2018 Kia Sportage engine problems
90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Kia Sportage — 55% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Shortly after driving away, before reaching a highway on-ramp, I noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. I turned around and returned to the location. By the time I arrived, the vehicle was emitting black smoke, and shortly after, it was fully engulfed in fire before I could retrieve a fire…”
filed Sep 10, 2026
“Purchased my Kia on the XXX then on the XXX, My engine light came on and my car went into Safety Mode . I at once took it to Auto Zone and their test came back with P1326 Knock signal range / performance. I then looked it up and found that a recall was put out quite a while back called an [XXX] #…”
filed Aug 16, 2026
“2018 Kia Sportage (78,051 miles). Vehicle is part of the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement due to severe internal engine defects. The engine suffers from catastrophic oil consumption, running almost completely dry three times in less than six months with no external leaks, meaning it is internally burning motor oil…”
filed Aug 13, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- High pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged…Campaign 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Related service bulletins
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions · issued Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 105) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
SC340_OWNR_NQ5_105 · Emissions · issued Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
SC340_OWNR_QL103 · Emissions · issued Dec 19, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
SC340_TSB_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 10, 2025
Engine problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 6 | 12% |
| 2024 Sportage | 9 | 13% |
| 2023 Sportage | 37 | 19% |
| 2022 Sportage | 21 | 46% |
| 2021 Sportage | 21 | 41% |
| 2020 Sportage | 73 | 46% |
| 2019 Sportage | 36 | 51% |
| 2017 Sportage | 219 | 55% |
| 2016 Sportage | 59 | 45% |
| 2015 Sportage | 84 | 58% |
| 2014 Sportage | 71 | 58% |
| 2013 Sportage | 301 | 79% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Kia Sportage
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.