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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 →

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.

24 crash reports1 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

189 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainSteering

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 ro…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11525558

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2023
Unknown Or Other

The windshield from passenger side to center spiderweb crack. It looks to originate in frame of car. Nothing hit windshield. I see a few others having same problem

NHTSA ODI #11525474

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 .

NHTSA ODI #11525243

15,500 miles · May 30, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

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 wa…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11524440

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2023
Seat Belts

The driver seatbelt buckle does not stay buckled in. It is not attaching correctly. I have to push in the red button and then put the buckle in. Sometimes this will secure, other times I have to repeat the steps or it will come out while I am driving. I am concerned that if there was an accident the accident would not work corre…

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The driver seatbelt buckle does not stay buckled in. It is not attaching correctly. I have to push in the red button and then put the buckle in. Sometimes this will secure, other times I have to repeat the steps or it will come out while I am driving. I am concerned that if there was an accident the accident would not work correctly. I called to schedule an appointment and the dealership was also concerned. They checked recalls and there are none. They are unable to get my vehicle looked at until the end of June which is almost a month away.

NHTSA ODI #11523871

3,500 miles · May 22, 2023
Engine

Engine oil has gotten very low to the point of the low oil light alert shows on dashboard. This incident has occurred 3 times since we’ve bought the vehicle new in October of 2022. The vehicle has 3,500 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11523213

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Low oil indicator light came on at 15k miles. Tried to lock doors with key fob but could not. Had to open doors using key after popping off door handle. Put key in ignition but when turning car off and taking key out of ignition vehicle kept running and did not turn off for 15 minutes. Finally turned off on its own. Had veh…

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Low oil indicator light came on at 15k miles. Tried to lock doors with key fob but could not. Had to open doors using key after popping off door handle. Put key in ignition but when turning car off and taking key out of ignition vehicle kept running and did not turn off for 15 minutes. Finally turned off on its own. Had vehicle towed by Kia to Kia of Groton CT.

NHTSA ODI #11523054

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

A few months after I got the car all of the warning lights randomly came on and I had to turn jt off and on and they went away. Since then around Nov 22 it has happened about 25 times or more and is happening more frequently lately. I called kia and they said they hadn't heard anything yet bc of it being so new. Also the brake a…

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A few months after I got the car all of the warning lights randomly came on and I had to turn jt off and on and they went away. Since then around Nov 22 it has happened about 25 times or more and is happening more frequently lately. I called kia and they said they hadn't heard anything yet bc of it being so new. Also the brake assist for Collison is VERY dangerous. You can be a car length and more away and it will take the brake out from my foot and slam on the brakes and about throw me through the windshield with my seat belt on. This has happened too many times and has hurt my chest. I turned it off and it has still done it. Another thing, the lane assistance tries to take the wheel away from you and will jerk the car one way or the other which is scary. Please look into these!!

NHTSA ODI #11521529

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2023
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11521104

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Jack Daniels Kia, Fairlawn, NJ. The following Kia Sportage door lock failure is not being fixed. I bought a brand New Car on 4-10-2023. My VIN 5XYK33AF9*** I purchased my new 2023 Kia Sportage on 4-10-2023. Unfortunately, the day I drove home after the purchase, the door locks didn't work. The door lock lights blinked but did…

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Jack Daniels Kia, Fairlawn, NJ. The following Kia Sportage door lock failure is not being fixed. I bought a brand New Car on 4-10-2023. My VIN 5XYK33AF9*** I purchased my new 2023 Kia Sportage on 4-10-2023. Unfortunately, the day I drove home after the purchase, the door locks didn't work. The door lock lights blinked but didn't lock or unlock the car doors. I also could not manually lock the car from the inside. Sales said I should keep the car in my garage. However, the service depart said it could be at least 3 months or more before they could check the vehicle to fix the door locks because Kia Motors had something to do with the manufactures computer. HEY!! I just bought a brand new car. Unfortunately, I can't get a straight answer from Jack Daniels Kia's service dept. At least a solution that I understand or makes sense. A Brand new car malfunction should be a #1 repair priority. Unfortunately, at Jack Daniels Kia Service, it's not.

NHTSA ODI #11519045

Official recalls

6

24V025000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems