This page covers 1 recall, 16 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2026 Kia Sportage.
26–42 mpg combined
5.6–9 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2026 Kia Sportage are spread across a small number of reports, with the electrical system and fuel/propulsion system drawing the most attention. On the electrical side, owners describe the infotainment screen going completely dark during navigation without any warning, and a door lock becoming unresponsive to the key fob. Brake behavior shows up across multiple reports as well: owners describe the pedal traveling to the floor with little or no stopping response, with at least one incident involving the hybrid variant's brakes temporarily failing to engage after hitting a road hazard at low speed. A separate report mentions the automatic emergency braking system not responding when the vehicle approached another car at low speed, though that appears to be an isolated complaint rather than a recurring theme.
16
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
By System
At a glance
What can fail
A software error can cause the instrument panel display to fail, preventing you from seeing important controls and tire pressure information.
What the fix does
Kia will update the instrument panel display software through an over-the-air update or at a dealer, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
