2021 KIA SPORTAGE Engine Problems

I have experienced chronic and excessive engine oil consumption in my 2021 Kia Sportage S with the 2.4 L Theta II engine. Since around 80,000 miles, I have had to add oil every 2 weeks between oil changes to prevent the engine from running low. My vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement, estimated at $10,000. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes (documented by Express Oil Change in Pinson, AL, with service records at 81,520 mi, 88,215 mi, 94,153 mi, 96,970 mi, 98,902 mi, 101,522 mi, and 105,273 mi), the vehicle continues to lose oil rapidly. Kia and my dealer have confirmed there are no recalls or warranty campaigns for my VIN, even though this issue is identical to the well-documented engine defect affecting earlier Kia models covered under the Theta II engine settlement. This defect creates a serious safety risk, as the engine can run dangerously low on oil between services, leading to engine failure or stalling while driving. I am currently out of work recovering from surgery and cannot afford the $10,000 repair. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate and expand the existing Kia engine defect recalls to include 2021 Sportage models using this engine.

My vehicle is burning oil. In a little over 1500 miles after I get a oil change from the King Kia Dealership Service, my oil stick shows that the level of oil in my engine is none at all. When I check my oil, the stick, is absolutely dry. This has happened in the last 3 oil changes with my vehicle. There is no oil indicator light that comes on in the dash, but the oil stick is dry. Additionally, there is no indication of oil leaking from my car in my drive way. I will be returning to the King Kia dealer service for the third time on 10/13/25 for remedy of this situation. I contacted Kia Customer care and reported this situation and received a case number: [XXX]. I currently have 75,943 miles on my vehicle. To prevent engine damage, I've added quarts of oil to my vehicle to compensate but I'm most concerned that this oil is prematurely burning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My car has been burning oil way too quickly! I got the 10,000 mile oil to see if it way maybe that and by 3,000 miles there was hardly any one in there! It is not leaking out! My oil is changed faithfully! And I heard there is a recall on some newer model Kia sportages! This is craziness! I take care of my vehicle stay up on all of the maintenance! I’ve read complaints on here and there are others having the same issue it isn’t just me!

I had catastrophic engine failure driving down the road to work. Check engine light started flashing the the oil light. The car then shut off. Got it towed and they found two pieces of the engine block in the cradle cover.

BATTERY DIED, FOB DIDNT WORK 2 TIMES HAD TO HV TOWED, RIGHT FRONT LIGHT SEEMS AS IT HAS A SHORT, OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE, NOW ALL HEADLIGHTS AND BACKLIGHT INCLUDING BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORK. VERY UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. EVERYTHING IN THE RECALL HAS HAPPENED EXCEPT FOR CATCHING ON FIRE. THE TOW HITCH, I DONT HAVE ONE SO IT WASNT COMPLETED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS. PER NHSTA WHICH I HAVE FILED COMPLAINT ADVISED THAT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY WARRANTY. I HAVE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE AND TAKING UBER DUE TO THESE ISSUES. I NEED HELP AND AGENT ADVISE NOTHING CAN BE DONE BC THE RECALL HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT IT WAS A FAIL AND NOW I HV TO TAKE THE HIT FOR IT.

Kia Sportage 2021- The service department at the dealership ran basic inspection of fault codes and found fault in system for knock sensor and camshaft b position sensor. These codes have relation to engine failure or possible timing chain failure. My safety was put at risk as I was driving down the highway and my car would not go over 40 miles per hour and cars were serving from hitting me from behind. Then my check engine light came on and started flashing. This information on my vehicle was looked at the dealership I purchased my vehicle, and they do not have the software/special tools to repair/replace timing components and vehicle was towed to Kia dealership. There was no warning lamps or symptoms that warned me before it happened. Once it wouldn’t go over 40 mph (wouldn’t accelerate) and my car light came on and blinking I pulled over.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil light and engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been consuming excessive engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft and rocker arm. The contact was informed that the crankshaft and the rocker's arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

On Thursday [XXX] I purchased a 2021 Kia Sportage LX from Liberty Auto Plaza Dealership located in Libertyville, IL. During this purchase, the salesman Isaac told me the car was updated with Anti-Theft Protection. Between Friday [XXX] evening and Saturday [XXX] my Kia Sportage that I just purchased was stolen. I called the police department and made a police report and I filed a claim with my insurance company, American Alliance Casualties. My vehicle was recovered on Wednesday [XXX] and the insurance company picked the vehicle up on Friday [XXX]. My insurance company, American Alliance Casualties has had my vehicle since. [XXX] will be five months this company has had my vehicle. On [XXX] American Alliance sent me an Offer Letter to, either have the vehicle to be repaired or, have a direct check sent to me. I choose to have the vehicle repaired because I wasn't looking for money I wanted my car repaired. The company I chose was Fender Mender Auto Collision Center. I spoke with their receptionist, Heather on, Thursday [XXX] and she said my insurance company, American Alliance Casualties delivered my vehicle to their facility and they were going to start working on it right away. I called Monday [XXX] to follow up and see how is the progress going to repair my vehicle and she told me that there was something going on with the engine. On Monday [XXX] Heather from Fender Mender Auto Collision called and said my claim was denied because there is wear and tear on the engine. The engine has 27,000 miles from the time it was stolen so that's impossible. However, I spoke with the insurance adjuster Annette Khatib and she said the inspector stated there was a blockage in the engine possibly due to a manufacturer defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Remote start my car walked out to a puddle of oil. All the oil ran out. Had 400 mile left before oil change was due.

The contact owned a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon pulling into a parking space on the third floor of a parking garage at her workplace, she smelled a strong burning odor. The contact also noticed smoke coming from underneath the driver's side of the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and quickly exited it. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. The contact began to extinguish the fire with the assistance of sheriffs who used fire extinguishers until the fire department arrived and took over. There were no injuries sustained. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained at the scene and was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 19,920.

Mileage: 19,920