2018 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

85Engine complaints

53.8%Of all 158 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE85 · 53.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM27 · 17.1%

Unspecified / other19 · 12%

POWER TRAIN17 · 10.8%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10 · 6.3%

Share of the 158 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Kia Sportage overview page.

What owners report

“I had an oil change done because my engine oil level was showing low on the dipstick. I had just had an oil change about…”NHTSA complaint 11660461 — filed 05/12/2025

“I just found out by the jiffy lube manager where I go for my oil changes. That my Kia is involved in the oil consumption…”NHTSA complaint 11653360 — filed 04/08/2025

“first time I had an issue was in August 2023, my check engine light came on, the car was losing power and sputtering. when I…”NHTSA complaint 11636387 — filed 01/16/2025

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Sportage have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Kia Sportage: 85 of 158 complaints on file (53.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Kia Sportage have in total?

158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 7 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.