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Buying a used 2021 Kia Sportage? Check these 2 recalls first
The same two critical fire recalls that affect the prior year apply here: the brake control unit and the tow hitch wiring, both carrying park-outside advice but no stop-driving order. Unverified NHTSA complaints are far fewer at 50, though 7 of them report fires and 3 report crashes, with 4 injuries. Engine dominates the complaint areas at 21, with engine and engine cooling plus electrical system also showing up. Recall completion is the main thing to confirm.
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.
- Confirm by VIN that the brake control unit and tow hitch wiring recalls are closed
- Ask whether a tow hitch or aftermarket trailer wiring was ever installed
- Ask about coolant loss, overheating, or engine work — engine and cooling lead the complaints
- 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 2021 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
50 complaints filed for this model year, including 3 mentioning a crash, 7 a fire and 4 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 | 27 | None found |
| Electrical System | 6 | None found |
| Power Train | 3 | None found |
| Fuel System | 2 | None found |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | None found |