Check a VIN

2015 Kia Sportage electrical problems

18 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 42,000.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
42,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Sportage electrical problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Kia Sportage electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 13

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2015 Kia Sportage owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · IN

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 campaign and involved a loss of engine power while driving it appears there could be a casual impact.

Filed May 16, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TN

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.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 134,644 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 illuminated, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed because the mileage on the vehicle had been exceeded. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that an engine replacement recommended by the dealer was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 134,644. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jun 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TN

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 Oct 5, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Two weeks ago my car began making a loud knocking noise from the bottom end and emitting a burning smell from the engine out of nowhere, without any warning lamps. I took it to a mechanic I trust. As soon as he heard the noise and looked at it he told me it was bad and that I could not drive my car, it concerned a HECU unit and/or fuse and could potentially lock up or start on fire. He gave me a printout with the federal safety agency Recall# 22V051 on it and told me I would need a new engine. When I called Kia Customer Care they did not have the recall number. I gave it to them and they put me on hold for 45 minutes so they could do some research; the representative and her supervisor eventually found the recall and authorized a safety tow to Peak Kia in Denver, CO At Peak Kia they told me they looked at my car and it would need a new engine, but there was nothing they could do because my car was past warranty. That was the first time I had ever heard of anything about a warranty or it being past due. The service clerk told me it would be an out of pocket expense of 6 -12,000$ for a new engine and explained that this was because my car had gone past 100,000 miles, and the engine had already failed so the warranty could not be extended. She also told me to contact my dealership because they could be at fault. I left that building scared, because I still owe about 8000$ on my loan. I purchased the vehicle in Rapid City, SD with my parents at a non Kia dealership called Granite Nissan. When we called the dealership they said they had not been informed of a recall by the previous owner or Kia manufacturers. Neither had I at the time of purchase, or since. My dad and I checked Kelley Blue Book to make sure. I was then informed that the dealership does not have legal responsibility to alert buyers of this info. Now we are being repeatedly told that this will be my expense, and it is a scam. Kia made a car that promised reliability and safety, but have left the defects up to the owner.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

This car was electronically going crazy tenants calling police cause alarm wouldn't stop going off Smelled gasoline but no leaks o roll the windows down engine ram n lights get dim no check light ever came on car shutting off child locked in car behind this then it goes up in smoke while driving on the freeway what the hell should I say more we could have list our lives in that car I have 2 kids 1 and 2. I need justice asap I have kids with astma is it due to this faulty vehicle

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I have not had an "incident" because I have not driven this auto since I received the recall notice early April. KIA is crazy if they believe it is safe to drive while under constant threat of fire. I was hoping you could initiate another class action suit to force them to act, as it has been an unreasonable amt of time...5 and ½ months since recall date. Please help. I have contacted the federal safety agency, FTC, Attorney General, etc etc. NO ONE has responded other than to to issue a complaint report #.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Electrical · VT

The computer monitor says," bootloader started insert USB with file" Nothing on the screen works. It never shuts off. Even when the car is off and the keys are out of the ignition. It kills the battery. We have taken the fuse out and it shuts off but I can't use the hatchback. It stays in the locked position. I also can't use the power locks. I took it to a Kia dealer and they could not figure it out. They sent me on my way.

Filed Apr 1, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Well renctly it been a disturbing knocking sound in my engine it started to happen month after i got my oil change and the more u push the gas the sound start getting louder. Since then i haven't drove my vehicle i been trying calling kia but they haven't give me no information and thats the only vehicle that gets me to work. No it haven't been inspected i been constantly calling kia dealership i havent got a called back.

Filed Nov 21, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 47,513 miles · PA

Randomly shuts off while driving

Questions about the 2015 Kia Sportage electrical

Does the 2015 Kia Sportage have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the electrical of the 2015 Kia Sportage, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2015 Kia Sportage electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 42,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Kia Sportage electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Sportage have the most electrical problems?

The Kia Sportage model years with the most electrical complaints are 2017 (63 complaints), 1998 (46 complaints) and 2023 (46 complaints).

Other 2015 Kia Sportage problems

Engine 84Brakes 31Fuel system 7Transmission 6Acceleration 5Airbags 5Lights 3Steering 3Body 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2015 Kia Sportage?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history