that my vehicle’s year and model could be eligible for an engine defect inspection. The letter explained that even if my VIN does not show up in their system, the model/year is still included. My vehicle is showing the same symptoms described in the defect notice, including unexpected stalling and oil loss. The problem has not yet been inspected or confirmed by the dealer, but the incident clearly shows a serious safety risk. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2026 | TIRES | COMPONENTS FAILED & EVIDENCE: 4 dry-rotted Kumho Crugen Premium tires, size 225/60R17, DOT 272A YANH 1319. Replaced due to hazard. High-definition photo proof of the severe dry rot defects, deep tread cracking, and the 2019 date stamps discovered upon removal is fully preserved and available.SAFETY RISK & CONCEALMENT: Operating on 7-year-old structurally compromised rubber posed a severe blowout liability on the highway. At delivery, 3 of the 4 tires were mounted inside-out. This reversed mounting placed the worst dry rot cracking and the 4-digit date code (1319, meaning March 2019 manufacture) on the inner undercarriage, actively obscuring a critical safety defect and the expiration date from a standard consumer visual inspection.NEGLIGENT INSPECTION HISTORY: The dealer had physical possession of this vehicle twice: first for pre-sale certification, and second for post-sale service. Prior to the second release, the consumer explicitly texted instructions to ensure the vehicle was completely safe with no issues. The service bay subsequently texted back confirming they performed a "once over" and verified "no issues." The dealer twice failed its duty of care, ignored a critical hazard, and falsely certified road-readiness. Corporate legal has been notified and is stonewalling.DISCOVERY & SEVERE SYMPTOMS: Failure was discovered only after a nail punctured the rear passenger tire, prompting a close inspection of all four wheels. Two weeks prior, all 4 tires simultaneously dropped to half-capacity air pressure. This simultaneous deflation indicates the extensive dry rot completely compromised the rubber compound's structural integrity and ability to hold air pressure, creating a progressive failure condition. ALL 4 TIRES WERE SEVERELY DRYROT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2026 | ENGINE | I bought vehicle used from a Honda dealership at 51,000 miles. At 55,000 my engine broke, mechanics found metal fragments in my engine. The Honda dealer nor Kia were willing to do nothing. So I had purchase new engine at 12,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | Engine died. Complete failure with 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Kia Sportage. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 25,881, and while trying to trade the vehicle with another dealer, it was discovered through the Carfax report that the odometer was rolled back 4,000 miles at the time of the sale. The corrected mileage was 29,881. | Crash: No Fire: No | 29,881 |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. I was able to safely pull to the side of the road. The engine would not restart. Upon inspection, the engine was found to be completely out of oil despite being maintained according to recommended oil change intervals and not being overdue for service. There were no visible oil leaks under the vehicle and no prior low oil warning light or oil pressure warning light was observed before the failure. The vehicle had previously been serviced by a Kia dealership for turbocharger-related concerns, including turbocharger boost control and wastegate actuator issues. The dealership later diagnosed the vehicle with a burnt valve in cylinder #1 and recommended complete engine replacement. I am concerned because this vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption without sufficient warning to prevent engine failure. The vehicle stalled while being driven, creating a potential safety hazard due to sudden loss of power in traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection. The failure has been confirmed by a Kia dealership service department. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 73,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | The car shook and lights came on at a stop light and began violently knocking. Since it was at a stop light the safety was a risk had the hazard lights weren't engaged immediately. The dealer confirmed it was a catastrophic engine failure. An inspector for the warranty company was deployed two times. The lights only appeared at the time of engine failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle rapidly burns through engine oil between oil changes without visible external leaks. The condition appears related to the engine lubrication and internal engine components. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The excessive oil consumption creates a risk of sudden engine failure, engine seizure, loss of power while driving, or vehicle stalling in traffic. This creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle could lose acceleration or stop unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds or in traffic conditions, increasing the risk of an accident or injury. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The excessive oil consumption has been consistently reproduced during normal driving conditions. The vehicle requires frequent oil top-offs between oil changes. The issue has been discussed with a dealership/repair facility, and the symptoms are consistent with widespread Kia engine oil consumption complaints. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle will be inspected by a Kia dealership or repair facility regarding the excessive oil consumption issue. No police or insurance inspection has occurred related to this issue. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Symptoms included rapid oil loss between oil changes, the need to frequently add oil, and concerns about low oil levels. Warning indicators related to low oil or engine performance appeared after the oil consumption worsened. According to service records from Walmart dated December 29, 2023, the issue was present at that time and has progressively | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | In October of 2025 my husband noticed that our car was idling roughly and checked that there was plenty of oil in the system. The dipstick was pretty much empty so my husband added approximately 3 quarts of oil to bring it up to a little over half. After a thousand miles he checked to make sure it was still holding stead just in case. When he did so the dip stick again showed nearly empty. On approximately October 13, 2025 we took our vehicle into the local Kia Service center and they informed us that we would have to do an oil consumption test. The results of this test were that we were losing 2 quarts of oil per 1000 miles. We asked what could be done to remedy the situation and were told we would have to pay $900 for a chemical treatment that "might fix the problem". They said if the $900 cleaning did not work we would have to pay to have the engine repaired/replaced which we simply can't afford. Upon doing some research online we found that this was a problem that a lot of people had not just with our product year but that previous cars of the same make and model had a class action lawsuit due to similar issues. We drive 85 miles per day 5 days a week and feel that this is a major safety hazard. We also have a [XXX] daughter who would potentially be impacted if something happened while driving on the interstate. This is our only vehicle and is essential to our jobs as I work as a rehab director and occupational therapy assistant in a memory care facility and my husband is an assistant manager with a local business that requires him to use our car daily. We sent certified letters to Kia Corporate on Monday May 11, 2026 after attempting to deal with the dealership directly regarding these problems with no remedies offered there. Yesterday, my husband called Kia Corporate and they claimed that they hadn't received the letter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | I respectfully request that NHTSA review this issue for potential safety related defect trends involving excessive oil consumption that progress to catastrophic engine failure in 2020 Kia Sportages equipped with the 2.4L engine. The vehicle consumed oil at an abnormal rate between oil changes despite routine maintenance and regular oil level checks, and the condition ultimately resulted in a non-operational vehicle. Over the months leading up to the failure, I was forced to add oil at least monthly and began checking the oil level more frequently due to the rate of loss. I maintain my vehicle carefully and have consistently kept up with oil changes. In March 2026, the vehicle broke down after I experienced a sudden loss of power and stalling, and the engine ultimately failed and left the vehicle non-operational. When an engine consumes oil rapidly and then stalls or loses power unexpectedly, drivers can face an increased risk of a crash particularly if the failure occurs at highway speeds or in traffic. I have found numerous similar complaints posted online by other Kia owners describing the same pattern of excessive oil consumption followed by sudden loss of power, stalling, and/or engine failure. While I understand online posts are not formal findings, the volume and consistency of these reports suggest a broader trend that warrants NHTSA review for potential defects and safety impacts. After the failure, I had the vehicle towed to Kia of [XXX] . The service department advised that the engine requires replacement and quoted approximately $14,000 for the repair. The invoice I received (#XXX) states that the technician recommends “short block motor replacement,” but the dealership verbally stated they would not perform only a short block replacement and would instead replace the complete engine because, in their view, a short block-only repair would lead to additional problems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle: 2020 Kia Sportage Issue: Excessive Oil Consumption — TSB #TSB_ENG222 I am reporting a recurring issue involving excessive engine oil consumption in my 2020 Kia Sportage. The engine is consuming oil at an abnormal rate between scheduled oil changes, requiring me to add approximately 2.5 quarts of oil every month to maintain safe operating levels. This issue first began approximately 6 months ago and has been ongoing since. The affected component is the engine system, specifically related to abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue poses a serious safety risk to me and my children. If the oil level drops too low, it can lead to sudden engine failure, loss of power while driving, or engine seizure. This creates a dangerous situation, especially when driving at highway speeds or in traffic, increasing the risk of an accident. The problem has been consistent and reproducible. It has been confirmed by an independent service center, which verified that the vehicle is consuming oil excessively beyond normal operating standards. I have brought attention to this issue through service evaluations, but no permanent repair has been provided to resolve the root cause. Prior to the issue, there were no clear warning signs. In some instances, the oil warning light only illuminates after oil levels have already dropped to a critically low level, limiting my ability to prevent potential engine damage or failure. This ongoing defect raises serious concerns about the safety, reliability, and longevity of the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 82,000 |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE | Consumes more than 1 liter of oil per 1000 miles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 70,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 107,000 while having a routine oil change. The service records indicated that the mileage had been altered. | Crash: No Fire: No | 107,000 |
| Feb 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Car was driving, stopped at a stoplight, never moved again. 3 lights came on, Check Engine, Check Oil (Which had been serviced previously by a month and a half), and Check Battery. Bob Sight Kia has stated Engine issues associated with the rods failing and the starter not functioning due the the manifold, I am uncertain to the technical terms. It was late at night, the area only semi lit up and I had to wait for a tow in unsafe conditions as I was stuck in a turn lane. Prior to the failure, no issues. This is my only means of transport as a waitress, I had recently moved into this area and plan to move again at the end of year, so my car is much needed. From the theft issues of this car to the mechanical issues over the last year, I can honestly say I will not be buying a Kia again. What I need to know now is has the threshold been met by the standards you have set through complaints by consumers like myself and the manufacturer information that a recall or a means of financially assisting this situation exist yet? The repairs quoted are literally almost half of what I owe on the car left and I do not know what to do, but am hoping to hear from you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I came home from vacation and found my car completely dead. We took the battery in and ended up changing this. Soon later my cars power steering and dashboard would go in and out. I took it to Mark Kia who believed it to be the alternator, so they replace this. I picked the car up and not even 20 minutes later the same issues were occurring so I took it back where then they replaced the connector. I picked up my car and about a month went by and same thing occurred while I was driving even having my car completely die while driving it. I took it back in and now they believe it to be the engine harness. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | ENGINE | In April of 2025, it was noticed that my Sportage was consuming oil. There were no leaks or smoke just having to put oil in. Two mechanics stated that’s just Kia. On the night of 1/30/2026 my Sportage had an engine light come on. After the winter storm, I was able to get the code read and it came back as a Cylinder 1 Misfire. In May of 2025 I replaced all coil packs and spark plugs. On 2/1/26 we replaced the coil packs and spark plug. On 2/4/2026, Kia told me I have to replace the engine. I am still paying the vehicle off. This does seem to be an issue with Kia engines 2.4 from what I’m reading. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the knock sensor had failed. The knock sensors were replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, two months after the knock sensors were replaced, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and failed to move forward. The caution warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact called an independent mechanic, who arrived at the location where the contact had pulled over. The independent mechanic used a handheld code reader, and an unknown code showed that the problem was due to the oil and engine. The independent mechanic checked the oil, and the oil level was low. The contact stated that the oil had been changed a week prior to the failure. The independent mechanic added oil, and the vehicle restarted, and the warning lights disappeared. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. However, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the knock sensor had failed, and the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. However, the oil was changed. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the knock sensor had failed, and that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, causing damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact was adding oil to the engine two or three times per week, and the oil was changed every two weeks. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES | On [XXX], I had a scheduled repair appointment for my 2020 Kia Sportage, which is experiencing swaying and instability, and unable to keep the vehicle straight at highway speeds in the front end, and ABS/brake issue on the driver-side front wheel. During the service appointment, my service advisor, informed me that a metal undershield was not secure and recommended its removal due to not being vital to the safety, which I agreed to. However, the main concerns of swaying and brake issues remained unresolved. the master mechanic, test-drove the vehicle but was unable to reproduce the issue. I was told that a possible cause could be a messed-up air gap or a toe ring starting to split. That it would be $500 if that’s not the issue. I need to mention I have a warranty. I scheduled another service appointment for January 16th, 2026, hoping for a resolution. However, the service advisor, informed me that the technician was unable to find any issues with the vehicle after a test drive. I questioned the findings, pointing out that the mileage in and out was only 3 miles, making it impossible to properly diagnose the issue at highway speeds and was told it was taken down [XXX] which is not doable in 3 miles. Given the circumstances, I am concerned about the trustworthiness of the diagnostics and repairs performed on my vehicle, including the recall. I have audio and video evidence to support my claims. I would appreciate answers to the following questions: 1. How are complimentary car washes handled? 2. How was my vehicle driven on [XXX] to diagnose the swaying and inability to keep the vehicle straight in 3 miles or zero miles? 3. Why was I advised that I would be charged $500 for a new axle if that was not the issue when I brought the vehicle in for diagnostic testing? 4. How is my vehicle being diagnosed at highway speeds with no mileage or 3 miles added to the odometer? 5. How vital is the removed metal heat shield to the safety of the car? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ENGINE | My 2020 Kia Sportage continues to consume too much oil. There is not a leak detected where I park my car during work, nor in my garage. I need to add oil to the vehicle every other week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving my 2020 Kia Sportage recently and experienced a safety issue 3 times within 30 minutes. I was driving on a highway (Pennsylvania Turnpike/I-76) at night. Prior to the issue occurring, I drove through an area where snow was falling, there was fresh salt on the road, and I had been behind salt trucks briefly at different times. While driving through the snow and with exposure to the salt, my car notified me that the forward Collision Detection system could not operate because the sensors were blocked. Some time later in the drive, after that notification had turned off and remained off for a bit of time, I engaged my cruise control which uses the forward Collision Detection system. At 3 different times, I either approached a barrier (which run a large portion of I-76 to separate the east and west bound lanes) or a vehicle (I believe it was a semi truck) in the lane next to me while entering a curve. While entering the curve, the sensor saw these items and falsely detected a vehicle in front of me, and responded by rapidly slowing my vehicle. Two times the vehicle speed dropped about 20 mph within 30 seconds. On each occasion, I was fortunate that there was no vehicle close behind me that likely would have rear-ended me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ENGINE | Engine started tapping/knocking and oil light started flashing. Once home I checked the dipstick. Appeared burnt with no oil on dipstick. Waited an hour to cool and started adding oil. Added 2 quarts nothing on dipstick. Added 2 half quarts and finally a touch on the end of dipstick. Added more oil and finally got it to the bottom the range. It would take at least another quart to get to proper levels. Took to dealership where I was told I needed a new engine. Prior to the failure there was NEVER any indicator light letting me know oil was low. Just as a car goes low on gas and the gas light comes on you would think it would do the same for 'low oil'....that NEVER happened. This is a 2020 KIA Sportage with a 2.4L Theta II engine. There is a class action lawsuit for the years 2011-2019. I unfortunately, fall oustide of the covered suit. It's still the same engine with the same faults | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ENGINE | I own a 2020 Kia Sportage that is currently within the 100,000-mile power-train warranty. The vehicle has been experiencing EXCESSIVE OIL consumption, requiring oil to be added between scheduled oil changes, despite no visible leaks or warning indicators. I have consistently maintained the vehicle according to Kia's recommended maintenance schedule. Oil changes were performed regularly, including some done at home. For those oil changes, I have kept vehicle maintained with regular oil changes and more the last 9 months. There is NO evidence that improper maintenance caused the oil consumption. Will be reaching out to Kia customer service to see what next steps are. Maintenance dept constantly wants to fix things on car that are not needed yet will not report issues with Engine. Very disappointed customer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ENGINE | Driving to grandmas Christmas weekend on the highway all of a sudden my car couldn’t keep speed was shaking the check engine light came on. Now my cylinder one psi is only 50. I have noticed over 100 complaints with very similar car issues. I just bought this car 5 months ago from a dealership. I have barely put 4,000 miles on the car myself. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |