2021 Kia Sportage Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Sportage. The EPA rates it 21 to 26 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 2
- Owner complaints
- 54
- Crashes / fires reported
- 3 / 7
- EPA combined
- 21–26 MPG
2021 Kia Sportage recalls
Trailer HitchesSep 19, 2022 · NHTSA 22V703000+
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.
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.
Service Brakes, HydraulicMar 4, 2021 · NHTSA 21V137000+
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.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2021 Kia Sportage problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Engine23
- Unknown or Other14
- Engine and Engine Cooling7
- Electrical System6
- Power Train4
- Visibility/Wiper2
- Fuel/Propulsion System2
- Exterior Lighting2
2021 Kia Sportage gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FWD | 2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 25 | 23 | $2,800 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2021 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Kia Sportage, most recently for the trailer hitches (Sep 19, 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (23), unknown or other (14), engine and engine cooling (7).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Sportage get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Sportage at 21 to 26 MPG combined (best version: 23 city / 30 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.