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Kia Sportage fuel pump problems

63 of the 4,730 owner complaints about the Kia Sportage describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.

owner complaints
63
worst model year
2000
typical mileage
84,459
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    3
  • 2021
    1
  • 2018
    3
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    2
  • 2012
    2
  • 2011
    3
  • 2005
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    5
  • 2001
    5
  • 2000
    22
  • 1999
    10
  • 1998
    2

What owners say

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Fuel system · NH

While driving southbound on Route 93 on 6/11/2026 during the morning commute, my 2021 Kia Sportage suddenly sputtered and lost the ability to accelerate. I was traveling about 65 mph in heavy traffic when the vehicle abruptly lost power without any warning lights or prior symptoms. As my speed dropped, I had to cross multiple lanes to reach the breakdown lane, creating a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where I was informed that the high‑pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The car has only 22,000 miles on it and is just one month out of warranty. This sudden loss of drive power at highway speed poses a significant safety risk.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

Oil was being diluted by fuel seeping in from the injectors and the high pressure fuel pump. Vehicle was brought in twice to fix the problem. During the 24-27 Feb 26 repair the high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed and replaced. On 16 Mar 26 I noticed the oil level had risen on the dip stick (after driving ~300 miles) about 5 mm and brought the car back to the Kia dealer for diagnosis and repair. The high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed again as bad and replaced as were all four fuel injectors after they were also determined to be leaking fuel.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

On December 24, 2025, while driving in traffic, my Kia Sportage experienced severe lurching, bucking, and jerking, causing the engine to shut down. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, including a message prompting me to "turn engine back on." The vehicle would not restart, necessitating a tow to Horne Kia. After several days of diagnostics, it was determined that a blown ignition fuse and a bad fuel pump relay were the issues, along with a battery replacement. However, just 19 days later, while attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle again bucked violently, and the engine shut down with all warning lights flashing. The police had to assist in moving my vehicle out of traffic, and it was towed to Courtesy Kia in Mesa, AZ. Once again, no error codes were found. After further diagnostics, it was discovered that the same ignition fuse had blown and that the catalytic converter had "shattered." The catalytic converter was replaced. Upon picking up the vehicle from the dealership, and driving less then 5 miles on freeway, the vehicle was bucking and hard shifting once again resulting in a third tow to dealership just 48 hours later after the previous service. The dealership ran several diagnostics under Kia's tech line, which revealed that the engine pistons are slipping and not functioning properly, resulting in loss of compression. Per Kia's tech line, a new engine long block was ordered and replaced.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 50,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which had a warranty extension for the engine to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to replace the engine and referred the contact to another mechanic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the timeframe for the engine coverage extension had been exceeded, and the HECU not been replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

While driving, the vehicle engine shut off while making a turn. Before the engine stalled, the engine began to sputter as I made the turn. I was stranded on the roadway as I could not restart the vehicle. For my safety, I stayed in the vehicle as there was no shoulder and many vehicles including dump trucks. Several attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful - the engine would try to turn over and then stop. I contacted roadside assistance and the car was towed to the dealership. Diagnosed as a Faulty Fuel Pump/Bad Connectors. Approximately 8950 miles. This is the second time the car stalled while driving.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Fuel system · PA

While in use, the vehicle engine shut off while making a turn. Several attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful - engine would try to turn over and then stop. Vehicle was pushed off the road and roadside assistance was contacted and car tower to the dealership. Diagnosed as a Faulty Fuel Pump. <900 miles

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Fuel system · ME

[XXX] Kia Dealer replaced the 2015 Kia Sportage engine under an extended warranty not a recall. (10 months ago) Kia failed to notify us there was a connection issue of the high pressure fuel line on replacement motors. [XXX] daughter drove from Boston to Maine when she arrived home gas vapors were coming out the front grill and between the hood and windshield. When I removed the plastic engine cover and had her start the car fuel sprayed out everywhere. 2-6-24: Kia dealer wont repair the leak because the engine was replaced under an extended warranty and not a recall. 2-7-24: Charles, a supervisor at Kia Customer Care said the same thing, sorry but nothing I can do. So let me understand what you are saying. If two 2015 Kia Sportage come in and both get the engines replaced , one under a recall the other under an extended warranty and then it is discovered that the pipe that connects to the high pressure fuel pump may have been damaged , misaligned or improperly fastened during replacement could result in a fuel leak and fire. Only the owner that had the engine replaced under the recall would be notified. The other owner will be driving around a potential Kia Fireball. He said that unfortunately is the case and our car is out of the warranty period. 18V‑907 / SC172 Recall Summary Kia Motors America is recalling certain 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V‑224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) 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. This recall affects only some Sportage vehicles. Specifically, it impacts any vehicles that had an engine replacement completed. This could have happened under a different recall or due to a warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · FL

My car shakes when I drive it. I feel like something is wrong with engine or fuel pumping system again.

Filed Apr 21, 2022 · Engine · WA

Kia is not honoring this the federal safety agency safety recall results (2) Recall information provided by the federal safety agency Fuel system, gasoline, engine Recall date 2018-12-19 Recall no. 18V907000 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. View details for Fuel system, gasoline, engine Engine and engine cooling Recall date 2017-03-31 Recall no. 17V224000 Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. View details

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Electrical · TX

Something is wrong with the output on the ECU/ECM. At first, my car would just randomly turn off and not start. This happened in the street at a red light, in parking lots and pulling into gas stations. Now the car does not turn on at all. I have a push to start so it clicks and tries to turn on. I took it to a mechanic and was first told it was the fuel pump, that was replaced but wasn't the issue. The vehicle was taken to a kia dealership who ran a test and showed the ecu/ecm was not giving enough output to tell the car to engage and start.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storageReported May 3, 2005 · 10,360 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles, fuel may leak from the o-ring into the internal vapor chamber located in the fuel tank at full tank conditions.
Risk
The engine may stall when coming to a stop. It will be hard to fill the gas tank and external fuel may leak from the evaporative air filter inlet. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Owners may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.

Recall number 05V212000 · Recall details

Questions about the Kia Sportage fuel pump

Which Kia Sportage years have fuel pump failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2000 (22 complaints), 1999 (10 complaints) and 2001 (5 complaints).

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