9.4

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,292 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.

2023 Kia Sportage drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2023 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 242023

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2023 Kia Sportage misfires, engine will stall and shut off. Afterwards, I am unable to start the car. It has happened three times. (11/23/24, 3/05/24 and 5/05/24). Each time the dealership blamed poor fuel quality (three different gas stations). Not covered under warranty. First incident almost $8,000 in repair cost. Second incident $1,300 in repair cost. Third incident the dealership took responsibility. I had been without my car for a total of 6 months or more. Each time the vehicle is repaired within 13/14 days it happened again. I just got my car back (third time) about a week ago. I am uncomfortable driving it, because I fear it will misfire and shut off again while I am driving and the dealership will say it-??s poor fuel quality. Vehicle has 28,900 miles on it. I-??ve had it for over 2 years. The contact stated it began to misfire, again! This is the 4th time in about 7 months and each time the dealership repairs it, it happens again.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #11

Jan 102024

Sportage

  • miles
Transmission slips or hesitates when going from a stop to first gear. When turning left across oncoming traffic it is dangerous. The dealership looked at it and said that they couldn't get it to slip after having it for two days. No codes were thrown and no lights on the dashboard. Only slips occasionally like once a week. Always from a dead stop before going into first gear.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #10

Jan 012024

Sportage

  • miles
On June 9, 2023, the owner purchased a brand-new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid from Quirk Kia Braintree. Over the next six months, the owner regularly drove the car between work and home, accumulating approximately 4,500 miles. However, in early January 1st 2024, the owner noticed that the check engine light had illuminated, although there were no other noticeable issues with the vehicle at that time. In response to the warning light, the owner ceased using the car and promptly scheduled an appointment with Quirk Kia for a diagnosis. When the owner attempted to drive the car to the dealership, it exhibited severe shaking when the engine was running, rendering it undrivable. Subsequently, the owner had the car towed to Quirk Kia, where it has remained since January 5, 2024. Upon examination, multiple error codes were detected, yet as of January 17, 2024, the dealership has been unable to determine the root cause of the engine's shaking. They have raised the possibility of poor-quality gasoline as a potential culprit, and they claim to have conducted tests on the fuel. Based on the email and phone communications between the owner and the dealership, the owner believe that the gasoline used was of good quality (the owner consistently refueled at Costco). Additionally, three pictures of the fuel test were shared (attached), indicating that the ethanol content in the gasoline was below 10%, which aligns with the car's manual specifications. Their proposed solution is to replace the gas tank, with the cost to be borne by the owner. The owner find this resolution to be entirely unacceptable.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #9

Sep 222023

Sportage

  • miles

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

My vehicle has the same problems as the vehicle covered under NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V531000. The memo states 2023 Kia Sportage but Kia says this particular vehicle is not affected. The description listed below is what is happening to my vehicle 2023 Kia Sportage LX Model An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire The oil was hot like it wasn't circulating and the transmission would not change gears the vehicle came to a stop with the dashboard stating the vehicle was shutting down. I guess this is a safety feature to protect the engine. You can reach me at [XXX] for futhure infomation. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Theodore, AL, USA

problem #8

Jul 172023

Sportage

  • miles
7/17/23 Vehicle starting lunging erratically down a busy highway while driving. Called dealership to make appointment. The car was taken in on 7/19/23. Dealership reports the transmission blew and metal shards in the fluids. Tech expressed concern it was able to drive and lunge down road given the situation. No warning lights or indicators went off. The car is currently at the dealership awaiting a new transmission. Vehicle was purchased November 2022, brand new.

- Florissant , MO, USA

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problem #7

May 262023

Sportage

  • miles
The vehicle has always had a bit of a breaking issue especially in cruise control. In may had an incident where it slammed on the brakes so bad that everything in the backseat flew up to the front. Again the driver did not break. I went in for it to be repaired which took several weeks and spent 5 hours at the dealership. Two days later the car completely shut down and I had to have it towed to the dealership and they will not give me any answers. I do not think I will ever feel safe in the car again. Loved the car but if the safety issues do not work and I could possibly be in an accident and other people, that is a major safety issue.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #6

Apr 072023

Sportage

  • miles

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

As I was driving my 2023 KIA Sportage SX Prestige at 70+mph on highwy, suddenly "Hybrid System Failure" appeared on the dash along with evey other lights you can think of. I lost power and steering and only by the grace of God was able to safely get to the side of the road and stop. Car was at KIA dealership for 4 weeks and I was told it only needed a software upgrade and nothing was wrong with the car!! This is very dangerous and could get someone in major car accident

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 212023

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles
Vin number is [XXX], 2023 Kia Sportage x-line got engine stop suddenly on the load. The date was 6/21/2023 9:30am. After driving 1 miles. The pictures was in the parking lot when I turn the engine, also I got recall service yesterday 6/20/2023 9am-12pm INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #4

May 212023

Sportage

  • miles
Please answer these questions using my words What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" I was unable to accelerate the gas pedal after the car started bouncing up and down and smelling mid driving. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was on a major road at the time this occurred. Thankfully the time of day was in my side. If this was a few hours later there would have been a collision as I was in a main lane and had to veer to a turning lane. I am frightened every time I-??m in the car now. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer ship has confirmed. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Just the dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No, the warning came on after it happened.

- North Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 182023

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 15,500 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system engaged erroneously with an audible warning chime. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a review was conducted; however, the manufacturer had not provided any assistance. Recently, the contact stated that vehicle had started to wobble while driving 75 MPH, without warning. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,500. The contact stated that the dealership mechanic was able to replicate the issue and confirm the problem. The contact stated the vehicle slammed on brakes a total of 3 times and currently at the dealer.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 022023

Sportage

  • miles
This is a heads up, not an incident report. On this vehicle there is a push button starter on the center console. Page 6-11 of the owner-??s manual has a warning that reads, -??Never press the ENGINE START/STOP button while the vehicle is in motion. This would result in loss of directional control and braking function, which could cause an accident.-?? I feel this is a hazard with an easy fix: disable the start button if the vehicle is in motion. A toddler could reach over and press the button for fun. A person could drop an object on it accidentally. I-??m sure there are other scenarios where that button gets pushed inadvertently. Thank you.

- Deming, NM, USA

problem #1

Mar 052023

Sportage

  • miles
The car is currently in the shop at Jim Shorkey Gainesville Kia and is available for inspection. They have contacted me to tell me the transmission/engine failed. I was driving on interstate when I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and was forced to get off of the highway. After coming to a complete stop I pressed on the gas pedal but the car would still not accelerate. I tried putting into park and back into drive and that did not work. I tried putting it into manual mode and it did go forward but every gear change was loud, jerky, and rough. I was able to make to my next complete stop in a left turning lane to cross a two lane busy highway that is coming downhill towards me at an intersection that does not have a traffic signal. However the car was stuck in gear 5. I was the first car in line. At this point I put other cars in danger as they swerved back into the high way to get around me into the intersection to make that left turn across busy highway. I turned the car completely off and after a minute turned it back on. I put in drive, waited until I couldn't see any cars coming down the hill and I pressed the gas pedal to test. It jerked forward and I managed to get across the highway as it shifted into the second gear it jerked violently and made a loud popping noise and there after every single gear change was loud and jerky. Thank God I did not lose the ability to accelerate in that left turn because those cars are coming at 70+ miles per hour Down that hill or my family would have been t-boned on their passenger side. I am also lucky that I was able to get off the nearest exit when they problem originally happened as I was going downhill on the interstate and the next exit was very close so my momentum got me there. I lost the ability to control the vehicle as I ordinarily would putting myself, my family, and other motorists in danger had we not been able to get off on the exit or make it through that left turn.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

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