DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Kia / Sportage / 2018

Model Year Problem Record

Kia Sportage 2018 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2018 Kia Sportage: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

165Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
28Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine96 complaints

96 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V907000.

Electrical System30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V137000.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 22V703000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

18V907000Reported December 19, 2018 - 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 19, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 71,653 vehicles across all affected models.

21V137000Reported March 4, 2021 - 379,931 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 4, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 379,931 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory
22V703000Reported September 19, 2022 - 70,887 vehicles potentially affected

Trailer Hitches and Towing. Recall covering the trailer hitches and towing system, reported to NHTSA on September 19, 2022. The campaign covers an estimated 70,887 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ23002Opened November 17, 2023 - Open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20188
201925
20209
202114
202218
202325
202413
202533
202620
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.