# Kia Sportage power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 19 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (8) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 19 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Kia Sportage (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (8). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Kia Sportage power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 146 | 1% | | 2016 | 1 | 134 | 1% | | 2017 | 8 | 404 | 2% | | 2018 | 1 | 165 | 1% | | 2020 | 2 | 166 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 195 | 1% | | 2024 | 3 | 75 | 4% | | 2025 | 1 | 55 | 2% | 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. ## Kia Sportage recalls related to the power steering warning light **[24V422000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V422000)** (2024 models, reported 2024-06-07): A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Sportage owners report - "...3, 2026 LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE: Sudden loss of steering control immediately preceding a collision COMPLAINT I am reporting a serious steering-related safety..." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 - "The steering assist will turn off when you go through a intersection and is not reliable enough to even turn on as it will give you a false sense of protection and intimately turn off." -- owner of a 2024 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 - "Navigating across active lanes without engine power or power steering was extremely difficult. The total blackout killed my hazard lights, preventing me from warning other high-speed drivers. The dead car blocked an active lane on the feeder road, and an inattentive driver nearly struck my stalled, unlit vehicle...." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Sportage power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (24V422000) covering 2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sportage years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2024 Sportage model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 8 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 power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### 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 - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sportage): 8 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Kia Sportage - [Kia Sportage specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sportage) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sportage Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.