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Buying a used 2020 Kia Sportage? Check these 2 recalls first
This year carries two critical fire-risk recalls — the brake control unit and the tow hitch wiring — and both come with advice to park outside until repaired, though neither tells owners to stop driving. Unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA total 160, including 12 fire and 11 crash reports, with 8 injuries. Engine leads the complaint areas at 73, ahead of electrical system and service brakes. The recurring fire theme across recalls and complaints is what stands out here.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Get VIN-level proof both fire recalls (brake control unit and tow hitch wiring) were completed
- Ask if it was parked outside while open, and inspect the engine bay and hitch wiring for heat or melt damage
- Ask for engine repair history — engine was by far the largest complaint category
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Kia dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2020 Kia Sportage
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage and Cadenza brake control unit fire risk · park outside | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | critical |
| Kia Sorento and Sportage tow hitch wiring fire risk · park outside | Trailer Hitches | critical |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
160 complaints filed for this model year, including 11 mentioning a crash, 12 a fire and 8 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 82 | None found |
| Electrical System | 19 | None found |
| Brakes | 12 | Yes |
| Structure | 10 | None found |
| Steering | 8 | None found |
| Fuel System | 7 | None found |