Home · 2016 Kia Sportage Phev Phev · Complaints

What 130 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sportage Phev Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (130)Crash / fire / injury (13)Engine (58)Brakes (38)Electrical system (17)Fuel system (9)Transmission & drivetrain (8)Speed control (6)Airbags (5)Body & structure (4)Steering (4)Visibility & wipers (4)

4 of 130 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Dec 12, 2022EngineFuel systemFire

While driving in highway we noticed a fuel smell. After a little came from front area (hood area) and heard a blast underneath. At the same time the car abruptly stopped in the highway (HOV lane). We also noticed fireballs shooting downward from underneath the car. We had no options but to call fire brigade to stop the fire. Later we had to tow the car to home. I called a mechanic to evaluate the situation and he informed us the engine of the vehicle has been ceased as a result. We have to bear a significant cost for the repairs. We are still suffering emotional stress as a result of this unexpected incident.

NHTSA ODI 11497121

Oct 7, 2022SteeringSpeed controlEngine1 injury

I was driving with my cruise control set at 70 mph, on Highway 95 ( the speed limit ) While driving my vehicle suddenly dropped to 40 mph, all dashboard lights began to flash. I had problems with the steering as I attempted to pull over. I had a tractor trailer behind me on a major highway. When I came to a complete stop, my engine light kept flashing. I drove my car to the KIA dealership in GA, where they determined my engine failed ( software issues ) There were no prior warnings. My vehicle had been serviced just a few weeks prior. KIA is fully aware of these ongoing engine failures according to my local KIA dealer rep.

NHTSA ODI 11488291

Apr 15, 2022EngineFire

The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated her son was driving approximately 35 MPH when smoke came from under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over safely and removed himself from the vehicle. The vehicle became totally engulfed in flames and was destroyed. The state police arrived on the scene and attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but were not successful. The fire department arrived on the scene shortly afterward and extinguished the fire. The local police filed a report. There were no injuries sustained. The approximate failure mileage was 118,860.

NHTSA ODI 11460894

Jul 2, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2016 KIA SPORTAGE THAT WE HAD BOUGHT ON 05/23/2018 (JUST MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT THE DAY BEFORE) TO MYRTLE BEACH SC, WE HEARD A POP, I LOST FUNCTION TO THE GAS, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND FIRE FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WE GRABBED WHAT WE COULD OUT OF OUR CAR AND RAN AS FAR AWAY AS WE COULD. IT WASN'T EVEN 2 MINUTES LATER AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS IN FLAMES AND EVERYTHING WAS DESTROYED. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE FRAME OF THE CAR. WE JUST GOT MARRIED IN OCTOBER OF 2017, THIS WAS OUR FIRST MARRIED PURCHASE AND WAS SUPPOSE TO BE OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE WATCHED IT BURN TO THE GROUND IN FRONT OF US. WE ALSO LOST A LOT OF VALUABLES IN THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11105067

Working with the data? Download all 130 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Kia Sportage Phev Phev verdict →