10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,791 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Kia Sportage Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Jun 102023

Sportage

  • 159,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel and the radio became inoperable. The contact also stated the ignition system stopped working as intended, and the vehicle had to be started manually with the key. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the local dealer was contacted several times and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Mount Union, PA, USA

problem #33

Nov 142023

Sportage

  • miles
My complaint is in regard to your safety recall, 23V652. I received a letter notice stating my 2011 Kia Sportage is unsafe to drive. it may start a fire in the Hydraulic Electronic control unit (HECU) whether the car is parked and not being used or while driving. I consider the time for this recall to be unacceptable and would like immediate attention to fix my car.

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #32

Jan 302024

Sportage

  • miles
I had the check engine light come on my Kia around September 2023. It stayed on and did not flash or anything. I had a hard time accelerating in car. I took it to get fixed on December 19,2023. They said it was the electronic wastegate actuator and I got it replaced. A month after that I was on the high way and all of my car lights came on the dashboard and a cloud of black smoke came out the exhaust pipe. I pulled over and got my car towed to dealership. They told me this time it was the engine. My car was held for 1 month to fix the engine. I have spent so much money in this car and I think this recall has alot to do with my issues with it.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #31

Mar 112024

Sportage

  • miles

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

The instrument cluster lights and gages stop working, service engine light stays on. The stereo and heating lights work until you turn on the headlights, then all lights go out. There has been thousands of posts looking for a solution to this problem and yet no definite fix for it.

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #30

Jan 202024

Sportage

  • miles
Kia still doesn't have a remedy for the recall. It is 2024. I am still at risk

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #29

Nov 302023

Sportage

  • miles
A combination of the risk of fire with the electrical component and lack of resolution to repair said recall and a faulty engine has left me in a bind. Due to the recall and its lack of resolution I am unable to get the engine repaired because the recall has left the repair shops unwilling to take the risk of fire while repairing the vehicle.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #28

Aug 072023

Sportage

  • miles

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

My A/C didn't work, then I noticed that none of the interior lights worked either when I took it to the repair shop. After many tests, they sent my car to a KIA dealership where they diagnosed the problem as the main wiring assembly needed to be replaced.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #27

Oct 012022

Sportage

  • miles
the check engine light blinked and i lost power as i was driving. they replaced my engine and now i have 6 lights on my dash.

- Belington, WV, USA

problem #26

Nov 142022

Sportage

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the cabin started filling up with white smoke and she could smell a burning plastic odor. The contact continued driving to her destination. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact attempted to place the vehicle into park(P) and the shift knob failed to move to park(P). The contact was able to shift to drive (D), neutral(N), and reverse(R). The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who took the console apart and was able to get the knob from being stuck. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer to be diagnosed for the burning odor. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Mariposa, CA, USA

problem #25

May 222021

Sportage

  • miles
Something is wrong with the output on the ECU/ECM. At first, my car would just randomly turn off and not start. This happened in the street at a red light, in parking lots and pulling into gas stations. Now the car does not turn on at all. I have a push to start so it clicks and tries to turn on. I took it to a mechanic and was first told it was the fuel pump, that was replaced but wasn't the issue. The vehicle was taken to a kia dealership who ran a test and showed the ecu/ecm was not giving enough output to tell the car to engage and start.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 022021

Sportage

  • 148,000 miles

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

On interstate the cruise comes on by itself and hitting the brakes, turning to cruise off does not shut it off. It keeps excelerating 10 miles at a time. Happened 4 times. Traveling 72 mph, turn onto exit car will not slow down, keeps excelerating.. car is dangerous dealer says never happened as the computer says cruise and brake never used.

- Brewer, ME, USA

problem #23

Oct 162020

Sportage

  • miles
My knob that turns the fan on or off quit working and it turns out that it was melted all the way inside and it was melted from the sparks that were occurring inside where they couldn't be seen

- White Oak, TX, USA

problem #22

Jun 122020

Sportage

  • miles
Purchased vehicle at a reputable dealership in March 2019. On June 12,2020, vehicle would not start while stationary in the driveway of my residence. Roadside assistance diagnosed dead battery. Took vehicle to the Kia dealership where I purchased the car to request new battery. They are stating that the car now needs a new battery and a fuel pump. I had no electrical or fuel related before June 12, 2020.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #21

Nov 012019

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The vehicle must be jumped in order to start if it has been off for more than 2 hours. This began in November 2019. The battery and alternator both test fine. It will start if it's been driven more recently. Also, the check engine light comes on periodically, as does the tire pressure light, even though no issues are detected.

- Cedar City, UT, USA

problem #20

May 302019

Sportage

  • 117,785 miles
Was driving in Cruze crontrol stepped on the gas and vehicle died. I pushed the start button nothing but a warning sign on dash screen that would go blank before I could see what it said. I lifted the hood and check the battery cables they were on tight got back in the truck push the button nothing smelled wires burning seen smoke top of my motors on fire. I was heading North on I-5 near the dupont exit.

- Tumwater, WA, USA

problem #19

Aug 172016

Sportage

  • miles
Everyone I know there bluetooth will not work. Most important the check engine has been on every time and it saids that is oxygen sensor it gets fix with in 7 months comes back again with the same issue.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #18

Apr 122016

Sportage

  • miles
As time wait on engine deteriorated the car would stop and not move, even while driving. Break lights go out every 3 months got a ticket because of it. Then radio burnt out, after those issue. I got the car brand new, all ways got oil changes as well as the tune ups. Took issue to Kia and they kept saying everything was fine. After they worked on issues the bill was over 1000. After all the work done there is still problems with the car. See on credit karma my car has 5 recalls. I need a letter stating the recalls on my vehicle, because Kia has not helped with the problems on the car and I can't afford getting more work done on the car. After showing them this app they still won't work on it with out a letter. Really need help thanks you.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #17

May 012019

Sportage

  • 105,500 miles
The rear lights are turned on for night driving they all blink randomly as well as rear license plate light

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #16

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 #15

Jul 112018

Sportage

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of traffic. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. During each failure, the contact smelled a burning odor through the ventilation system. The contact received assistance from bystanders and pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to scott Kia of springfield (321 baltimore pike, springfield, Pennsylvania 19064, (610) 544-0100) where it was initially diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. Upon a second assessment, the dealer stated that the wires were loose in the vehicle, and that it was probable that animals/rodents had eaten away at the wiring of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the wires were burnt. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 12749312. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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