Every 2018 Kia Sportage recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 22V703000
Sep 19, 2022Trailer HitchesPark outside
- 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.
- Risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V703000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 21V137000
Apr 3, 2021Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V137000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →
2018 Kia Sportage complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Sportage, reporting 7 crashes, 12 fires, 5 injuries. Kia has issued at least 133 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine91
- Electrical System29
- Unknown Or Other19
- Power Train18
- Fuel/Propulsion System11
- Steering9
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (54)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (51)
- Equipment (22)
- Engine (20)
- Power Train (10)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (7)
Read Kia Sportage owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2018 Kia Sportage
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Sportage. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2018 KIA SPORTAGESep 10, 2026 · RI
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763274
Fire
“1. Component or System Malfunction & Availability Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer Reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident.”
2018 KIA SPORTAGEMay 26, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11740223
Fire
“On 1/26/2024 approximately 9am, my husband had been driving on the highway for about 2 hours and pulled over to shut his eyes for a few minutes. He shut off the engine, closed his eyes and immediately smelled smoke. Black smoke began coming from under the hood and quickly got worse.”
2018 KIA SPORTAGEMar 26, 2026 · MO
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11727238
Fire
“My vehicle make and model has been documented to have had engine issues which has caused car fires from the engine compartment from what has been documented this is my best guess.”
2018 KIA SPORTAGEOct 23, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11695264
Injury reportedFire
“The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended.”
2018 KIA SPORTAGEMay 12, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11660415
Check your Sportage by VIN
Not every 2018 Kia Sportage is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →