2016 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Kia Sportage: 2 recalls, 133 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine, Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V907000 · 2018 · 71,653 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #22V051000 · 2022 · 126,747 vehicles
What's wrong: The hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the hecu circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (61): the most common themes are noise or vibration (24), warning light on (20), fire / smoke (18).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (31): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3), leaks (2).
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are fire / smoke (6), electrical failure (6), noise or vibration (3).
The 2016 Kia Sportage has 133 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 152). Complaints peaked in 2022 (56 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 60,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (146 complaints, 2 recalls), 2017 (401 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Kia Sportage.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (61), brakes (hydraulic) (31), other / unknown (18).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.