My Kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at Dunkin Donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was there and police was called.
2023 Kia Sportage
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sportage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 29 of 189 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
30 reportsLeased NEW Kia Sportage on 1/1/22 Went in for oil change on 11/11/22 3 hrs later told a "forced" update "burned" out the computer and car was not driveable On 11/30/22 was driving to work on LI expressway, car shut down without warning while I was driving, smelled something burning, called 911, car towed to dealer. Told it was d…
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Leased NEW Kia Sportage on 1/1/22 Went in for oil change on 11/11/22 3 hrs later told a "forced" update "burned" out the computer and car was not driveable On 11/30/22 was driving to work on LI expressway, car shut down without warning while I was driving, smelled something burning, called 911, car towed to dealer. Told it was defective fuel injector. 1/29/23 I reported brakes grinding and vibration sound coming from engine, RPM's rev up but car doesn't accelerate. Brakes needed to be cut. Was told since there was no "code" nothing could be done about engine sound/rpm increasing. Car was in for service 3 times because of this issue. 9/10/23 car shut down while I was driving without warning and gas smell in car was nauseating. Car would briefly start & shut down. Car towed to dealer. I have reached out to Kia Corporate numerous times expressing I am afraid to drive the car, the car is dangerous and my life and the lives of others at risk. When car shuts down, ther is NO warning, it just STOPS. I have had nightmares and lost sleep. I travel on highways & busy roads everyday. Kia wanted me to sign waiver releasing them of everything in lieu of 3 months lease payments. Expressed my life & lives of others are worth more than 3 payments. Car has had 2 recalls on top of these issues. I have reached out for help and have been ignored. 9/12/23 told by KIA corporate it would take 2 weeks to escalate my complaint. Car is currently at dealership. PLEASE HELP!
The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained fro…
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The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash, the second vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. The manufacturer has not yet contacted us. The failure mileage was 450.
I was notified that my vehicle has a recall on the brake booster. My inspection was scheduled August 10, 2023 and I was advised that my vehicle was in fact a vehicle that had a defective part. The dealership has advised me that they can not provide a repair date for the recall because of parts being on back order. I do not feel …
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I was notified that my vehicle has a recall on the brake booster. My inspection was scheduled August 10, 2023 and I was advised that my vehicle was in fact a vehicle that had a defective part. The dealership has advised me that they can not provide a repair date for the recall because of parts being on back order. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. I hear unsafe sounds coming from the brake booster and pressing the brakes already feel different. I have advised the dealership that I do not feel safe and they said that they could not do anything about it. I also contacted Kia Corporation and advised them that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and they said that it was the dealership's responsibility to ensure that I have safe transportation. No one is taking responsibility and I am not feeling safe driving said vehicle. Someone needs to take accountability. I just purchased this vehicle brand new and have no other way to get to and from. Someone needs to contact me immediately.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, attempting to merge onto the roadway, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate. As a result, the vehicle crashed into semi-truck on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A p…
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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, attempting to merge onto the roadway, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate. As a result, the vehicle crashed into semi-truck on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital and treated for whiplash and back pain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who did not diagnose the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.
We have called 3 dealerships Kia that is and our recall for the brakes is about 3 months or so old. We were told that they will not look at any cars for this because parts are not available but other cars like ours are thin in also how can a recall happen when there is no parts isn't that a must when a recall is this dangerous t…
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We have called 3 dealerships Kia that is and our recall for the brakes is about 3 months or so old. We were told that they will not look at any cars for this because parts are not available but other cars like ours are thin in also how can a recall happen when there is no parts isn't that a must when a recall is this dangerous they will not even schedule appointments and this has been 3.5 months. And now I read that an oil pump recall may affect ours and we cannot park in a garage due to it may burn the house down, This one has not been confirmed but no one will let us know about the oil pump catching fire or what vehicles it is for but I have seen its for 2023 Ki Sportage ALL MODELS. How crazy is Kia not taking care of customer and we only have 13,000 miles on our 2023 Kia Sportage AWD XLINE. THANK YOU LARRY ROWLAND 1402 W 17TH ST UNIT A CLAREMORE Oklahoma 74017
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. Tw…
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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.
The parts to repair the brake recall are not available. No date can be given for availability. We have been told not to drive the vehicle. No loaner car is available. This is totally unacceptable.
On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and wa…
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On the morning of May 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th Avenue and Bayshore Drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways .I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a Good Samaritan had opened the door from the outside and I crawled under the airbags and got out . The car did not go on fire but was still on when I was able to then turn it off . Police were called and I was checked at the hospital .
My warning light & description for check AWD/4WD started coming on after the first road trip. It then came on everytime I drove the vehicle. Now the dealership service department is dealing with the main KIA maintenance to determine why the light comes on every time the vehicle is driven, even half a mile.
Official recalls
624V025000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
Jan 18, 2024
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
23V531000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump
Jul 31, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
23V410000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
Jun 7, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
23V298000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Apr 26, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
22V878000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain
Nov 28, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.
22V651000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Aug 29, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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