2015 Kia Sportage · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 32owner reports
- 60,181median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
97 of the 146 complaints on this car are about the engine. 32 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Stalling on other Sportage years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (5 reports) and the battery (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 2 recalls on the 2015 Kia Sportage, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sportage
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed apr 16, 2007, led to recall 07V-161.
Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed jan 22, 2007.
Fuel tank leakage. Closed nov 30, 2007.
Fuel tank leakage. Closed may 9, 2006.
Engine stalling post-recall. Closed sep 2, 2003, led to recall 99V-325.
Incorrect battery jump-start. Closed jul 31, 2000, led to recall 00V-205.
Check engine light stays on. Closed feb 2, 2000, led to recall 99V-325.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“I was driving my car and it stalled out and stopped and never cranked back up so I had it pulled in and my mechanic said it was a burnt starter and motor locked up”
Filed Jun 21, 2024
“Driving on the interstate in the passing lane going approximately 70 mph. With no warning the engine completely cut out. I was bearly able to pull over. I was traveling up hill. Car was towed to a service garage where it was decided that the engine locked up. the car was later inspected at a Kia deal ship with the same conclusion. Presently I'm without a car and no help.”
Filed Mar 8, 2023
“Engine stalled at a stop sign. Smoke started coming from the front of the vehicle and engine burst into flames. No warning lights, no sign of something going wrong. My safety and that of my husband was out at risk due to risk of burning to death, being badly burned, others being injured from being in the vicinity etc.”
Filed Apr 25, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 39 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports