CarRecallDB

2020 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

2 recalls and 164 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Sportage.

2
recalls
164
owner complaints
11
complaints mentioning a crash
13
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.

2020 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.

Most reported problems

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

What owners report

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

Oct 25, 2026 · Engine

My vehicle's check oil light repeatedly lit up on several occassions before my next scheduled maintenance. Contacted my vehicle's manufacturer for assistance and unfortunately got a lukewarm response.

Oct 22, 2026 · Engine · fire reported

I was driving and my vehicle and saw smoke and it caught on fire and burnt..

Oct 12, 2026 · Engine

Rod Bearing failure June 29,2026 with prior Kia manufacturer recalls June 19,2023: (1.) SC206, HECU fire Recall, a serious safety recall regarding the Hydraulic Electronic Control unit. The circuit board can short out and cause an engine bay fire even when the vehicle is parked. (2.) SC249B (Tow Hitch Harness Fire…

Sep 27, 2026 · Engine

My daughter's 2020 Kia Sportage S was purchased September 22, 2025 from a Nissan Dealership with 96,574 miles on it. It dove great. She used it less than 20 miles per day on residential streets to get to and from work and to church on Sunday. It was not used for interstate or freeway driving. By June of 2026, we…

Sep 6, 2026 · Power train

High oil consumption burning a quart of oil every 500-600 miles.

Sportage model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2017 44031428
2018 3165712
2019 27133
2020 21641113
2021 25437
2022 14662
2023 6193241

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

Questions

Does the 2020 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Kia Sportage?
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (77 complaints), followed by unknown or other (31).
How many 2020 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?
11 of 164 complaints report a crash and 13 a fire; 8 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 25, 2026.