RoadVitals

2016 Kia Sportage Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Aug 16, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 130 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2025

La guagua se apagó corriendo motor trancado quiero saber si tiene recall de la bomba de aceite es una kia sportage 2016 motor gdi [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11681109
Incident
May 24, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 9, 2025

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I was leaving work and was exiting I97 to enter on 695 and and I accelerated to proceed on 695 and my vehicle lost power, the engine light along with the oil indictor came on, and making a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed and taken to the mechanic and the code read, "Knock sensor." The knock sensor was replaced at $301.85. I was able to drive the vehicle without any problems until Wednesday, June 3, 2025, when going to a doctor's appointment the vehicle's engine came on along with the oil indicator and the power was reduced and I had to pull over again with the same experience. The vehicle was again tested for codes and it then read Camshaft Sensor. This vehicle did not have any ill-performance, bells, dings, whistles or indicator lights until it was actually happening. According to the certified mechanic, this is a defect in the vehicle and although the part may be warranted, it will happen again and buyers will still have to pay for the part and labor, again, to have it fixed. I do not have my invoice on hand, however, I can get another copy.

NHTSA ID
11665787
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 12, 2022
Fire reported

While driving in highway we noticed a fuel smell. After a little came from front area (hood area) and heard a blast underneath. At the same time the car abruptly stopped in the highway (HOV lane). We also noticed fireballs shooting downward from underneath the car. We had no options but to call fire brigade to stop the fire. Later we had to tow the car to home. I called a mechanic to evaluate the situation and he informed us the engine of the vehicle has been ceased as a result. We have to bear a significant cost for the repairs. We are still suffering emotional stress as a result of this unexpected incident.

NHTSA ID
11497121
Incident
Dec 6, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 27, 2022

purchased the car 4 months ago & was given the car with a bad gas pressure relay . So the gas & oil was spilling on top of my motor cause inhalation gas fumes & car smoking . The car could have caught on fire at any given moment . The engine or motor was not checked properly before the car was ok’d for me to drive to & from work everyday . The entire motor was covered in gasoline .

NHTSA ID
11486813
Incident
Sep 26, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2021

ON MARCH 12 2021 I WAS ON I-4 EAST TOWARD DAYTONA BEACH ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE STAHL. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER JUMPED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T START,TOOK IT TO THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT DID ALL NECESSARY CHECKS EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY OR ANY OTHER THING.. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR START AS NORMAL, THEY DID A TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING WAS OK AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. I WENT AND TOOK THE CAR HOME AND AS OF THIS MOMENT IT SEEMS TO BE OK. MY BIG CONCERN NOW IS WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RISKING MINE AND MY FAMILY LIVES. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO???

NHTSA ID
11402588
Incident
Mar 10, 2021
Mileage
68,100 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2020

ONE NIGHT I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND MY CAR ALL THE SUDDEN JUST QUIT GOING SO I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME WHEN THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER THAT IT NEEDED A MOTOR MIND YOU THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT SO I SAID OKAY THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR BUT THEN THEY SAID THAT I NEVER DID AN OIL CHANGE WITH THEM WHICH WAS A LIE BUT I DIDN'T HAVE MY RECEIPTS SO THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE MY MOTOR PLUS THERE'S TWO OTHER RECALLS ON THIS BESIDES THE MOTOR THE FUEL LINE AND THE AIRBAGS

NHTSA ID
11342820
Incident
Nov 12, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2020

THE PROBLEM STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, EVERYTIME WE WOULD GO GET A OIL CHANGE THE SERVICE FACILITY WOULD TELL US THAT OUR OIL WAS LOW AND WE DIDN'T SEE HOW WHEN WE WOULD HA E IT CHANGED REGULARLY SO WE WAS LOOSING OIL AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE BACK IT WAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND AND IT WASN'T VISIBLE WHEN YOU WOULD LOOK UNDER THE HOOD SHE WE TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG, IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUE TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE TO GET TO THE PROBLEM SO I CALLED KIA CORPORATE OFFICE THEY TOLD BE THAT THEY WOULD WRITE OUT A INCIDENT REPORT AND TAKE IT TO KIA I INFORMED THEM THAT I DID THAT AND CORPORATE BASICALLY SAID TO FOLLOW THE SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS CAUSE MY VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A ACTIVE RECALL ON IT SO I REACHED OUT TO NHTSA TO REPORT THE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND TO ALSO LET SOMEONE ELSE NO I HAVE HAD ISSUES THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING AND NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO KIA AND THEN AGAIN SAID THAT IT WASN'T NOTHING THEY CAN DO IT WASN'T A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE SO LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR STALLED AND COMPLETELY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY STOPPING TRAFFIC I HAD HELP SAFELY GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT WOULDN'T CRANK SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME THEN CALLED KIA AND SPOKE TO A SERVICE AND THEY STATED THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT FOR MY VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT, TIMING AND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE OIL CANISTER, I DON'T SEE WHY THE VEHICLE HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED IF THEY KNOW THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THEM THIS IS A 2016 VEHICLE IT IS FAIRLY NEW AND IT HAS SO MAY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
11331986
Incident
Jun 19, 2020
Mileage
145,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2019

THE ENGINE OF THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME WHEN I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION. UNKNOWN CAUSE WHY THE ENGINE JUST DIED ON ME. I TRIED STARTING IT, AND IT WOULD START AND DIE AGAIN. IF I START THE CAR AND STEP ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE DOES NOT DIE BUT ONCE I RELEASE FROM THE GAS, THE ENGINE DIES AND I SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR.

NHTSA ID
11289135
Incident
Dec 10, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Oct 23, 2017

I HAVE A 2016 KIA SPORTAGE WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC IT HESITATES WHEN I PUSH THE GAS ITS LIKE WE HAVE NO GAS.IT DOESNT DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT THAT WILL SCARE THE KRAP OUT OF YOU ESPECIALY WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS COMING AT YOU.YOU ASK WHEN IT HAPPENED WELL IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IF NOT FIXED THIS COULD RESULT IN A LAW SUIT

NHTSA ID
11035826
Incident
Oct 23, 2017
Mileage
21,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .