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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oct 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and Medved Kia (11201 W Interstate 70 Frontage Rd N, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Car was stolen using a known design flaw in the steering column. Have been without my car for over two months now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This complaint is against Fox rent a car . We rented a car from Fox car rentals located near Denver airport . Unfortunately our car was hit by a deer we called the police and they prepared a report the deputy sheriff Also mentioned that Fox rent a car has rented us and expired registration and under repo/recall vehicle which may have serious consequences for us. Nevertheless we returned the car and filled a accident form with our insurance policy and police report details . The employee at the location confirmed that since we are insured with Allstate we are only responsible to pay the deductible which in our case was $1000. Now we are received a demand from fox rental for $1810.53 . We have agreed to pay the deductible but not a single cent more . Also we would like to claim any appropriate damages / compensation for negligence and irresponsibility by fox rental for renting us expired registration car under repossession . Police officer card and case number with damage form attached | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while vehicle was parked, with the engine running, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated on the vehicle and would not turn off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the contact thought was the reason for the warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired, however the warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the local dealer inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 13,000 |
| Jul 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he and his wife began to smell a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle without warning. Soon after smelling the fuel, a flame had ignited from the engine as a dark, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and both he and his wife exited the vehicle as the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The authorities were called to the scene and the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed. No injuries were reported at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent scrap yard as it had been completely destroyed by the fire. Three weeks after the failure, the contact received a call from the dealer where he purchased the vehicle that there was a recall on the vehicle for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact informed the dealer of the failure with his vehicle and the dealer hung up the phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and had received no assistance. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was 10,500. | Crash: No Fire: Yes Towed | 10,500 |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving my Sportage home one night when about a mile away. The car suddenly dropped in power and the car barely moved. I couldn't get it to go any faster than 25 mpg. CAUSE UNKNOWN. It was late so I got it home but it had to be towed out to the Kia dealer. When I checked on it the next week, they told me they didn't have it in their system and blamed the tow company. "The keys were given to the "big guy in the office out front." The tow person told me. I haven't been able to get any information other than " if I want to walk the lot and find it , they would see about putting it in line. " | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I need Your clearance to return this vehicle after acknowledge the dangerous safety issue thru a letter from Kia Motors Inc. It's a Recall, the manufacture had a duty to create a vehicle that was safe for use. the law provides the manufacturer with three options for remedying the defect: repair, replacement, or refund. The replacement option is not provided to me, means my right have been violated by Kia. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | THE SCREEN IN CAR GOES COMPLETELY BLANK AND WILL NOT GO BACK ON TILL YOU TURN CAR BACK ON. BLIND SPOT WARNING DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK ON HIGHWAY COLLISION LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE ISN'T ANYONE IN FRONT OF YOU BACKROADS AND HIGHWAY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 530 |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED ON BUMPER CONTACT WITH A CLOSED GARAGE DOOR FROM 6 INCHES. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ALUMINUM GARAGE DOOR AND NO MARK ON THE REAR BUMPER. CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR IDLED INTO DOOR WHEN FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |
| Apr 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V137000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STERLING KIA (197 N. EARL RUDDER FWY, BRYAN, TX 77802) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART 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 | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH NO CARS AROUND ME WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS WAS DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURE ISN'T TRYING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CONFIRM HOW THE DENIAL WAS DETERMINED NOR WILL THEY PRODUCE A FORMAL DENIAL LETTER. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN MY OPINION IS I DON'T EVEN THINK KIA LOOKED AT THE PHOTOS BECAUSE WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM (BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED FOR A CLAIM WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS) I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEM. WHEN I ASKED THE BODY SHOP HOW THEY PROVIDED THEM TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD BY TEXT. I OPENED A CASE WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH OUT TO ME AND THE CASE HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 34 DAYS NOW. I WAS TOLD BY A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS USUALLY TAKES 3DAYS TO REACH OUT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,500 |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I WAS DRIVING AND I BEGAN SMELLING A BURNING SMELL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN STRONGER AND NOT GONE AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT THERE WAS RECALLS ON VEHICLE THAT WERE MY MAKE AND MODEL AND THE RECALL DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT GOTTEN A RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC CAR YET AND THOUGH THEY COULD DETECT AN 'ODOR' THEY WEREN'T CERTAIN WHAT IT WAS FROM AND LITERALLY TOLD ME TO NOT PARK INDOORS. AND IF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE TO EXIT QUICKLY. I ALSO CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND THAT I COULD TRY ANOTHER PLACE FOR A SECOND OPINION. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS A RECALL AND MY FUSES NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. NO ONE WANTED TO HELP ME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,500 |
| Mar 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE MARCH 4TH OF 2021. HOWEVER, EVERY KIA DEALER I HAVE CONTACTED HAS SAID MY SPORTAGE DOESN'T HAVE ONE, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE MEETS THE PARAMETERS OF MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND MANUFACTURING DATE. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS SC206A AND THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 21V137. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN APRIL OF 2019 WHICH FALLS UNDER THE SPORTAGES AFFECTED. GIVEN THAT THIS RECALL IS A SERIOUS MATTER, I WOULD LIKE THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH GREAT SPEED AND LUNGED THE CAR FORWARD INTO A CEMENT WALL. I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND GOING VERY SLOW WHEN IT DARTED FORWARD. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT NUMBER AND THE ELECTRONIC SENSORS | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 7,400 |
| Mar 2021 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A SMOKE ODOR WAS DETECTED AND ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES IGNITING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO SELL THE CONTACT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600. *DT | Crash: No Fire: Yes Towed | 11,600 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ANIMALS ARE CHEWING ON THE WIRES, CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN A CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |