2015 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 safety recalls and 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 22V-051 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
146
Crashes / fires
7 / 11
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2015 Kia Sportage vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2015 Kia Sportage recalls

Recall 22V-051: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Feb 2, 2022 · 126,747 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Risk: An engine compartment 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.

Recall 18V-907: Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 19, 2018 · 71,653 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

2015 Kia Sportage problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine84
Service Brakes, Hydraulic28
Unknown or Other25
Electrical System18
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Power Train6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Air Bags5
Steering3
Service Brakes3
Exterior Lighting3
Structure2

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 1
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 75,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2015 Kia Sportage complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Jul 7, 2026
I own a 2015 Kia Sportage VIN in detail. On 7-2-2026, an authorized Kia dealer completed the anti-theft ignition campaign. Within days of that repair, my daughter was driving at highway speed when the ignition moved from the ON/RUN position to ACC. The engine shut off, resulting in loss of power steering and brake assist. Fortunately, she was able to safely pull over. The servicing dealer has stated that the ignition's ability to rotate from RUN to ACC with minimal pressure is normal and that the vehicle is safe. However, because this incident occurred immediately following the anti-theft…
Engine · reported Apr 23, 2026
Unjustified Denial of Engine Warranty Coverage - 2015 Kia Sportage "I am filing this complaint because Kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the Theta II GDI engine) on my 2015 Kia Sportage. The manufacturer’s denial is based on the claim that I did not perform the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update in previous years. However, I have officially performed this update at an authorized Kia dealership (Hendrick Kia of Cary) on April 17, 2026. Despite my vehicle now fully complying with the recall requirements, Kia continues to deny…
Engine · reported Jun 3, 2025
I own a 2015 Kia Sportage with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 22V051 / SC227B). The vehicle became undriveable years ago due to engine issues. I contacted both the dealership and Kia several times, but no one has responded or completed the recall. I received no notification letter. The vehicle has sat inoperable for years, and I had to stop payments because the engine failed and posed a safety risk. I am requesting NHTSA intervention as Kia has failed to complete the safety recall in a timely manner.
Electrical System · reported May 16, 2025
The car just quit running as I was driving. It would not turn over using jumper cables. I had it towed to a local mechanic where they replaced the starter and the battery. Upon picking it up, it was making noises that it did not make previously.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 134,644 miles · reported Feb 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer stated that an appointment would be scheduled; however, the contact had not yet heard back from the dealer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the low battery warning light…

Other Kia Sportage years

Compare all Kia Sportage years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Kia Sportage: 22V-051 (service brakes, hydraulic), 18V-907 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2015 Kia Sportage?

Owners report engine problems most often (84 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (28). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 75,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.