Diagsheet

2020 Kia Sportage · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

  • 36owner reports
  • 65,000median miles
  • $7,500median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 13, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

82 of the 160 complaints on this car are about the engine. 36 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Sportage.

Tick what matches of 36 reports

12
8
12
11
15
7

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (36 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sportage

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022
Engine · model years 2011 to 2021

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

NHTSA summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as
EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021
Engine · model years 2011 to 2013

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

NHTSA summary
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY
RQ17-003opened May 18, 2017
Engine · model years 2011 to 2013

Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.

NHTSA summary
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA?s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.Under the Consent Order, Kia agreed to a total civil penalty of $70,000,000. The total civil penalty included a payment of $27,000,000 as a Non-Deferred Amount.Kia also agreed to a sum of $27,000,000 as an Abeyance Amount to be deferred and held in abeyance pending its satisfactory completion, as reasonably determined by NHTSA, of the requirements of the Consent Order.Kia also agreed to a $16,000,000 Performance Obligation Amount to be expended by Kia to fulfill specified Safety Data Analytics Infrastructure obligations. The Consent Order also includes other terms designed to enhance Kia?s safety practices, and requires Kia to retain a Third-Party Auditor who directly reports to NHTSA.Other than RQ17-003, the Consent Order is not intended to affect any other current or future investigation of NHTSA which may involve vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines. In particular, Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 (which is upgraded from Prelimi
EA07-001opened Jan 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2002

Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed apr 16, 2007, led to recall 07V-161.

NHTSA summary
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL.KIA'S DEFECT REPORT STATES, ...HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN...INITIATING CRACKS IN THE FAN.THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS...KIA ESTIMATES APPROXIMATELY 35,090 VEHICLES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, AS SOME OF THE 46,887 VEHICLES PRODUCED HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FAN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.KIA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042 AND UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA07-001 ON JANUARY 22, 2007.PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL 07V161 FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
PE06-042opened Sep 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2002

Fan blade cracking/separation. Closed jan 22, 2007.

NHTSA summary
THE INVESTIGATION OF ENGINE COOLING FANS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042.THE BASIS FOR OPENING WAS 10 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FAN BLADE CRACKING AND BLADE SEPARATION.SIX OF THE REPORTS INDICATED THE SEPARATED FAN BLADES CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.KIA HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER REPORTS AND INFORMATION IN ITS RESPONSE TO PE06-042.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-001) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

What owners paid

8 of the 36 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,520 to $14,000.

$1,520$7,500$14,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 75,400 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

119
222
123
424
1425
1426

What owners wrote

“Need an engine replaced for the infamous knocking of the motor from the previous class action but my model isn’t covered. Ridiculous to need a new engine on a less than 5 year old car”

Filed Aug 13, 2026

“I bought vehicle used from a Honda dealership at 51,000 miles. At 55,000 my engine broke, mechanics found metal fragments in my engine. The Honda dealer nor Kia were willing to do nothing. So I had purchase new engine at 12,000.”

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · 51,000 miles

“The car shook and lights came on at a stop light and began violently knocking. Since it was at a stop light the safety was a risk had the hazard lights weren't engaged immediately. The dealer confirmed it was a catastrophic engine failure. An inspector for the warranty company was deployed two times. The lights only appeared at the time of engine failure.”

Filed May 22, 2026

“My car is a 2020 Kia sportage with 65,000 miles. We bought it bran new. Since we bought the car we've had problems. We took it to the Kia dealership and they did an oil consumption test. They said the car needed a new engine. Kia cooperation refuses to replace the engine and want us to pay for it because they due to lack of documented oil changes.”

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · 65,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 36 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.

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