Complaint volume
149 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
149 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Kia Sportage, grouped by component category.
149 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 35 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 32,724 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 52
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6
STRUCTURE 5
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5
SERVICE BRAKES 4
STEERING 4
149 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,088 |
| Mar 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE | Fuse out and back doesn't open by its self. Not sure if it's supposed to . I don't remember and the guy who sold it to me no longer works there. I was in park and the lane assist came on . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STEERING | When I turn my steering wheel in either direction, I hear and feel a clunk. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE | I was involved in an accident in February 2022 in which I had auto body damage after hitting a vehicle cutting across an uncontrolled intersection through 3 lanes of traffic where I collided into it going 35mph. On March 22 I began having issues with my car idling high, jumping and running very poorly etc. the other party’s insurance approved the repairs. March 22 My car was towed to the local Kia Dealership where it remained until may 1 due to the parts being on back order. I am unsure of what repairs were completed at that time. The day after I picked my car up I noticed a substance splattered on both sides of my car as well as the hatchback. That same day, I stopped for an oil change at my usual place when they informed me that I have a tremendous amount of oil soaking the rocker panel under my engine. They insured me that everything was put back together all nuts and bolts were in place as they should be. Showed me where the oil measured on the dipstick. A few weeks later, I stopped in for my top off to find that I was 2 quarts low on oil. I had noticed also that there were oil spots all over our driveway where there use to never be. Due to the mileage on my vehicle and reading that this is a common occurrence in vehicles with high miles I made sure I kept a close eye on my oil levels, watched for any warning lights on my vehicle(which never appeared)and never thought much more about it. But as time passes and I get my oil changed I’m always still low on oil. I reached out to the service manager at the dealership to let him know about the leak i now had. He immediately made every attempt to make this my fault. He said that the repairs they made wouldn’t have caused a leak. He was very defensive and not really interested in the concerns I had. Never once did he mention anything about the known issues these vehicles are having which are not caused by the customer. He left me feeling helpless | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE | About 6 weeks ago, I began to hear a clattering noise occasionally when I would accelerate. It wasn’t constant and I didn’t notice my vehicle driving any differently. So I chalked it up to being bad gas and thought maybe I should add a cleaner the next time I filled up. That seemed to work for a few days and then it was back. In addition to this not terrible noise, On Saturday February 11th around 2pm, while driving 75mph on the highway, out of nowhere, my check engine light began to flash and I lost speed. From 75mph on a 2 lane down to 25mpb with no shoulder to safely pull over to. I was 15 minutes from home so I continued to drive at the low speed, limping, my way home. Once at home my husband came outside and I explained what had happened. We dug into Google and found the hundreds and hundreds of articles regarding the 2.4GDI engines and the recalls etc. a couple of hours later I drove to Auto Zone to have them read the code for me. P1326 is the code that registered. So back home I went to dig around on the web for more information about what could be wrong with my car. While on my way home, only a mike from Auto Zone, my car completely stalled out. Lights, radio, etc still working the car would not start. My husband came and pulled me being that I had made it just 2 blocks from home. I drive a lot and have racked up the miles, I’m over mileage for my warranty as well as the extended warranty I purchased. Seeing that there have been so many claims denied I’m not sure what I should even do at this point. And if the 2020 were to ever be recalled it could be months before anything is done. I’m at a loss and very frustrated having to deal with this disaster. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The Kia lacks engine immobilizers. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard states that vehicles must be equipped with a starting system that prevents the activation of the engine and either steering, forward mobility, or both, whenever a car's key is removed. The purpose of the law is to decrease the likelihood that a vehicle will be stolen or accidently set in motion, and the statute applies to all passenger cars, trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles in the country. Kia knew or had knowledge to add an engine immobilizer or similar device to the cars but failed to do so despite knowing how dangerous it was to be with the critical theft prevention measures. My 2020 Kia is not safe and reliable and considered dangerous. Due to insurance companies not renewing policies on Kia vehicles and the extreme decline in value of my Kia, have made my vehicle not safe, undriveable, and not reliable. Kia falsely stated the cars are fit for their normal and intended use despite they lacked engine immobilizers at the time of sale. All of this in violation of the law and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. I have a vehicle worth $12,000 less than I bought it 8 months ago and will soon not be able to insure my vehicle and will be unable to drive it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ENGINE | - On four separate occasions, the car failed to start. On all four occasions, it was towed to the Yonkers Kia dealer. It is available for inspection if necessary. - Failure to start jeopardizes my safety as I could be stranded in the wrong neighborhood or situation. - The problem was reproduced on the third tow to the Yonkers Kia dealer. - The vehicle has been inspected on for separate occasions by the entire Yonkers Kia service team. - There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the failure. The first time the problem occurred was October 4, 2022. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | My engine seized while driving. I had it immediately towed to the local Kia dealership for inspection. The technician found that the oil drain plug was missing and the engine seized needing a complete engine repair for about $14,000. There was no indication from my vehicle that oil pressure was low or that maintenance was required. My vehicle only had 23,027 miles on it when it seized and I take my vehicle to be serviced as required. Warranty said that they will not cover the repair for my vehicle for (outside influence) because I did not get my oil change at a Kia Dealership. I have been denied by Kia customer care with every attempt to get my car repaired under warranty and I continue to be denied. I had my oil changed three months prior to the drain plug falling out and I did not need an oil change for another 2000 miles. This is a brand new vehicle with very low mileage and as a Kia customer I am not protected and with the oil drain plug just mysteriously falling out months after oil change. KIA Warranty continues to deny this and I am suffering greatly with no resolution. The oil company assured that a serious check and cross check, in addition to other procedures, are performed on every oil change that they perform. And their certified lube technicians will never use a pneumatic/power tool to tighten oil drain plugs, and it is done manually using a torque wrench to the manufacturer's specified torque. Even with this information Kia Warranty has continued to deny fixing my vehicle for outside influence. I am desperately seeking a resolution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have and had many problems including: Steering components that break suddenly, causing partial or complete loss of vehicle control, Problems with fuel system components, particularly in their susceptibility to crash damage, which result in leakage of fuel and may cause vehicle fires or gets a strong fire smell at the moment, the Accelerator controls that break or stick and has been acknowledged a Kia dealership repair man. Most recently, Wheels that make loud cracking sound, which may result in loss of vehicle control, had a poor Windshield wiper assemblies that fail to operate properly causing bad vision for driving, Critical care components that are constantly and simantously needing repair. Beyond belief. Also, Wiring system problems that result in a strong fire smell, or loss of lighting, Wiring system problems that result in a strong fire smell or loss of lighting, or loss of power. Many times, I have been left stranded after having 20 seconds of power flickering and then the car abruptly shuts off. This is very hazardous. I fear for my 5 year old child when this happens. I also have proof of emergency road side assistance for loss of power. Furthermore, I have proof and evidence via road side assistance, many invoices to different dealerships all keeping my car for several hours for diagnostic testing. Then after paying for the services, my car will have another episode of leaving me stranded in bad situations., I have pictures and videos of all these malfunctions occurring and its only a part of what I have been able to catch on video and camera because it happens so fast. I had all of the lights light up on ths dash almost looks like Christmas lights. On and off I have pictures. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 23,027 |
| Oct 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Where you insert the Key to start the car can be broken and started with a cell phone charger which intern makes it a target car theft. No safety whatsoever. My Kia was stolen in St. Louis Missouri along with hundreds of others if not thousands. I do have a police report along with everyone else in the city who has one too. No one should be able to start a car with a cell phone charger. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, an unknown object struck the middle of the windshield and formed a spiderweb crack. The contact called the dealer to file a claim but was informed that the windshield was not covered under warranty. The contact then called her insurance provider and an independent mechanic performed a minor repair to the windshield which made the crack less visible. Since the initial failure, three additional cracks had formed on various parts of the windshield after a minor impact. The contact stated that the cracks obstructed her vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Sep 2022 | ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 19,000 |
| Sep 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car was stolen August 4, 2022. My 2020 Kia Sportage was stolen out of my yard they smashed the back window face they busted the column and they use my iPhone charger to steal my car. It took 43 days for me to get back. I’m scared to park the car anywhere I don’t want the car anymore. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Dashboard showed drivers side brake light was out. I visually confirmed it was.Next day I started car again and the dashboard did not display the warning. I checked and confirmed the brake light was indeed working. A few weeks later, same thing happened: dash display indicated drivers side brake light was out, I visually confirmed it was. The next time I drove the car, dash no longer indicated brake light was out. I visually confirmed brake light was working. Took vehicle to dealer, showed them photo I had previously taken of dash display when it showed brake light was out. Dealer said he couldn’t replicate the problem and can’t do anything until he could see the dashboard indicating light was out - even though I showed him the photo. Although as of this writing, the brake light is working fine, I am fearful it will happen again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Over 5,000 vehicles are being stolen because of a defect in the steering and ignition of kia cars made between 2011 and 2020 just in my area where i live. I bought a $28,000 car that I can't even drive to work or to a store unless I have someone with me to stay in the car. I couldn't even take grandkids to a fest this past weekend cause I don't want it to get stolen. I even have to walk to work despite owning a car that I just bought four months ago. Kia dealer did not tell me about the flaw or defect. They did not tell me that kia can be started with a USB cord or I would not have bought it. They failed to tell me that so many kia's were being stolen and I would not have bought it. They are hiding flaws and defects and costing taxpayers thousands of dollars and nothing is being done about it. Do I have so spend more money to file a class action or is the NHTSA going to finally stop and make Kia issue a recall? Stolen Kia's are wasting police officer times and city money to recover and while causing damage to other vehicles and lives of other people when they flee and a pursuit exists? When is enough is enough? This is a safety issue because these are kids stealing them and crashing them and hurting other people. Are you going to wait until someone gets killed from fleeing stolen cars before you do something? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driving on hwy going to pass a car look and the mirror and was black smoke Minutes later I was trying to get out of the car took car to the shoulder car was on fire Totally lost no answers yet over what happened be careful second Kia Sportage lost | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Since I took delivery of the Sportage on 1/18/20, there has been a fuel leak. On three occasions, I asked Kirby Kia to check it and they said there was no problem. I notice that they did not include on their paperwork my requests to inspect this problem. The gas fumes are so strong that if I'm idling or stopped in traffic, I have to close all my windows and set air to recirculate. I am a senior and need someone to step in and help with this issue. Thanks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | On Sunday I was getting on the expressway and my car accelerated on its own. I hit the brake and the car was ok. That was May 22, 2020, On Wednesday, May.25,2020 I was pulling into a parking spot at Kroger Store and my car accelerated on its own and I hit a pole. Over $4000.00 damaged to my car but I was not hurt. I took my car to the dealer and they checked it and said nothing was wrong. I am afraid to drive it. I don't want to hurt anyone or myself. There were no warning lights. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his rear driver's side door and wheel well. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's head hit the seat belt anchor ring upon impact. The contact later received medical attention for a tear in his shoulder and whiplash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then to a body shop where it was repaired. The tow truck driver informed the contact that the rear axle had fractured from the sub-frame. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN, year, and model were not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 30,000 |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving a week ago with the panoramic sun roof open, I heard a loud pop. It was loud enough for me to jump and look up because I thought something had fell on the car while driving, but nothing came inside. Once I got home, I was looking at my car, the panel before the sunroof, between the windshield and the panoramic sun roof had a deep cracked line from left to right. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken it to dealership last year for repair. There was no warning lights. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE | I am writing because this is an accident, just "waiting to happen." I buy a new car every 3 or 4 years. I purchase every option, and even purchase the extended warranty package to 7 yrs, because of all the electronics in newer cars. I have never noticed on any of them, what I believe is an unsafe driving condition, until now. On my 2020 Kia Sportage...at night, when dark, and you turn off either Left or Right...for some reason, the light does not follow you...it stays focused straight ahead. So, for some seconds, you cannot see, until your car straightens out again. This, I believe is a safety issue. If there was something, in that blind spot few seconds, you would hit it; a child, a biker, a large hole, an animal or some unexpected thing...because it is impossible to see until the car totally straightens again. Accidents happen in seconds. I drive very slowly in turns, since I realized the bad decision someone at KIA made with the lighting package on this car.....but with that extra caution I take, I realize also, that someone coming behind me on the turn, could actually run into me, not expecting me to go slow as I turn off left or right....much slower than I would in daylight. I have called KIA Service and the 800 Customer Service number as well...they just refer you back and forth. So, I am writing to Consumer Safety hoping you can help. This is not an "option", it is a Safety Issue. Sincerely, [XXX] I bought it from Jim Shorkey dealership in Wexford, PA INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | STEERING | My vehicle was stolen some time between the evening of 01/09/2022 and the morning of 01/10/2022. The rear left window was smashed to allow entry into the vehicle, and no alarm was heard overnight. This vehicle was stolen without the use of a key, as both keys were inside my apartment at the time of the theft. The thieves stripped the steering column and used what appeared to be a screwdriver and/or a USB port (both items were found inside the vehicle upon recovery) to start the vehicle. This problem has made national news in Milwaukee, WI, and is becoming more common here in Columbus, OH. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | Oxt 2021 check engine light illuminated on my 2020 Kia Sportage. Code P242200 was pulled. service technician replaced the Canister Close Valve due to sticking open. Nov 2, 2021 the check engine illuminated again during a trip out of state. During the trip the engine light would go from illuminated to off a number of times. The car was returned to the dealer on November 16, 2021 The service technician retrieved code 2422 and contacted Kia tech line. It was decided to drop the fuel tank and inspect the evap canister. Spiders (yellow sac spiders) were found on the canister and webbing and spiders found in lines. Since this was an “environmental” condition and not mechanical defect this service was not covered under warranty or by a Tech Service Bulletin. At issue is that this problem (spiders being drawn to the evap canister and fuel lines) has previously been identified by the Automotive industry circa 2004 to present. This is clearly a safety defect that could cause fuel tanks or lines to rupture and environmental issues the affected parts were meant to help prevent. At issue is that this problem (spiders being drawn to the evap canister and fuel lines) has previously been identified by the Automotive industry circa 2004 to present. This is clearly a safety defect that could cause fuel tanks or lines to rupture and environmental issues the affected parts were meant to help prevent. See additional attachments. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |