2018 Kia Sportage: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2018 / kia / sportage
known issues	6 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-21)
complaints	163 on file (2018-05-24 → 2026-09-10)
recalls	3
investigations	1
fars	41 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Excessive oil consumption and engine failureENGINE55 complaints2018-09 → 2026-08sportage-2018-oil-consumption-engine-failure

11751070 The engine consumes excessive oil due to the known Theta II piston oil control ring defect that the manufacturer documents in its own Technical Service Bulletin ENG222, covering this engine family across model years 2011 to 2024
11702785 My 2018 Kia Sportage (2.4L Theta II GDI engine) suddenly triggered diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System – Detection of Excessive Connecting Rod Bearing Wear) and entered limp mode at 111,595 miles on Sep 13, 2025
11696475 The original factory engine is malfunctioning, causing excess oil consumption -- at or over one quart consumption per 1000 miles -- believed to be caused by fouled piston rings

Anti-theft system failure and vehicle theftELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 complaints2022-01 → 2026-01sportage-2018-anti-theft-system-failure

11713189 Took my car for the theft recall and had it performed, my vehicle was stolen last night and the theft used a USB charging cable to steal it, the recall did not fix this
11449031 This Kia Sportage's alarm system does not go off when the passenger front window is broken. My car was broken into and the youth stripped the steering column and was able to start my car without needing the key nor having the key within the vehicle
11504959 The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available

Spontaneous sunroof shattering while drivingVISIBILITY/WIPER4 complaints2019-04 → 2023-08sportage-2018-sunroof-shattering

11536965 Driving down interstate, mid-morning, and my front sunroof imploded. VERY loud, like a bomb or gunshot. Shattered glass everywhere, all over myself and my car
11230005 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR
11202781 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED

Paint and clear coat peeling on exterior trimSTRUCTURE5 complaints2022-07 → 2025-11sportage-2018-paint-clear-coat-peeling

11696946 I purchased a 2018 Kia Sportage and ever since the last few years the paint is starting to come off of this vehicle
11473015 The clear coat on my 2018 KIA sportage has started to peel on side mirrors and roof
11669089 Paint peeling off side mirrors and rear spoiler

Electrical system failure with loss of steering and lightsELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 complaints2019-02 → 2021-11sportage-2018-electrical-power-loss

11441100 I was driving and the radio went out along with navigation screen, then power steering went out along with headlights, tail lights
11205235 HEADLIGHTS AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM FLICKER AND GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT
11232675 ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD COME ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT'S GENERALLY NIGHT TIME

Engine compartment fire while drivingENGINE11 complaints2019-12 → 2026-05sportage-2018-engine-compartment-fire

11740223 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)
11354958 TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A SCHOOL ZONE AND ENTERING THE SCHOOL LOT AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THERE WAS GREY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD
11421190 I was driving to work, sitting at a stoplight when my car started releasing smoke from under the hood. All warning lights lit up, the car stalled, and the smoke got darker and more intense

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
163	2018-05-24	2026-09-10	7	12	ENGINE:90; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:29; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:19; POWER TRAIN:18; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:11

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V907000	19/12/2018	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	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.	A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.	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.
21V137000	04/03/2021	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	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.	An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.	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.
22V703000	19/09/2022	TRAILER HITCHES	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.	A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	41	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Kia Sportage vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/kia/sportage

@misc{wrenchpro_2018_kia_sportage_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Kia Sportage},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/kia/sportage}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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