2011 Kia Sportage

2011 Kia Sportage SUV 4WD

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

2011 Kia Sportage SUV FWD

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

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.

Campaign: 18V907000

ENGINE

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.

Campaign: 19V101000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Campaign: 17V224000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Campaign: 13V114000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.

Campaign: 15V360000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Campaign: 23V652000

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road. Passenger front and rear windows won't roll down. Had to replace battery as well. Inside door handles fell off as well as outside rear handles.tire pressure indicator light stays on as well as the park assist and drive train lights stay on.problem with car going in drive sometimes it locks up and have to restart and slam on brakes several times to unlock

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine light was flashing, and the vehicle went into ECO mode. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and engine failure due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Update to NHTSA (ODI #11679186) Subject: Update to ODI Complaint #11679186 – Kia America Written Response Body: Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to provide an update to my ODI Complaint #11679186 regarding my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ), which caught fire while I was driving on [XXX]. On August 27, 2025, Kia America issued me a written response (attached). In this letter, Kia explicitly acknowledged: “Preliminary evaluation results show… the fire originated within the engine compartment area.” “The cause was unknown engine oil leaks allowing motor oil to contact hot exhaust surfaces of the engine that led to ignition.” Despite admitting the fire’s cause, Kia refused restitution, stating that the vehicle was “9 years and 163,000 miles outside of warranty.” I request that this letter be added to ODI Complaint #11679186 and considered in your analysis of Kia vehicle fire trends. I believe this documentation is significant in establishing that Kia recognizes the fire hazard but denies responsibility due to warranty expiration, which does not address the broader safety risk. Thank you for your review and for your ongoing work to protect vehicle safety. Respectfully, Daniel McAdams INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On [XXX], my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while I was driving. The vehicle rapidly filled with smoke, causing throat and eye irritation from smoke inhalation. My insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Kia America (Case #[XXX]) acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a fire inspection would be conducted. The inspection was completed, but Kia has refused to release the findings or determine the cause. On [insert date], Kia denied my claim without explanation, despite the vehicle being a complete loss due to fire. This is a critical safety issue that could have caused severe injury or death. I am requesting NHTSA investigate the cause of the fire and Kia’s handling of post-incident safety reporting. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the State Inspection, the vehicle failed the Emissions test. The State Inspector diagnosed a failure with the Evaporative Emissions Control System (EVAP). The contact was informed that the system was leaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 243,000.

ENGINE

I'm [XXX] from Brooks Alberta Canada. I purchased this car from a private seller here in Brooks last [XXX] named “Hein Teresa Lorraine” lives in [XXX], Brooks AB T1R 0R7" and she did not include all the details in her car that it has a recall issue with the engine which is the Knock Sensor Problem. After a couple of days of using it I experience engine malfunction, the oil pressure light is keeps on flickering and as I drove from Brooks going to Calgary the engine suddenly stalled and activates the “Lymp Mode”. I cannot able to move forward and almost hit by a huge truck because of that incident. I coordinated with Straightline Kia Medicine Hat that incident, they check the vehicle and test it, after several testings they proved that the vehicle has a engine recall backjob. The check engine code shows P01326 which is responsible for engine stalling while accelerating. Kia Manager "Kent" talk to me and promise me that he will do all the reports to replace the engine. He submitted the report to the engineering department of Kia for the engine replacement but they declined it due to lack of documentation proof for regular maintenance of the vehicle from the previous owner. I told them that i recently purchased the car and I cannot able to provide the previous oil change done with the vehicle. Unfortunately after 2 weeks of waiting for nothing, Kent refuse to do a follow up report on the said incident and telling me that I need to take my car and need to pay a certain amount for their job done to my vehicle. Even the car rental that they provided I am also shouldering the expense because Kent is insisting that my car is not covered by the warranty anymore. As I do my research it has a lifetime warranty for the Knock Sensor failure for the same Car model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KIA issue a recall for my vehicle. Visited the dealership as instructed and the replacement part was not available. After a month and a half, they still don't know when they will receive the part. Driving a car with a safety recall (fire possible) is not ideal.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V101000 (Engine) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer, a second dealer, Team Kia of El Cajon (619-444-7200), and a third dealer, Kearny Mesa Kia (858 223-3131) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH she rolled over a large puddle of water on the roadway. The contact stated that she hydroplaned and she lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that she drove off of the roadway and down an embankment and rolled over several times before coming to a stop at the bottom of the embankment. The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The contact stated she was diagnosed with a concussion, bruises to both arms, a sprained left ankle, and cuts to her hands and feet. The contact stated that she was conscious when she was removed from the vehicle and noted that only the side air bags had deployed. The driver's front air bag had not deployed. The contact stated that the police were on the scene but was not sure if a report had been written. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot and declared a total loss by her insurance provider. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.