FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2015 Kia Sportage AWD
The 2015 Kia Sportage AWD has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 145 owner complaints, and gets about 22 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2015 Kia Sportage AWD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 8, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
2 openFuel System, Gasoline
19/12/2018
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.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
02/02/2022
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 8, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
145 filed- 57
ENGINE
Engine fire which led to explosion and total loss.
- 29
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V051000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had e
- 17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oil has been leaking for years. Always got regular oil changes and engine died while driving.
- 15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 previo
- 6
POWER TRAIN
Unjustified Denial of Engine Warranty Coverage - 2015 Kia Sportage "I am filing this complaint because Kia is denying warranty coverage for a known engine defect (rod bearing failure in the Theta II GDI engine) on my 2015 Kia Sportage. The
- 5
AIR BAGS
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. Confi
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 8, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★★
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 8, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 22 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 19 / 26
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,850
- CO₂ / mi
- 402 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 8, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD, including the fuel system, gasoline. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), about $2,850 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD? +
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Sportage AWD, including 7 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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