2021 KIA SPORTAGE EX

The auction lists the vehicle as having a salvage certificate of title, with “FRONT END” recorded as the primary damage. Stage 1 reports that visible front-end deformation and broken or displaced components support the unverified front-end damage claim; the salvage-title status cannot be confirmed from the provided photos. The most significant damage is concentrated at the front. The hood has severe creasing and raised, uneven sections across the front-left and center areas, with irregular gaps at the front corners. The front bumper cover, lower fascia, and front-left corner are severely cracked, deformed, separated, and displaced, with large openings and exposed underlying components. The lower bumper has additional broken sections, and the chrome-colored bumper trim is moderately damaged and separated on the left side. Both the driver and front passenger airbags are visibly deployed. The instrument cluster shows an illuminated red airbag warning indicator and an amber check-engine warning indicator. These findings indicate that the restraint system and vehicle fault codes will require professional diagnosis, repair, and likely component replacement before the vehicle can be considered roadworthy. The provided findings do not establish the condition of the underlying structural, mechanical, cooling, electrical, or driver-assistance systems. There is also moderate damage to the rear liftgate. An inward dent and crease are visible below and to the right of the Kia emblem, with additional deformation around the lower license-plate mounting area. According to the VIN decode, this is a 2021 Kia Sportage EX SUV with four-wheel drive, a 2.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder GDI Theta-II engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission. It was manufactured by Kia Corporation in South Korea. Two NHTSA safety recalls are listed for this make, model, and year. Recall 21V137000 concerns a possible short circuit in the hydraulic electronic control unit, which may cause an engine-compartment fire; the remedy involves fuse replacement and, for vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake, a software update. Recall 22V703000 concerns a possible electrical short in the tow-hitch harness module caused by debris and moisture. This second recall applies to vehicles equipped with an original-equipment or Kia-dealer-installed tow-hitch harness. Recall completion should be verified by VIN with Kia before purchase or operation.