car and Jen was replaced October 2025 for engine failure 10 months later the engine begin stalling and not accelerating on the highway or on any road so we brought it to our dealership to get it looked at a code came up, which said the engine was in failure . no oke will cover the engine and kia wont stand behind the work that they did
The worst 2020 Kia Sportage problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine90
- Electrical20
- Brakes13
- Body11
- Fuel system9
- Steering9
- Driver assistance8
- Acceleration5
- Visibility5
- Airbags3
- Lights3
- Transmission3
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Kia Sportage
Engine failure 37Oil consumption 32Check engine light 23Fire or smoke 16Knocking 15Stalling 14Loss of power 10Won't shift 6Sunroof shattered 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2020 Kia Sportage mention
P1326 4
Recalls 2
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- Risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Recall number 22V703000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Recall number 21V137000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2020 Kia Sportage
Defect investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V‑520, 20V‑543, 21V‑161, 21V‑160, 21V‑303, 22V‑056, 22V‑810, and 23V‑651. Kia recalls 16V‑815, 20V‑518, 20V‑519, 21V‑137, 21V‑331, 22V‑051, 22V‑800, and 23V‑652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
AQ23002
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency 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 under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ 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. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency 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 assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Kia Sportage 93
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emissions: ECM logic improvement (SC340 revision 5)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (SC340 flight 105)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emission secm logic improvement (SC340 rev 4)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (SC340 flight 103 / ql)
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Owner notification (CS2312)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emissions ECM logic improvement (SC340)
- Pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (SC340 flight 101 / ql)
2020 Kia Sportage fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 26 | 23 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
What 2020 Kia Sportage owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure, losing power on the roadway. The vehicle is currently located at the Kia dealership, and I have been provided a formal Repair Order showing an active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326. Kia Corporate and the dealership are currently denying coverage under the In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation Class Action Settlement, claiming that the "VIN shows clean with no open issues." This is a fundamental misinterpretation of Kia's internal database. The VIN shows "clean" because the mandatory Product Improvement Campaign PI1806 (Knock Sensor Detection System / KSDS) was successfully completed on my vehicle on November 13, 2019. I hold physical, printed proof of this completed campaign from a certified Kia dealership. Under the terms of the court-approved settlement and Kia's own Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs): 1. Completion of the KSDS update (PI1806) qualifies the vehicle for a Lifetime Short-Block Warranty Extension against connecting rod bearing failure. 2. An active or history P1326 fault code mandates that the dealership perform a digital Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) and submit a Prior Authorization (PA) package to corporate for an engine replacement. By refusing to look at the historical campaign completion data and denying my claim based on a "closed/clean" status, Kia is actively violating the court-mandated terms of the settlement.
Factory Defect: paint and clear coat delamination on 2020 Kia Sportage with less than 10,000 miles and has never been in an accident. Car is bright silver color. Paint/clear coat has started to bubble and peel on the rear spoiler and side mirrors. This is a know issue. • Poor Factory Bonding: The issue typically stems from a failure of the topcoat or clear coat to adhere properly to the underlying primer or e-coat layers. • Common Areas: Peeling frequently starts or spreads on plastic or fiberglass components like rear spoilers and side mirrors, as well as metal surfaces like roofs, hoods, and door handles.
On Saturday, XXX, while driving on XXX in [XXX], my 2020 Kia Sportage (2,4 L engine, 152,245 miles) suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power. The vehicle actively entered Limp Home Mode at high speed, dropping velocity rapidly and creating an immediate traffic hazard that my husband and I stranded 6.5 hours away from home. The vehicle was brought back to [XXX] on Sunday XXX, to Stokes Hodges Kia in [XXX], where a diagnostic scan pulled faulted code P0404. No low-oil pressure warning light or dashboard oil alerts were illuminated prior to or during the failure. The engine suffered a sudden internal mechanical failure directly relating to the vehicle's progressive, severe internal oil consumption defect, causing a severe highway safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
"While driving to work and actively attempting to pass another vehicle, the battery light suddenly illuminated out of nowhere. A short time later, while slowing down at a stoplight coming into town, the engine completely stalled out and died in the middle of a busy, active intersection. I lost all acceleration and power steering capabilities, and narrowly avoided an accident while coasting blindly across traffic to safety. The vehicle has had a chronic, active P0420 Catalytic Converter efficiency code caused by a known Kia manufacturing defect of massive, excessive oil consumption (requiring constant oil additions to maintain operation). The excessive oil burning directly fouled the exhaust and caused this sudden, life-threatening engine failure on a public roadway."
My vehicle's check oil light repeatedly lit up on several occassions before my next scheduled maintenance. Contacted my vehicle's manufacturer for assistance and unfortunately got a lukewarm response.
I was driving and my vehicle and saw smoke and it caught on fire and burnt..
Rod Bearing failure June 29,2026 with prior Kia manufacturer recalls June 19,2023: (1.) SC206, HECU fire Recall, a serious safety recall regarding the Hydraulic Electronic Control unit. The circuit board can short out and cause an engine bay fire even when the vehicle is parked. (2.) SC249B (Tow Hitch Harness Fire Recall): Another active safety recall. Moisture or debris on the Tow Hitch accessory circuit board can short-circuit and spark a fire. March 11, 2024 Recalls (1.) SC340(Engine Emissions ECM Ligic Improvement). This is a voluntary service campaign to upgrade the software logic in your engine control module (ECM(. It is iften tier directly to how your car judges engine diagnostic faults. (2.) CS 2312/Theft Det recall(Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Proctector): This is a customer satisfaction campaign that installs a physical metal protector sleeve around your Ignition cylinder to prevent "Kia Botz" style theft bypasses.
My daughter's 2020 Kia Sportage S was purchased September 22, 2025 from a Nissan Dealership with 96,574 miles on it. It dove great. She used it less than 20 miles per day on residential streets to get to and from work and to church on Sunday. It was not used for interstate or freeway driving. By June of 2026, we noticed that it was requiring more oil between oil changes. The oil level was checked at least once every other week to see if more oil needed to be added. We were adding about a quart of oil every two to three weeks although there was no evidence of excess smoke coming from the exhaust. Then on my daughter's way to work on August 13, 2026 she experienced a sudden shaking of the car and the engine light came on. She immediately pulled over and turned off the engine. We were out of town at the time so my son came to see what was wrong with the car. He checked the engine oil first and it was within the right level. The car was limped to the local Kia dealership to trouble shoot it and they said that there was evidence of rod/bearing failure in one cylinder that was causing the shaking. There is no fix for it other than to replace the engine at a dealer discounted price of $6,600. Kia corporate is offering a $1,000 credit toward the repair and the dealership is contributing $4,040 to the engine replacement. The car has 103,510 miles on it now. The Theta II 2.4 engine had an engine settlement that covered model years through 2019. Ours is a 2020 that was built in May 2019 and has the same engine that failed under the engine settlement. But ours is not covered. We are still in the process of working with the local Kia Dealership and Kia Corporate to make it right on an engine that clearly has known problems causing premature engine failures. I have owned or recommended to family members to buy Kia/Hyundai vehicles and between all of us we have had 13 Kia/Hyundai vehicles. This may be the last Kia/Hyundai vehicle that we own...
High oil consumption burning a quart of oil every 500-600 miles.
Compare the 2020 Kia Sportage
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2020 Kia Sportage
Is the 2020 Kia Sportage reliable?
Owners have filed 169 complaints about the 2020 Kia Sportage, 1.3 times a typical Sportage model year.
What is the 2020 Kia Sportage year score?
The 2020 Kia Sportage scores 65 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sportage: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kia Sportage?
Engine and cooling, with 90 complaints, typically around 63,120 miles. Next is electrical (20).
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Sportage have?
2 recalls, covering trailer hitches and service brakes, hydraulic.
What year does the Kia Sportage have bad engine?
The Kia Sportage model years with the most engine complaints are 2012 (330 complaints), 2013 (313 complaints) and 2017 (230 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Sportage get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Kia Sportage range from 21 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 30 highway.
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