Owners have reported 7 crashes, 8 fires and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 KIA Sportage. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints53
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report engine issues, particularly involving excessive oil consumption and connecting rod bearing failures. Typical symptoms include the vehicle entering limp mode, check engine lights illuminating, and diagnostic trouble codes such as P1326 and P0303. Many complaints arise around 100,000 to 120,000 miles, with some reports occurring as early as 18,000 miles. Safety concerns are notable, with several owners describing incidents of engine fires, sudden loss of power, and at least one injury associated with engine failure. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially regarding the potential for engine-related safety risks and the need for possible repairs or replacements.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 5 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with common problems including theft vulnerability even after anti-theft updates, and persistent headlight failures despite multiple repair attempts. Symptoms often involve headlights being non-functional, power windows failing, and electrical shorts affecting brake lights. Several complaints describe engine-related electrical issues, such as the engine not shutting off properly and wiring harness overheating, leading to potential fire hazards. Incidents of theft and a fire have been reported, highlighting safety risks. These problems are noted across a range of mileages, with some issues emerging shortly after purchase, while others appear after the warranty period.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving the transmission and engine performance. Common symptoms include unexpected downshifting, loss of acceleration, engine revving without speed increase, and the vehicle slipping into a neutral-like state. These problems often occur at various speeds, with some reports indicating issues as early as 25,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by instances of sudden deceleration on highways and the inability to accelerate, posing risks during merging or in heavy traffic. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these recurring issues, as they may involve significant repair costs and potential safety implications.
Owner complaints13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 KIA Sportage frequently report issues with paint peeling on exterior components, particularly side mirrors and rear spoilers. Several complaints also mention significant oil-related problems, including cracked oil drain pans and unexplained oil loss, which in some cases lead to smoke and potential fire risks. Additionally, there are reports of sudden loss of power and engine stalling, often accompanied by warning lights on the dashboard, with some incidents occurring at speeds of 30-70 mph. These issues are noted across a range of mileages, with some occurring shortly after an oil change. Safety implications include incidents of smoke and fire, as well as loss of vehicle control, which could pose risks in traffic or on highways.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 KIA Sportage frequently report issues related to the steering and electrical systems. Complaints often describe complete loss of power steering, along with simultaneous electrical failures affecting headlights and dashboard electronics, which can occur suddenly while driving. Several reports mention these failures leading to crashes, including one incident with an injury. Additionally, some owners note problems with the steering column, such as the steering wheel locking unexpectedly, which poses a significant safety risk. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some recurring shortly after previous repairs. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints8
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report issues related to the service brakes, particularly involving a recall that has not been addressed due to unavailable parts. Complaints often describe a loud grinding or clicking noise and warning lights associated with the ABS module, with some reports indicating brake failure leading to crashes. Affected vehicles show mileage ranging from approximately 16,147 to 115,000 miles. Safety implications are evident in cases where brake failure resulted in collisions and incidents of the vehicle rolling unexpectedly while parked. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for unresolved recall repairs.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report issues with the vehicle's paint and clear coat. Multiple complaints describe paint chipping and clear coat peeling, particularly on the front bumper, hood, roof, and side mirrors. These issues appear to develop over a few years of ownership, but specific mileage is not consistently noted. Additionally, one owner reports a safety-related incident involving the sunroof imploding while driving, causing shattered glass to fall into the cabin and leading to a near-collision. These patterns suggest potential cosmetic concerns and a notable safety incident that prospective buyers should consider.
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage report issues related to vehicle speed control, with patterns indicating problems such as unintended acceleration and failure to cancel cruise control when engaging the parking brake. Symptoms described include the vehicle accelerating independently with the tachometer reaching 5,000 RPMs and the cruise control not disengaging when the parking brake is applied, leading to increased acceleration. Another issue involves the vehicle entering limp mode, resulting in a dangerous reduction in speed. These complaints occur at varying mileages, with one report specifically mentioning approximately 87,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control during acceleration or deceleration, which could pose a risk in traffic situations. Buyers should be aware of these issues when considering a used 2018 Kia Sportage.
Owner complaints3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage frequently report issues related to excessive engine oil consumption. Symptoms commonly described include the illumination of warning lights such as "low oil pressure" and "Service Engine," as well as abnormal engine behavior like failure to accelerate as intended. These problems appear to occur at higher mileage, with reports around 84,000 to 150,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are mentioned, the need for repeated oil additions and potential engine component replacements like the camshaft are noted. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential issues and consider the vehicle's service history regarding oil consumption and engine diagnostics.
Owner complaints3
TRAILER HITCHES
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sportage report issues related to the trailer hitch, particularly in connection with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000. One incident involves a fire that started under the hood after the vehicle decelerated unexpectedly, leading to smoke inhalation injuries for the occupants. This incident occurred at approximately 186,000 miles, and the vehicle was deemed a total loss. Two other owners report delays in obtaining parts required for the recall repair, expressing concerns about parking their vehicles outside due to potential safety risks. These complaints highlight safety implications, including the risk of fire and delayed recall repairs.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
