Home · 2021 · Kia
2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
46 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2019–2023 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (41% of complaints, typically reported near 19k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#304 of 430Among the 2021 models with a matured record, the 2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid ranks #304, scoring higher than 13% of them. See the 2021 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (6) · Engine & cooling (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
41%19 complaints · typically near 19k mi · 16 in the last 2 years
“Loosing oil constantly. Always on the low end. I am having to keep oil in my car to put in it when needed which is often.”
Electrical system
13%6 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“The car alarm keeps going off randomly and from googling it. Several people have reported an issue with the 2021 Kia Sportage it’s a known issue.”
Engine & cooling
11%5 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the drain plug detached, and oil started leaking from the oil pan. T…”
Lights
4%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“BATTERY DIED, FOB DIDNT WORK 2 TIMES HAD TO HV TOWED, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT SEEMS AS IT HAS A SHORT, OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE, NOW ALL HEADLIGHTS AND BACKLIGHT INCLUDING …”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 46 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 10 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itTrailer Hitches · 22V703000
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.
Fix: 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.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 21V137000
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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 19k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Kia SPORTAGE PLUG-IN HYBRID beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every Sportage Plug-in Hybrid model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.