NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Sportage

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Sportage.

Complaints

4,737

Active records

Recalls

38

Active records

TSBs

634

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

3

Injuries

268

Crashes

315

Fires

200

Top reported issues — Kia Sportage

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

1,488

Operating state

1,289

Engine behavior

944

Reporting mechanism

832

Noise

700

Fluid issue

602

Performance issue

590

Safety restraint issue

416

Thermal issue

402

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

287

Braking behavior

285

Driver assistance issue

268

Access/entry issue

243

Safety restraint behavior

243

Vibration/harshness

226

Smell

207

Electrical issue

183

Starting behavior

166

Lighting behavior

124

Steering behavior

112

Powering on/off behavior

103

Ride/handling behavior

101

Infotainment behavior

71

HVAC behavior

61

Recent change

54

Wiper/washer behavior

40

Electrified system issue

39

Communication/network issue

6

Charging behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2023 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 28, 2026


I had gotten my windshield replaced by safelite last year. On a cold day while driving to work, I went to adjust my rearview mirror and the rearview mirror came off from the windshield. It completely detached. I was adjusting it as I would any other time I adjusted the rear view mirror. This obviously left me in a lurch because I had to go to work. So I drove without a rear view mirror until I could get a replacement after the work day. This is obviously a dangerous situation to be in. I…

2022 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 27, 2026


Engine failure at 93,000 miles. Timing chain jumped, causing internal engine damage. Dealer (Capitol Kia, San Jose CA) diagnosed engine as failed and quoted $11,843 for short block replacement. Vehicle is a 2021 Kia Sportage 2.4L. This is a known issue with the Theta II 2.4L engine.

2021 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 27, 2026


While I was driving in the interstate my car when in limp mode while I was trying to pass a semi. I had my children in the car and was stranded on the side of the road. No warning lights ever came on before hand. My mechanic said it was a problem with my engine and it’s common in Kia’s in but doe not include my year. It’s a costly repair for a car that’s not even 5 years old.

2018 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 26, 2026


Fire

1. Component or System Malfunction & Availability Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer Reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident. Available for Inspection: No. The vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire and is a total loss. 2. Safety Risk Assessment The vehicle was being driven at highway speeds on a major freeway by my 21-year-old son, Brennan Font,…

2018 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 26, 2026


Fire

Component/System Failed: An unidentified component within the engine compartment failed, resulting in a sudden, catastrophic thermal event (engine fire). Odometer Reading: 100,415 miles at the time of the incident. Available for Inspection: No. The vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire and is a total loss. 2. Safety Risk Assessment The vehicle was being driven at highway speeds on a major freeway by my [XXX] [XXX [XXX] incident occurred. The sudden presence of heavy smoke and…

2025 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 25, 2026


While exiting the John C. Lodge Freeway in Detroit at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal became stuck halfway during braking and the vehicle did not stop properly on the first brake application. I had to remove my foot from the brake pedal and press it again before the brakes engaged and the vehicle stopped. This has occurred approximately seven times intermittently. The issue creates a serious safety hazard and risk of collision. In addition, the “D” gear indicator intermittently blinks…

2025 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID

Filed May 24, 2026


Horn stopped working

2023 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID

Filed May 23, 2026


I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The vehicle developed a “Check Hybrid System” warning and was diagnosed by a Kia dealership as having a failure involving the high-voltage hybrid system, specifically the MCU (Motor Control Unit). The dealership informed me that the vehicle may be unsafe to drive due to the possibility of fire risk associated with the high-voltage system. I was told technicians had to use specialized protective equipment while diagnosing…

2020 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 22, 2026


The car shook and lights came on at a stop light and began violently knocking. Since it was at a stop light the safety was a risk had the hazard lights weren't engaged immediately. The dealer confirmed it was a catastrophic engine failure. An inspector for the warranty company was deployed two times. The lights only appeared at the time of engine failure.

2023 KIA SPORTAGE

Filed May 22, 2026


I have a 2023 Kia Sportage I purchased and I was driving one day and my entire cars power shut off & so did the engine while I was driving on the highway going 70mph + and when I’m driving on the regular roads as well I’ve almost gotten into an accident over this issue already once when I went to go take it into Jeffery Kia in Roseville Michigan and asked for it to be looked at i was immediately dismissed and they would not look at my car at all so then I called summit place Kia in Clinton…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.