Kia · Sportage · 2015
2015 Kia Sportage
2
Recalls
144
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls and 144 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (54 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2015 Kia Sportage page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 54 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2015 Kia Sportage currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 144 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (54), service brakes, hydraulic (24), unknown or other (9).
- Vehicle
- 2015 Kia Sportage
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 144
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V051000February 02, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V907000December 19, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
144 totalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Apr 10, 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 cl...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
May 11, 2025
Oil has been leaking for years. Always got regular oil changes and engine died while driving.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
May 10, 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,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Nov 14, 2024
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 ...
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STRUCTURE
Oct 2, 2024
Hood latch seccondary safety latch did not catch hood and hood flew up causing inability to see and luckily only damage the car itself. This is a dangerous problem with Kia and should be investigated for the safety catch becoming corroded and sticky. Its design is defective and i...
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ENGINE
Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jun 16, 2024
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
ENGINE
Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a ...
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ENGINE
Apr 11, 2024
I took the vehicle in to Kia due to excessive oil consumption. I was told they could not do anything and that I should continue to drive the vehicle. Kia stated that since I am the second owner (purchased at 7,800 miles) that I am not eligible for the original warranty. They stat...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 15, 2024
Emission system failure causing check engine light to turn on.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 144 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2015 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sportage Years
2016 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.2r129c2014 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.3r121c2017 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.4r382c2013 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.3r380c2018 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.3r153c2012 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2015 for complaint and recall shifts.5r390c
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2015 Kia OptimaAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r986c2015 Kia SoulAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r886c2015 Kia SorentoAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r737c2015 Kia ForteAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r254c2015 Kia SedonaAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r133c2015 Kia RioAnother 2015 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r52c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Sportage have?
The 2015 Kia Sportage has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2015 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has received 144 owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Kia Sportage.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2015 Kia Sportage?
The 2015 Kia Sportage received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sportage?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2015 Kia Sportage are engine (54 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (24 reports), unknown or other (9 reports).
Does the 2015 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2015 Kia Sportage. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.