Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Kia Sportage 2016 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Kia Sportage 2016, its safety recalls and crash stars, what fuel costs you a month in cedis, whether it can still be imported, and what it sells for in Ghana.

Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0
EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0
EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0
Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos of the same model and year, not of the car you are buying. Ask the seller for photos of that car, with the VIN and the odometer in shot.

At a glance

US safety recalls 2
Owner complaints 134 8 crashes, 5 fires reported
Crash rating ★★★★★ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵2,070 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 10 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2016 car is about 10 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2030.

Every used vehicle needs a pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity from a GSA-approved body in the country it ships from.
Not allowed at all: flood- or fire-damaged cars, cars with chassis damage, and cars assembled from parts, according to published guides to the rules.
Import duty: 10% of the customs value for a petrol, 1,001 to 3,000 cc car (GRA's vehicle duty table). VAT, NHIL, GETFund and the ECOWAS, AU, EXIM and special import levies come on top, plus an age penalty on older cars.
The customs value is GRA's own figure (the car's price when new, minus up to 50% for age, plus freight and insurance), not what you paid. Only the ICUMS assessment gives the final amount, so never pay a "clearing agent" a figure you cannot see on the official assessment.
Buying a car already in Ghana? Ask the DVLA to confirm through ICUMS that duty was paid before you pay.

Age is worked out from the model year; the rule uses the date of manufacture, which can be a few months earlier. Source: GSA public notice of 14 August 2026, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Safety recalls

Faults the maker agreed to fix for free in the US. A car shipped to Ghana usually never got the repair, so these are worth asking about.

Fuel system, gasoline 18V907000 · 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Service brakes, hydraulic 22V051000 · 02/02/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.

Recalls for this model and year. Not every car of the model is affected: check the exact car with its VIN.

What owners say goes wrong

Problems real owners reported to the US government (NHTSA). A high count on a popular car is normal; look at which part comes up most.

Engine62
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Electrical system17
Fuel/propulsion system9
Power train8
Vehicle speed control7

134 complaints · 8 crashes · 5 fires · 8 injuries · 0 deaths reported

In owners' own words

"My 2016 Kia Sportage LX experienced a catastrophic engine seizure on September 9, 2026, at 91,249 miles. My son was returning home on I-95 South in Florida. After exiting at Sample Road and traveling west near Seabra Foods at approximately 40 mph, he first noticed unusual engine noises at an estimated 91,245 miles. He pulled over, immediately called me, and sent a video recording of the noise. I advised him to proce…"
Engine · filed 10/13/2026

"The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) and electrical system malfunctioned, causing a severe short circuit, total power collapse, and an engine compartment thermal event (heavy smoke). The vehicle has an open, incomplete federal safety recall (NHTSA 22V051 / Kia SC227) for this exact fire and short-circuit hazard. The vehicle is intact, unmodified, and available for inspection upon request at the dealership. M…"
Engine · filed 10/08/2026

"I have a 2016 Kia Sportage Ex with under 71k miles. I’ve reach out the Kia headquarters about my engine in July because my engine has a blow by. My vehicle has never been in an accident and I always keep my engine clean. I always change my oil on time and now I’m having engine failure with under 71k miles??!! I’ve only done local driving and now Kia told me there’s nothing they could do for me because my warranty ju…"
Engine · filed 10/02/2026

Crash test ratings

2016 Kia Sportage SUV AWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Front crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★☆ 16% risk in a single-vehicle crash

Front crash test · NHTSA
Side crash test · NHTSA
Side pole test · NHTSA

What it costs to run in Ghana

US EPA fuel figures for the Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵2,070 a month

Town driving11.2 L/100 km
Mixed driving10.2 L/100 km
Litres a month134
Petrol price (1 Nov 2026)GH₵15.39/L

Uses the NPA price floor; pump prices are at or a little above it. Accra traffic and air conditioning use more than the US test, so treat this as the least you will spend.

What a Kia Sportage 2016 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Kia Sportage 2016 to buy?

Check that exact car: the VIN shows whether the ad tells the truth, and which recalls apply to it.

Questions people ask

Does the Kia Sportage 2016 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 US safety recalls for the Kia Sportage 2016. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

What are the common problems with the Kia Sportage 2016?

Owners in the US most often report problems with: engine, service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system (NHTSA owner complaints).

How much fuel does a Kia Sportage 2016 use in Ghana?

About 11.2 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 134 litres a month, roughly GH₵2,070 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Kia Sportage 2016 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2016 car can be imported until about 2030. It needs a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Sources: US NHTSA and EPA public data, Ghana NPA fuel prices, Ghana Standards Authority import notice (14 August 2026). Figures are for US-market versions of this model.