# Kia Sportage oil pressure warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 76 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (21) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 76 owner complaints about the oil pressure warning light on the Kia Sportage (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (21). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: No. ## Kia Sportage oil pressure warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the oil pressure light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 5 | 146 | 3% | | 2016 | 7 | 134 | 5% | | 2017 | 21 | 404 | 5% | | 2018 | 9 | 165 | 5% | | 2019 | 6 | 71 | 8% | | 2020 | 20 | 166 | 12% | | 2021 | 3 | 54 | 6% | | 2022 | 3 | 47 | 6% | | 2023 | 2 | 195 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Kia Sportage oil pressure warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Sportage has 14 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Sportage page](/vehicles/kia-sportage) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Kia Sportage owners report - "Engine oil has gotten very low to the point of the low oil light alert shows on dashboard. This incident has occurred 3 times since we've bought the vehicle new in October of 2022. The vehicle has 3,500 miles on it." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2023 - "The oil in the engine was almost empty (no oil light) and the engine failing (this was the first time I saw an engine light)." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 - "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." -- owner of a 2021 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the oil pressure warning light means The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. The most common cause is a low oil level, but a failing pressure sensor, a worn oil pump, or a clogged pickup can also do it. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe; running without oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low oil level** (most common) 2. **Failing oil pressure sensor or switch** (common) 3. **Wrong or very old oil** (less common) 4. **Clogged oil pickup or failing oil pump** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Sportage oil pressure light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Kia Sportage years have the most oil pressure light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2017, 2018 and 2020 Sportage model years have the most complaints mentioning the oil pressure warning light, with 21 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sportage with the oil pressure light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut off the engine. Only drive again if adding oil turns the light off immediately and the engine sounds normal; otherwise have it towed. ### How do I check if my Kia Sportage has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Sportage warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sportage): 5 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sportage): 8 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sportage): 202 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sportage): 22 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sportage): 19 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sportage): 8 complaints ## Oil pressure warning light on other models - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints - [Kia K5](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-compass): 100 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/chevrolet-silverado): 58 complaints ## Kia Sportage - [Kia Sportage specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sportage) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.