10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,653 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.

2013 Kia Sportage engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Kia Sportage Owner Comments (Page 14 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Apr 212018

Sportage

  • 78,000 miles

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

My husband and I were driving from atlanta to huntsville, Alabama thus weekend(4/21/18). About 2 hours into our trip the car stalled out. We pulled over and it cranked right back up. Then as we were about 20 minutes from our final destination, the engine started knocking and then seized. We were driving on a four lane highway going about 50mph and this could have easily caused a serious accident. We had it towed to a shop that told us that a rod was thrown and then had it towed to the closest Kia dealership where we were told we needed a new engine.. because I am a second owner the warranty will not cover this. In doing research I have found hundreds of other people who have had the same thing happen to them. I have read people using the exact same word 'sludge' in the engine over and over. I believe Kia is hiding a problem and it is unacceptable. A 2013 Sportage with less than 80,000 miles on it shouldn't have this kind of engine problem. It has basically totaled the car because the engine is $6000 to replace. We have not done anything to fix it yet as we are looking into our options.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #30

Apr 182018

Sportage

  • 141,000 miles
I heard a light ticking noise yesterday afternoon when driving through apartment community that I live and work at. I went to get in last night to go to store and when I turned my car on it was making a loud knocking noise. I turned it off and started making phone calls to mechanics this morning when I was told of a possible recall.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #29

Apr 012018

Sportage

  • 86,889 miles
We believe its part of known recall "SC147", in which Kia is aware of theta engine failure rod knock. Vehicle was in motion, stopped to fill tank and knocking began, dropped it off at nearest Kia dealer. Next day went in for warranty service and Kia motors America, not thr dealer, denied warranty because vehicle was purchased in puerto rico and they claim they cannot see VIN # which has nothing to do with warranty. We are the original owners, pr is recognized as United States both through the constitution and jurisprudence under the supreme court of the United States. Kia motors America can confirm via pepe abad Kia or motor ambar of pr that we are the original owners and vehicle is under warranty terms.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #28

Mar 052018

Sportage

  • 17,000 miles

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

Takata recall" fuel can not get 25mpg combined or 21 city never 30 listed on highway 15 to 17 city 19 on the highway the most. I returned a Kia sorrento after few months in 2013 a new sorrento for the poor gas not living to the fuel epa I was inform that I have to drive 5000, to 10000 to get better mpg I had the sorrento for 15000 miles and now the Sportage have 18000 and the mpg it is so bad. The air condition also very low flow

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #27

Mar 172018

Sportage

  • 48,000 miles
Me and 4 of my friends (all of us are under 19) are returning from a wedding in the dallas area on a stormy evening. We are not from the dallas area so the drive was stressful enough. Im going about 65 mph then my car's acceleration stops working and the check engine and check oil lights come on while we are on an overpass so I am forced to pull over in a little spot in between an exit ramp and the freeway, and luckily we made it there or else we probably would have caused a fatal wreck. We were then forced to sit there for over an hour and a half in the dark without any emergency lights since our battery died also about 10 minutes in, and all of us know someone could easily not see us and hit us. The dealership then told us that the engine was blown, which is odd because our car has under 50,000 miles. Then we find out the 2.0 liter engines have been recalled, and I see no reason why the 2.4 liter engines shouldn't also be recalled because we had the exact same failure and it very well could have ended a lot worse than it did.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #26

Dec 282017

Sportage

  • 56,000 miles
2013 Kia Sportage bought used off the showroom floor with only 5024 miles at 1 year old in October of 2014. When bought used, there is a 5yr/60,000 mile warranty(as opposed to the 10/100 when bought new).this 5/60 warranty begins at the time of purchase of the original owner which happened to be 11/6/2012. On 12/28/17 while traveling out of state, I was about 200 miles into a 220 mile trip when the engine seized with only 56,000 miles. While traveling a main route at roughly 50 mph in moderate traffic, the vehicle lost all motor power, slowed & came to a crawl (in traffic). I was fortunate enough to not be rearended as I safely pulled over & coasted into a parking lot. There were knocking sounds coming from my motor and the vehicle would barely move while given ample gas. I called Kia roadside assistance who informed me that they would not be sending a free tow truck as my warranty expired 52 days prior, but for $80+ they'd send a tow truck right away. (ps: I have never used Kia roadside assistance prior to this call - thanks Kia) I turned that offer down stating I had aaa. Aaa towed the Kia to the nearest dealership only 4 miles away, Kia of sussex in NJ. The following day, the hesitant svc mgr "confirmed" that the motor was seized-he did not pop the hood, only turned the key. They were reluctant to repair because we weren't from NJ. So we paid out of pocket to have it towed home to cny. We've submitted a claim to Kia motors America twice & they've denied our claim twice despite providing all of the oil change receipts that were done more than the manual suggested. Also, despite the fact that in March of 2017 a recall notice was submitted regarding this exact issue but when we called the dealer, they only stated it didn't apply to our VIN. Because it is 52 days out of warranty (with only 56K mi) they refuse to cover it. This is a lemon- we feel they're responsible

- Memphis, NY, USA

problem #25

Mar 122018

Sportage

  • 117,000 miles

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

My car was smelling out for about 2 weeks. I took it to a couple different shops and no one could find an issue with the motor. Today my engine seized and my car was towed to a garage. While the car was there the mechanics looks at the engine and could find an issue and then they drained the oil and found metal pieces mixed in. I then looked this up to see if there was a recall and Kia did recall 2011-2013 Kia Sportages for faulty engine building which causes metal pieces to clog your oil flow and seize your engine. Since my car is a 2013 Kia Sportage I called Kia to see if they would fix it since the recall but they said my VIN doesn't match the recall and won't assist me.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

problem #24

Feb 192018

Sportage

  • 142,000 miles
I was driving on interstate 75 in punta gorda Florida, I exited the freeway and as I was turning left off the interstate the engine started to make a very loud bagig from the engine. I checked the oil and all was good. I took the car back to the dealer where I originally purchased the car. They of course could not do anything, so they said. I looked on this website and I noticed there are some 2013 Kia Sportage recalls for this very problem. I'm just wondering if my VIN will ever be part of a recall.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #23

Nov 222017

Sportage

  • 124,224 miles
Engine threw a rod at 124000 miles. Issue is same as recalled 2013 2.0 engines.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #22

Feb 172018

Sportage

  • 89,000 miles
While driving on the highway the front end began to make a loud rattling noise. The vehicle was stopped and towed to a mechanic who informed me that the engine would need to be replaced. This issue is the same one as described in the recall SC147, however, my VIN has not been included in the recall. This recall should be expanded. The vehicle was maintained regularly and all maintenance suggested was always promptly performed. This $7,000 should be the responsibility of Kia.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #21

Dec 282016

Sportage

  • 58,000 miles

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

While driving on the highway the engine started knocking and then lost all power. We just barely made it out of traffic. We had received a engine recall but when we contacted the dealer were told our VIN. Number wasn't effected. The car was purchased with 5000 miles from a dealership in syracuse NY. There was 58000 miles at the time of the failure. It cannot be driven.

- Memphis, NY, USA

problem #20

Jan 092018

Sportage

  • 120,000 miles
Similar issue as SP147 for Kia. Sportage has similar engine and the same issue. My engine is blown and has some metal shavings. It stalled, would not start. Had it towed to garage where they said code was for the oil control valve. Replaced but still would not run. Removed engine cover and found metal shavings and engine bad. Engine is maintained, dealership did oil change a while ago and found nothing.

- Lowell, MI, USA

problem #19

Dec 242017

Sportage

  • 98,000 miles
On Sunday December 24, 2017 christmas eve we were driving on 95 South returning home with my daughters and I was on the express lane and all the sudden I heard a loud noise coming from the front and the car stop speeding and I was able to pull over to the side where the car just shut off, a roade Ranger came to assist us, he checked to see if it was the battery but I just bought the battery then gas/oil nothing. We ended up having the car towed to a mechanic in hallandale beach, where they told us is an engine issue. This is very similar to the recent recall of engine fail. Its now been 3 weeks and we dont have a car

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #18

Nov 192017

Sportage

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 55 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to young Kia (308 main St, layton, ut 84041) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case, but the claim was denied. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Farmington, UT, USA

problem #17

Oct 202017

Sportage

  • 100,000 miles
I have a 2013 Sportage. While driving on a parkway the check engine and check oil light came on and the engine seized. Thankfully I was able to pull over and avoid a possibly fatal car accident with my wife and I in the car. I had it towed to a garage and then the yonkers Kia dealership as the garage advised me of recall #SC147. I had opened case# 12520876 with Kia customer service on 10/20/20217. Since then I have gotten nothing but excuses and delays that they are waiting for another department to see if it can be covered under this warranty and having it escalated to another department. Its now over a week without my car and I still have not gotten a response on my repair from them.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #16

Oct 142017

Sportage

  • 100,000 miles
We were driving on a parkway at approximately 55-65 mph when without warning the check engine light, oil lamp, and battery light came on. Simultaneously my husband (the driver) reported that the car would no longer accelerate. The garage it was towed to reported that they could get the car to start but there was a noise coming from the bearings and the engine would stall shortly after. This description matches a recent recall, but on Sportages only the 2.0L turbo engine was included, and we have the 2.4L engine. This engine was recalled on other models, however.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #15

Sep 112017

Sportage

  • 60,100 miles
My 2013 Kia Sportage has engine failure at 60100 miles. Stalled on freeway twice trying to get it home after hearing a sound in engine. For some reason my Kia VIN number is not included in the Kia engine recall and it is going to cost me thousands to get repaired.

- Pataskala, OH, USA

problem #14

Oct 052017

Sportage

  • 102,764 miles
My check engine light came on while driving, then went off, then starting hearing noises in the engine. Took to the dealership and they said my oil was low. I told them I get regular oil changes so I was not sure why. They said as a result I have engine failure. Until this incident I have never with my car and problem escalated very quickly. I took my car cause I wanted to get a 2nd opinion but did not get very far bc the engine just stopped. My VIN is not on the recall list but all of the syptoms described are what I experienced. I want Kia to take responsibility and fix. I take care of my vehicle and litteraly had no problems until this major problem.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #13

Sep 082017

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles
Just before reaching tryon, nc, coming from charleston, SC, we began to hear a distinct knocking noise coming from under the hood, and were unable to accelerate any further than around 55 mph. Eventually the engine failed and we were able to just pull off to the side of the road just yards from where the shoulder ended, and we almost hit a stationary vehicle just in front of us on the shoulder. We were trying to evacuate from the hurricane with my 7 month old granddaughter.. after the engine had cooled, we checked and made sure that my oil was over half full, and it was. A rental place stayed open a few extra hours for us, and we managed to get to our destination three hours away from the incident, because we were in desperate need of somewhere that allowed dogs. On Monday, we found out from the mechanic the car had eventually been towed to that the engine was shot. The mechanic let us know that this was an extremely common issue with our make and model, and that we should have had a recall issued for safety measures. While in assembly there was a manufacturing error which would not be noticed unless the driver was going long distance on the highway. There were tiny metal shavings within the engine that blocked the oil from properly circulating through the rod bearings to critical parts of the engine. We contacted corporate, and they told us our car was not listed under the warranty because it was assembled in a different location than the ones recalled. They then told us I had a 60,000 mile warranty instead of a 100,000 mile, which was a flat out lie. We contacted our dealer and they confirmed we had a 100K. Now after collecting all of our service records, the dealership is trying to tell us they will not cover the 7,000 dollar cost because my oil was low, which is another flat out lie. I don't want to make any money off them, I just want my repairs covered.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

problem #12

Jun 262017

Sportage

  • 106,000 miles
2013 Kia Sportage engine failure in June of 2017. I was driving the vehicle eastbound at 75mph on interstate 10 bear blythe, AZ in significant traffic. The engine shut off and power steering failed. I able to avoid a collision but spun out into the interstate median. I had the vehicle towed to a Kia dealership in avondale, AZ. Kia dealership confirmed the engine had seized. Kia denied warranty coverage for engine claiming it is not part of the Kia engine safety recall campaign SC147. Kia claims the engine was manufactured in Korea so it is not included. However, there are at least 6 other "not covered" Sportage's parked in service lot awaiting repair. Service manager reported to me that Kia is denying the coverage when he "knows" the engine problem is caused by a defective manufacturing process.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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