Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on September 19, 2022 (Trailer hitches). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (91 complaints), followed by electrical system (30).

How many 2018 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?

7 of 165 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2018 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

3 recalls and 165 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Sportage.

recalls

165

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2018 Kia Sportage recalls

Trailer hitches

NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · reported September 19, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 70,887 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · reported March 4, 2021 · Kia Motors America · 379,931 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Engine · Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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 this recall is SC172.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine91
Electrical system30
Unknown or other20
Power train18
Fuel/propulsion system11
Steering9
Vehicle speed control8
Exterior lighting6
Service brakes6
Structure6

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical system
I have spent two months trying to get my keys re-programmed to the system and the dealership informed me that the system has been "bypassed" somehow with no solution. This is after my account had been taken over and at one point the vehicle was being remotely controlled. I am out $500.00 for keys that cant work and…

Sep 19, 2026 · Engine
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 dealership. Immediately upon vehicle pickup, the brand-new engine began exhibiting an un-metered acceleration defect. While…

Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical system · fire reported
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 black smoke, and shortly after, it was fully engulfed in fire before I could retrieve a fire extinguisher. Vehicle has a…

Aug 16, 2026 · Power train
Purchased my Kia on the … then on the …, My engine light came on and my car went into Safety Mode . I at once took it to Auto Zone and their test came back with P1326 Knock signal range / performance. I then looked it up and found that a recall was put out quite a while back called an […] # took my car to Kia…

Aug 13, 2026 · Engine
2018 Kia Sportage (78,051 miles). Vehicle is part of the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement due to severe internal engine defects. The engine suffers from catastrophic oil consumption, running almost completely dry three times in less than six months with no external leaks, meaning it is internally burning motor oil…

Sportage model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2015	2	146	7	11
2016	2	134	8	5
2017	4	403	14	28
2018	3	165	7	12
2019	2	71	3	3
2020	2	164	11	13
2021	2	54	3	7

Across all years, the 2017 Sportage has the most complaints (403). All Kia Sportage years →

Questions

Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on September 19, 2022 (Trailer hitches). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sportage?: Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (91 complaints), followed by electrical system (30).
How many 2018 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?: 7 of 165 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 21, 2026.