2020 Kia Sportage Service and Repair Manual
Every specification in this manual is the one Kia published for the 2020 Sportage specifically — matched to your exact year, engine and trim — so the torque figure or clearance you look up is the factory number for your vehicle, not an approximation carried over from an adjacent model year.
Engines covered
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- EX
- EX Pack
- EX Premium
- EX Premium S
- EX S
- EX Tech
- LX
- LX S
- S
- SX
- SX Turbo
- SXL
Known issues on the 2020 Sportage. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year, and both involve fire risk. One covers trailer hitches, where a fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. The other covers the hydraulic service brakes and their antilock and traction control system: the electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, and an engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. Owners have filed 192 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 82 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
Whether you are tracing an electrical fault around the brake control unit, checking the trailer hitch, or working through a scheduled service interval, this manual keeps you on Kia’s own procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2020 Sportage.
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.
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black b
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 105) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Elec
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been m
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-202
Showing the 8 most recent of 93 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
As I was driving down the road,I started to see steam/smoke coming out of the enginge. I went to pull over and lost my brakes. I ended up tapping the car in front me. My car started to fill with smoke and then engulfed in flames. By looking at the pics, it appears the fire started on the driver's side. The car is a total loss.
When pulling out of a parking area the vehicle accelerated without me pressing the gas pedal. Attempts to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake were unsuccessful. The vehicle stopped when we struck a building.
Car rolled down the hill despite being on Park with Parking breaks engaged
A vehicle failed to the right of way to me and resulted in a front end collision. Upon collision the airbags deployed and immediately began smoking. I thought my car was about to catch fire and smelt as if was going to. The airbags heat alone resulted in the entire arm of my jacket to completely melt and I now have a permanent scar on my left wrist from where I was burned.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his rear driver's side door and wheel well. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's head hit the seat belt anchor ring upon impact. The contact later received medical attention for a tear in his shoulder and whiplash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then to a body shop where it was repaired. The tow truck driver informed the conta
Vehicle has excessive wandering, that is intermittent, during traffic, surrounding traffic on freeways and on slight wind and rain. The vehicle exhibits behavior that is very very unstable.. I’ve had the vehicle for about three years and it’s been doing this for about two years now intermittently I recently took it into the Kia dealership in Stocton to have it looked at nothing was determined other than the state of the problem.
WHILE DRIVING/TURNING LEFT OUT OF A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ALL CARS STARTING MOVING. GOING ABOUT 10-12 MPH, THE CAR IN FRONT SLAMS ON BREAKS, THE SAFETY FEATURE ALERTED ME AS WELL BUT WHEN ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEY WERE RESISTING. I COULD NOT BRAKE AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STOPPING. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND SUNNY THAT DAY. ABOUT 35 DEGREES.
This complaint is against Fox rent a car . We rented a car from Fox car rentals located near Denver airport . Unfortunately our car was hit by a deer we called the police and they prepared a report the deputy sheriff Also mentioned that Fox rent a car has rented us and expired registration and under repo/recall vehicle which may have serious consequences for us. Nevertheless we returned the car and filled a accident form with our insurance policy and police report details . The employee at the l
On Sunday I was getting on the expressway and my car accelerated on its own. I hit the brake and the car was ok. That was May 22, 2020, On Wednesday, May.25,2020 I was pulling into a parking spot at Kroger Store and my car accelerated on its own and I hit a pole. Over $4000.00 damaged to my car but I was not hurt. I took my car to the dealer and they checked it and said nothing was wrong. I am afraid to drive it. I don't want to hurt anyone or myself. There were no warning lights.
AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH GREAT SPEED AND LUNGED THE CAR FORWARD INTO A CEMENT WALL. I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND GOING VERY SLOW WHEN IT DARTED FORWARD. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT NUMBER AND THE ELECTRONIC SENSORS
I was involved in an accident in February 2022 in which I had auto body damage after hitting a vehicle cutting across an uncontrolled intersection through 3 lanes of traffic where I collided into it going 35mph. On March 22 I began having issues with my car idling high, jumping and running very poorly etc. the other party’s insurance approved the repairs. March 22 My car was towed to the local Kia Dealership where it remained until may 1 due to the parts being on back order. I am unsure of what
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the contact discovered smoke coming from the engine compartment and from out of the A/C unit; the contact pulled to the side of the road as she discovered that the engine compartment, the front driver side and passenger side of the vehicle, and underneath the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was occupied during the fire. T
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that driving at 25 MPH with her daughter, another driver on the opposite lane, alerted them that the engine was on fire. Upon checking the rearview mirror, the contact noticed black smoke. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and exited. The front hood had partially opened on its own, revealing flames coming from the engine. Coolant was leaking from under the passenger side of the vehicle. The con
Driving on hwy going to pass a car look and the mirror and was black smoke Minutes later I was trying to get out of the car took car to the shoulder car was on fire Totally lost no answers yet over what happened be careful second Kia Sportage lost
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he and his wife began to smell a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle without warning. Soon after smelling the fuel, a flame had ignited from the engine as a dark, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and both he and his wife exited the vehicle as the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The authorities were called to the scene and the fire department was able to exting
Showing the 15 most serious of 159 complaints filed with NHTSA.
