NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
77 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 14, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes
HI! I JUST TOOK MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TODAY, JULY 14, 2012 AND INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MY VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT KIA RECALLED 2007 SPORTAGE IN 2009 BECAUSE OF EXTERNAL BREAK LIGH…
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HI! I JUST TOOK MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TODAY, JULY 14, 2012 AND INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MY VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT KIA RECALLED 2007 SPORTAGE IN 2009 BECAUSE OF EXTERNAL BREAK LIGHTING ISSUES. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY THE KIA DEALER WHATSOEVER AND HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS. I AM COMPLETELY BESIDE MYSELF THAT I DROVE A CAR FOR THREE YEARS WITH A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL. AT THIS POINT, I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I GUESS I SHOULD CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT IS NOT RIGHT TO KEEP THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMERS. IT IS NEGLIGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO SELL A CAR TO SOMEONE IF IT HAS A SAFETY RECALL AND NOT TO NOTIFY OR WARN THEM ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465670
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR ESCAPE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH) BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR ESCAPE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH) BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12 UPDATED 06/19/12. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10446883
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT IN MY CAR IS ILLUMINATING WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUTTON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE BULBS (ALL OTHER TAIL LAMPS WORK...BLINKERS, FLASHERS & BACK-UP LIGHTS). I LOOKED UP ON-LINE AND FOUND THAT KIA HAD ISSUED A RE…
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THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT IN MY CAR IS ILLUMINATING WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUTTON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE BULBS (ALL OTHER TAIL LAMPS WORK...BLINKERS, FLASHERS & BACK-UP LIGHTS). I LOOKED UP ON-LINE AND FOUND THAT KIA HAD ISSUED A RECALL "EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH" ANNOUNCED ON 4/17/2009 FOR THIS VERY THING. I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP. THE RESPONDED ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT WAS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL. I WOULD HAVE TO INCUR THE EXPENSE. HOW DO I KNOW ONCE IT'S FIXED IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE SAFETY CONCERNS: 1) DRIVING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND BEING UNAWARE; 2) THE ESC MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL/NOT SHUT OF WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE. I AM CONCERNED THAT PEOPLES SAFETY IS AT RISK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445216
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire
DRIVINE ON ROAD APPROX SPEED 35 MILES PER HOUR AND EXPERIENCED BURNING SMELL. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IMMEDIATELY WENT FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE TO HOT. I PULLED OUT OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AS THERE WERE LARGE BILLOWS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENG…
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DRIVINE ON ROAD APPROX SPEED 35 MILES PER HOUR AND EXPERIENCED BURNING SMELL. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IMMEDIATELY WENT FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE TO HOT. I PULLED OUT OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AS THERE WERE LARGE BILLOWS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE . THERE WAS FIRE UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 WHO SENT THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES WITHIN 2 MINUTES AND IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES TO ARRIVE AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FLAMES WERE PRESENT TO THE BACK SEAT AND THE ONLY PORTION OF THE VEHICLE INTACT WAS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441058
11,185 miles · Dec 7, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR ESC LIGHT STAYING ON. FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS OK, NEXT 2 TIMES THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN MALFUNCTIONS AGAIN. ESC LIGHT STAYS ON, CRUISE WILL NOT WORK, AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON. VEHICLE NOW HAS 71000 MILES AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. AFTER…
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR ESC LIGHT STAYING ON. FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS OK, NEXT 2 TIMES THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN MALFUNCTIONS AGAIN. ESC LIGHT STAYS ON, CRUISE WILL NOT WORK, AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON. VEHICLE NOW HAS 71000 MILES AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THE WEB, LOCATED A RECALL ON THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM, 09V130000 IS THE NUMBER. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THIS VIN # IS NOT IN THE RECALL, YET ITS THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT AS THE RECALL. RECALL SAID IT CAN LEAD TO A CRASH. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438945
70,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 'STOP LAMP SWITCH' IN 2009 FOR CERTAIN KIA MODELS INCLUDING MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED IN JUNE OF 2009 FOR THIS ISSUE. SINCE THEN THE "WARRANTY" EXPIRED ON THE PART AND IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN (I HAVE NO FUNCTIONAL BRAKE L…
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MY COMPLAINT IS WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 'STOP LAMP SWITCH' IN 2009 FOR CERTAIN KIA MODELS INCLUDING MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED IN JUNE OF 2009 FOR THIS ISSUE. SINCE THEN THE "WARRANTY" EXPIRED ON THE PART AND IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN (I HAVE NO FUNCTIONAL BRAKE LIGHTS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY MUST CHARGE ME THE FULL $160.00 TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, THERE IS A BACK ORDER ON THE PART, SO I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR LEGALLY FOR AT LEAST A WEEK UNTIL THE PART COMES IN. THIS IS CONCERNING, WHY IS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH CONTINUING TO FAIL? OBVIOUSLY SINCE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER THERE SEEMS TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM - THE RECALL SEEMS TO HAVE FAILED! I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP. THE RESPONDED ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT WAS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WOULD HAVE TO INCUR THE EXPENSE. HOW DO I KNOW ONCE IT'S FIXED IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE SAFETY CONCERNS: 1) DRIVING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND BEING UNAWARE; 2) THE ESC MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL/NOT SHUT OF WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE. I AM CONCERNED THAT PEOPLES SAFETY IS AT RISK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422395
54,675 miles · Jul 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I DROVE FROM AVONDALE, ARIZONA TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOR A SUMMER STAY EXACTLY 6 WEEKS AGO, MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE CONTINUES TO STALL AND TURN OFF WHILE IDLING OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 1 MONTH AND 3 ATTEMPTS TO HAVE KIA REPAIR IT. I DECIDED TO DO A SEARCH ONLINE TONIGHT AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EUREKA! THIS…
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I DROVE FROM AVONDALE, ARIZONA TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOR A SUMMER STAY EXACTLY 6 WEEKS AGO, MY 2007 KIA SPORTAGE CONTINUES TO STALL AND TURN OFF WHILE IDLING OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 1 MONTH AND 3 ATTEMPTS TO HAVE KIA REPAIR IT. I DECIDED TO DO A SEARCH ONLINE TONIGHT AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EUREKA! THIS APPARENTLY IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH KIA BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR CARS STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND BEING UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED! IT'S BACK AT A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME IN A MONTH SINCE YESTERDAY 7/1/11! SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THERE HAVEN'T BEEN DEATHS ALREADY! MY CAR IS A 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH A 6L ENGINE THAT I PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2007WITH 3,040 MILES ON IT IS STILL UNDER KIA'S ADVERTISED WARRENTY (THE VERY REASON I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE), I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL NOW AND HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I DROVE FROM PHOENIX, ARIZONA TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OVER THE COURSE OF 3 DAYS FROM MAY 9TH TO MAY 12TH. 2 WEEKS LATER, (MAY 21ST) WITHOUT ANY OTHER INDICATIONS, IT BEGAN TO STALL AND SHUT OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE INITIAL ENGINE SHUT OFF WAS WHILE STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT COMING HOME FROM LUNCH OUT WITH A FRIEND NO ENGINE LIGHTS NO WARNING, IT STALLED AGAIN WHEN PULLING IN TO PARK AT HER HOUSE THAT SAME EVENING. I COULD JUST TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED BOTH TIMES BUT I ENDED THE OUTING AND WENT HOME WORRIED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT OUT AT DUSK IN CHICAGO WITH A STALLED CAR. I CALLED EVERGREEN KIA THE NEXT MORNING MAY 23TH AND SPOKE WITH BRIAN BOZER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM IT WAS PRESENTING AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE CAR IN. AT MY BROTHER'S SUGGESTION I THEN TOOK IT TO THE AUTO ZONE DOWN THE STREET AT 76TH AND STONEY ISLAND AND THE TECHNICIAN THERE USED A HANDHELD DIAGNOSTIC METER AND RECEIVED A CODE OF PO711, I TOOK THE RECEIPT WITH THE CODE FROM THE AUTO ZONE AND THE CAR IN AT 8AM ON MAY 23TH, IT STALLED ONCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410288
58,000 miles · May 20, 2011
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. DRIVER'S BELT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. AIR BAG LIGHT BACK ON AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402247
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
2007 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO REAR CALIPER SLIDES BEING CORRODED WITH BRAKE DUST. ALSO, THE TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN. *KB THE REAR CALIPERS FAILED TO RELEASE COMPLETELY. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY STATED THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE SLIDES CLEANED TO ASSURE THEY WERE NOT STI…
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2007 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO REAR CALIPER SLIDES BEING CORRODED WITH BRAKE DUST. ALSO, THE TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN. *KB THE REAR CALIPERS FAILED TO RELEASE COMPLETELY. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY STATED THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE SLIDES CLEANED TO ASSURE THEY WERE NOT STICKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10371448
30,015 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOG INJECTOR FAILED DUE TO DIESEL FUEL BEING USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 500 MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOG INJECTOR FAILED DUE TO DIESEL FUEL BEING USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 500 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,015.
NHTSA ODI #10365706
Official recalls
2Apr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Apr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗