About average for the Sportage
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sportage year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 91,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sportage years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sportage. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (84, 58% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the electrical system. That ranks 7th of 13 Sportage years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 2 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2015 Sportage
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2015 Sportage and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Kia Sportage before you buy.
Engine and cooling
84 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 91,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I own a 2015 Kia Sportage with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 22V051 / SC227B). The vehicle became undriveable years ago due to engine issues. I contacted both the dealership and Kia several times, but no one has responded or completed the recall. I received no notification letter. The vehicle has sat inoperable for years, and I…Owner complaint, filed 2025
We were driving down the highway and without any kind of warning the car lost all power I had to move to the shoulder of the road and wait over 5 hrs for a tow truck and then get a hotel room for the night before we could get a rental car the next morning once they opened. Then, a couple weeks later we had to have the vehicle towed back…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
32 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 83,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure was diagnosed as faulty brake rotors, and calipers. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 75,000 miles
Electrical system
18 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
7 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
[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…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I have a check engine light that was checked by my local auto zone with a code involving a slow leak. That is also something that is on recall for these kinds of vehicles since january 2019. It also has to do with the same recall I had done before as stated as part of the recent recall.Owner complaint, filed 2019
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate as designed. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. Additionally, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 60,181 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was stalling and was not accelerating despite depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light, along with two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact managed to pull over and stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
5 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving on the highway at 65mph, engine light started blinking then stayed solid and my speed declined to 40mph and would not go higher. Had to stay in slow lane to get off and get back on to make it home. I was unsure as to what was happening.It was the weekend so had to wait until Monday until i could find out and the dealership told…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Had vehicle worked on, on 4/11/2023 ( oil change &tuneup). On 4/17/2023 exiting 151 Hwy vehicle slowed down on me, then regained speed to safety at a Shell gas station. Vehicle started with a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. Got worried, had vehicle towed home. Have been trying to get a hold of kia but they don't answer…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 140,011 miles
Air bags
5 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
hit skip acident 12/25/2022 Germain Body Shop, Powell, Ohio for repair Computer module airbag system -part number 959103w800 not available as of 6/20/2023 The repair shop is aware of the liability. Can not release, State of Ohio laws. Confirmed from Germain Kia Columbus, the email part is been on backorder.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Car was in a collision with metal bridge barrier(standing solid object) head on, spun to hit both rear sides and spun some more and no air bags deployed. I hit my head on the driver side panel and resulted in a concussion. I was on the highway going about 65mph when I hit an ice block on the road, spun to the side and hit the metal…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 74,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
I’m going to mall and then go to the store in route 61 in Frackville PA the chips in road break my windshield is so much my phone number [XXX] my name is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 128,657 miles
My lowbeams do not work. The lamps have been replaced and still don't work. There is no info in the owners manual identifying the fuse or module that controls the lowbeams. I contacted kia's consumer assistance on march 22, 2019 (case# 13097019) with a 48 business hr rep return contact committment. I just received it today, april 27…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 87,700 miles
Steering
3 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving on the ma pike near boston at approximately 65 MPH in the middle lane. I had a need to turn into the breakdown lane. I turned on my right turn signal and started to enter the right lane and for some unexplained reason the vehicle started swerving back to the left (like it was self correcting)! I tried again to enter the…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 3,100 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Hood latch seccondary safety latch did not catch hood and hood flew up causing inability to see and luckily only damage the car itself. This is a dangerous problem with Kia and should be investigated for the safety catch becoming corroded and sticky. Its design is defective and it should be recalled and reworked so that it can not become…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I was traveling approx. 50 MPH and a woman pulled out in front of me and I (t boned ) her. My chest hit the steering wheel and then the air bag deployed immediately all functions stopped working.the car filled with white smoke from the air bag. My windows were up and I could not roll them down nor steer.I could not breath the car was…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 8,000 miles
Kia Sportage complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Kia Sportage | About average | 2 |
| 2015 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 4 |
| 2015 Honda CR-V | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | One of the better years | 4 |
2015 Kia Sportage recalls
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- Risk
- An engine compartment 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.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Fuel system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2015 Kia Sportage questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sportage?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Kia Sportage are the engine and cooling (84 complaints), the brakes and stability control (32 complaints) and the electrical system (18 complaints).
Is the 2015 Kia Sportage a good year to buy?
About average for the Sportage. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sportage year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 91,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sportage years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Kia Sportage. The most recent, from Feb 2022, covers the control unit / module. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Sportage problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 91,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 83,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?
The Sportage years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2015 Kia Sportage?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model