10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,255 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Kia Sportage drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Kia Sportage Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Aug 072023

Sportage

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2011 Kia Sportage engine stalling/failure. Has been having oil pressure/heating/oil feed line/consumption issues. Taken to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions for all routine maintenance, including every 3000 oil changes. Owner was told that a catalytic converter was needed in 2021 due to engine stalling/ failure while driving 55-60mph on highway to a rapid deceleration and vehicle would go >20mph. Owner had car towed to Kia dealership and had a new catalytic converter put on in 2021 by dealership. Then in 2022 same engine stalling occurred again. Taken back to dealership and was told car needed waste gate actuator replaced. Owner agreed to cost/repairs. Then during repair was told that another catalytic converter was needed due to sludge/clogging, when one was put on less than 1.5 years prior. With less than 20k miles on new one. Car engine continues failing and will not accelerate above 20-25 mph. Check engine light has come on and been diagnosed numerous times from 2018, when oil issues started to 2023. Both dealership and manufacture are aware of recurrent issues.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #22

Apr 202021

Sportage

  • miles
I was driving 65mph on the Freeway and all of a sudden I have no power. I press acceleration to the floor and it done nothing. Code p200a Intake Manifold Code p420 Exhaust Manifold I couldn-??t go no faster than 25/30 mph on an incline. I live in West Virginia so there-??s inclines every few miles. I-??ve been looking on the internet and I-??m not the only one that is experiencing this. It needs to be fixed ASAP. And Dealership-??s charge an arm and a leg for things like this. The parts alone are expensive. I believe it is going to get worse before it gets any better. So my opinion and many others say it needs to be a Recall on the 2011 KIA SPORTAGE 2.4L I4 FI DOHC 16V. Thank you for your time.

- Chapmanville , WV, USA

problem #21

Aug 192019

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
Kia technical service bulletin transaxle oil temperature sensor dtc P0711, P0712 & P0713 https://static.oemdtc.com/tsb/2012-043.pdf my vehicle, when still cold experiences rough shifting. Vehicle will slam into gear, up through gears and down shift hard as well, until the car has warmed up. After that the shifting issue goes away. I have taken the vehicle into the shop multiple times, for the problem, and they had trouble duplicating the problem as the vehicle had warmed up transmission repair shop is currently replacing temp sensor as the vehicle is repeating the issue and also stored code related to the problem. This vehicle has had multiple recall related issues, including the engine seizing (which was replaced under recall) which damaged the turbo (also replaced as part of the engine recall). Also, the brake switch light has been replaced multiple times (only once for free) due to failure (related to a recall on that as well). Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #20

Aug 062019

Sportage

  • 100,080 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So I had pretty much a full day of driving and my manual transmission 6 speed 2011 Sportage, that until today the only problem I noticed was that sometimes to me it felt like when I up shifted or began to go into first that it wasn't going all the way into gear; and at times on the highway it wasnt accelerating normally and my gas mileage is about 50M less per tank than it has been the past 5 mo.(financed to buy as of March). According to the dealership only 1 previous owner and I'm not sure what work had been on it prior to the dealership we are buying through. So today car use in town running completely normal since 11am then suddenly around 6:30 started making all kinds of noise to me a knocking sound plus an almost like revving sound mixed in. We came straight to a gas station and checked the oil with yellow dipstick, as we are almost due for a change, added about a half a quart and started it again to run the oil thru and same sounds but louder. We then turned it back off called a mechanic friend and he came and said without taking anything apart he felt it could B a rod. I then called my mom to come pick up my 3 young kids with me to take them to her house out of the tx heat while we attempt driving home. Started it up again around 8:30 to head the half mile home and very faintly could hear still a knocking and accelerated slowly. Im mot a car genius or anything but not knowing the vehicles personal history prior to March of this year I am worried to drive on highway the 40-50 mile distance to get to the nearest Kia workshop. I absolutely loved my soccer mom car until today and now im afrraid to drive it after reading the recalls. Is my vehicle a part of any recall" my clutch it new and my fuel pump as well according to the dealership we are buying through so I know it isnt that. Just want to feel safe and have my commute back to normal again...what's going on?"

- Gainesville, TX, USA

problem #19

Feb 282019

Sportage

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While the contact was pulling into the driveway, the vehicle would not shift into park. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Kia of bedford (18180 rockside rd, bedford, oh 44146, (440) 735-400) where it was diagnosed that the battery was defective. The contact was informed that they repaired the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that it needed a new engine and transmission. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V101000 (engine); however, the dealer never informed the contact of the recall and stated that she would be financially responsible for all repairs on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

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problem #18

Mar 122019

Sportage

  • 168,128 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the transmission gear shift was stuck and would not move. The contact had to hit the gear shift button in order for it to operate. In addition, the radio malfunctioned and would not work and the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to hit the key with a screwdriver in order for it to loosen up. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 168,128.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Feb 142019

Sportage

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car has AWD and the rear wheel drive coupling fails without warning leaving only front wheel drive. I live in Wisconsin and this was discovered during a snow storm, the car got stuck trying to pull out onto the road front wheels spinning with no rear wheel assist. There was no traffic close but you have the expectation of all wheel drive and drive the car with that expectation so the potential for an accident due to the car not gaining traction when needed is there.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #16

Sep 032018

Sportage

  • miles
Viscous coupling fail at 40 000 miles replaced under warranty after a year fail again replaced under warranty after a year failed again now I need to replaced it again

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

problem #15

Sep 252017

Sportage

  • miles
I feel my vehicle is accelerating by it self sometimes it jerks when I am in freeways I feel vibrating engine when is stationary it's the second time when I stopped a red light and my vehicle turned it self without warning I don't know what is going

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 012016

Sportage

  • 69,000 miles
I purchased this car as first owner. I maintained my car at dealership service department where I purchased my car. Starting July 2016, my car engine would shut down randomly as I was slowing down at traffic light or freeway ramp light. This was not expected. I was really shocked and scared that someone would rear-end my car. I brought the car to dealership service three times. They can't fix it and claimed there was no check engine code for them to follow-up on. It got worse as I drove the car on the freeway about 60 mph for about 20 minutes. The engine would seized. It felt like the engine exploded. It was super scary and unsafe. I felt like the car could freeze and possibly roll-over. I brought it to the dealership service again. They said it was the map sensor and changed it. However within a week, the check engine light came on and it was pointing to the map sensor that they just changed out. I saw Kia Sportage is having a recall. However, the dealership service department said my car was not part of the recall. Yet the issues described on the recall were so similar to my car's issues. I am truly worried that my life and my family's lives would be in jeopardy if I continue to drive this car. Dealership service department only pushes me around to other dealership service without fixing the issues. I really don't want to die in a car accident that's not caused by my fault but the car's malfunctioning power-train/ engine/ other issues that the dealership won't fix even if the warranty is still open and valid. Please help! (if invoice documents are needed, I can contact my dealership service department. I only kept my payment receipt on visa card statement)

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #13

Jan 042016

Sportage

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake lights inoperable, ESC inoperable, cruise control inoperable, transmission stuck in park. Upon starting the vehicle I noticed 2 warning lights remain lighted. I looked in the manual of the vehicle and learned the warning lights for the ESC. I continued to attempt to operate the vehicle by shifting the transmission interlockl lever into the "reverse" position. However, I was unable to move the transmission interlock lever. Upon researching that issue I learned I could utilize a manual override to switch into gear. I did this and upon driving the car home I realized the cruise control no longer worked and that the brake lights were not working via other drivers.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #12

May 022016

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
I was park in the parking garage of my work place. The time was between 7:10am TO7:15am. I put the car in park. I stepped out of the car to get my purse and other bag on the ground. I left car on cause I was listening to a song. I was looking for an app on my phone to see what song was playing. I then walked around to other side to get a book that was in passenger seat. I walked back to driver side stood there a minute or two still searching for app on phone all sudden my car starting to roll back. I tried to stop the car by trying to get in car too fast door hit me knock me down my legs got caught under door flip me completely around. Then crash to wall of the garage. My back got injured. My car tail gate got damage. I do not know what could of cause the car to roll while parked. There is a little incline in the garage. Called Kia consumer protection. They stated no recall right now problem. The recall of some switch has been fixed but they wi. Investigate. Please see if any other owner of a Sportage has had a similar problem. Thank you

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #11

Nov 032014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Step on gas, RPM goes up but no acceleration, at times can not get over 35mph. On even terrain with cruise engaged speed will drop and then rev back up. This only happens occasionally. Have been back to the dealer X3 but with no engine codes fired they can't locate the problem. Safety concerns of not being able to maintain speeds on interstates and county roads. Several consumer forums state common concerns relating to possible turbo, transmission and/or gas line issues. Kia not responsive to consumer concerns.

- Ringlw, WI, USA

problem #10

Nov 162014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 25,182 miles
We own the car, 2011 Kia Sportage sx T-gdi, for less than 3 months and I had to take it to the dealership pretty much every other week with some issues. Last problem we had was an accelerator/speed control when the car wasn't shifting or accelerating over 25-30 mph even the RPM were up to 6-7X1000, and I was able to floor the pedal and keep it there, was no speed response. The only fix was pull over and shut off the engine, but even after that it could take several times to do the same procedure.I finally got an appointment to the dealership on Tuesday morning 11nov14, pick it up Thursday afternoon 13nov14, they said I had a bad battery that might cause the problem. So I end up paying for a new battery and replacing it, and at the same time the dealers replaced a brake lamp switch, and I was told everything works great. Next morning on Friday, same issue with the speed control, vehicle is driving unusual and on top of that the check engine light came on. Called the dealers immediately they said if the light is not flashing its safe to drive and there are no appointments available until Monday 17nov14. Sunday driving around the car had the same problems all day long and that evening coming home after filled up the tank, at about 25mph speed control was giving me a hard time and shifting at a very delayed times or not shifting at all, approaching an intersection tried to stop and the brake seized first couple times, accelerating instead of stopping, and when already entering the intersection being slippery I was able to do a slightly left sliding on the wet road after brakes finally engaged but was to late to avoid the collision with another car which had the right of way. Same problem, check engine light on, car not working properly, the dealer's service said its good to go! safe and drive-able.

- Fort Bragg, NC, USA

problem #9

Jun 232014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 58,818 miles
Shifting from 1st to 2nd clutch pedal lost tension and went to floor. Luckily we were at low mph and were able to pull over to call for assistance. Successfully was able to place in neutral. Car still running. This could have been disastrous if we were in another gear at higher RPM. Kia should address the clutch cable issue.

- Dravosburg, PA, USA

problem #8

Jun 042014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
Affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and causing the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. ***spoke to owner and they said there was no crash

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 032014

Sportage

  • 23,000 miles
My Sportage 2011 was stuck in 4th gear and did not shift back to first, so I drove straight to the dealership in 4th and now I dont have a substitute car since a whole week I know I gonna take for long. My car was 23K miles at the time.

- Fajardo, PR, USA

problem #6

Jul 202013

Sportage

  • 2,500 miles
When I placed the vehicle in reverse, it felt like the car lunged stopped and lunged again. The car did not move, because the brakes were still engaged. The review camera did not turn on. I backed out and pulled back into my spot, put the car in park, put it into reverse again, and the lunging occurred again. I checked the reverse lights, and they were not on. I proceeded to drive to my destination. While driving at 40 mph, I attempted to accelerate, the car revved to a high RPM, and then engaged the transmission causing the tires to chirp. I attempted several times to accelerate to proper speeds, and the high rev prior to engaging the transmission occurred every time. I noticed the gear indicator on the odometer display was missing. When I got to my destination, I turned off the vehicle. Then I turned it back on, and the vehicle was operating normally.camera, reverse lights, and gear indicator was working. I started driving and attempted a passing acceleration, with no issues. I did not take it to the dealer, because the vehicle is not having the problem at this time.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #5

Jun 282012

Sportage

  • 13,500 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia spotrage.the contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle took approximately 10 seconds to respond. The contact stated that the failure recurred later that day. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was awaiting repairs. The dealer advised that the PCM needed to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 13,500.

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #4

Sep 082011

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles
We have had our car in to be serviced five times and the problems are still not fixed. The first problem was that it was randomly hesitating and there were a few times we almost were in an accident because the car would not accelerate. On one occasion the car would not go past 40mph with the gas pedal floored, we took it in and were eventually told that the problem was fixed, after my husband provided a few service bulletins to the aloha Kia service dept. (on our second trip in) each time we have had our car "fixed" the problems have returned with more problems sometimes immediately after, sometimes in a day or two. We have yet to be told what is wrong. The following are problems we are experiencing: Randomly not accelerating, the vehicle locking up in park, loss of power, a rolling feeling while driving, whining noise, grating feeling in steering and gas pedal, shifting is really loud and takes longer than it should, brakes are not reliable sometimes there is little resistance in the pedal, we are getting 200 miles to the tank, you can feel a pattern of bumps while driving it is like smooth bump smooth bump bump smooth bump etc... ( I do not know how else to describe it and we have not been told what is wrong) on the last occasion my car was serviced I was told everything was fixed and all of the problems tied into the brake system, the computer had to "re-learn" what it should know. I drove for three miles before experiencing the problems again, and they are getting worse. I feel the service dept. Does not want to address the real problem, there is a terrible defect with a major component(s) of this car. I have taken video of my instrument panel while driving to reflect the irregular shifting.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

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