NHTSA VEHICLE 15636
U.S. MARKET · MODEL YEAR REFERENCE
2021 Kia Sportage — Specs, MPG, Safety & Recalls
4 EPA configurations across Front-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive. Explore the differences below, with NHTSA safety candidates and model-year recall information kept in their source context.
Vehicle overview
Model year 2021- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Sportage
- Model year
- 2021
- EPA vehicle classes
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel types available
- Regular
- Available EPA configurations
- 4
This page describes a model year, not one individual vehicle. Equipment and availability vary by configuration; a single engine or rating does not apply to every Sportage.
Combined economy across configurations
Regular Gasoline21–26MPG4 configurations
Calculated minimum and maximum from this page’s EPA configurations, grouped by the same fuel and measurement unit. These ranges are not averages or ratings for every vehicle.
Configurations & fuel economy
EPA FuelEconomy.govEPA configurations can differ in engine, drivetrain, trim, or equipment. Use the EPA model name and specifications to identify the appropriate record.
| EPA model / ID | Engine / cylinders | Fuel / technology | Drive / transmission | EPA fuel economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage FWDEPA 42595 (opens in a new tab)Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 2 L4 cylinders | Regular | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6) | Regular Gasoline · MPG20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined Tailpipe CO₂: 392 g/mile |
| Sportage FWDEPA 42596 (opens in a new tab)Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 2.4 L4 cylinders | Regular | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6) | Regular Gasoline · MPG23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined Tailpipe CO₂: 349 g/mile |
| Sportage AWDEPA 42603 (opens in a new tab)Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 2 L4 cylinders | Regular | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6) | Regular Gasoline · MPG19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined Tailpipe CO₂: 421 g/mile |
| Sportage AWDEPA 42604 (opens in a new tab)Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 2.4 L4 cylinders | Regular | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S6) | Regular Gasoline · MPG21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined Tailpipe CO₂: 390 g/mile |
These are EPA estimates for the listed configurations, not a promise of real-world economy. Zero tailpipe CO₂ does not mean zero lifecycle emissions. Missing fields are not estimated.
Safety ratings
NHTSA · Last checked October 10, 2026NHTSA evaluates specific vehicle variants. The descriptions below identify each rating candidate; they are not automatically matched to the EPA configurations above.
NHTSA VEHICLE 15645
2021 Kia Sportage SUV AWD
Recall information
NHTSA · Last checked October 10, 2026Check recall eligibility with your VIN.
These campaigns relate to the model and year. They do not confirm that an individual vehicle is affected or that a repair has been completed. This is a stored snapshot, not a live recall check.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA (opens in a new tab)2 campaigns in the stored source results. Open a campaign for its summary and remedy.
21V137000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEMarch 4, 2021
Returned for: Sportage
- Campaign number
- 21V137000
- Report date
- March 4, 2021
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
22V703000TRAILER HITCHESSeptember 19, 2022
Returned for: Sportage
- Campaign number
- 22V703000
- Report date
- September 19, 2022
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Data sources & last checked dates
Static public-data snapshotThis page is built from stored public data. Each date below belongs to that source’s stored snapshot; safety ratings and recalls can change after collection. EPA supplies configuration and economy data. NHTSA vPIC confirms model identity, not every engine or trim.
EPA FuelEconomy.gov
Last checked:
NHTSA vPIC model identity
Last checked:
Data available
NHTSA Safety Ratings
Last checked:
Data available
View 3 additional source records
NHTSA Recalls
Last checked:
Data available