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.
24 crash reports1 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
189 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure
For the two months I have had my car I have had problems with indicators going off on my dashboard warning to check various parts of the driver’s assistance system. I took it to the dealership three times and was told they cannot help because when they had the car for three days they didn’t have any problems and unless they get …
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For the two months I have had my car I have had problems with indicators going off on my dashboard warning to check various parts of the driver’s assistance system. I took it to the dealership three times and was told they cannot help because when they had the car for three days they didn’t have any problems and unless they get a code there wasn’t anything they could do. However, recently when it happened again I used the Kia Connect App on the dashboard to select the vehicle diagnostic, and it indicated there was a problem with the integrated breaking and body control system, lane assist, and airbags. It seems weird that the car itself is able to diagnose there is a problem but the dealership cannot. Also, the rear cross traffic control system has repeatedly come on when reversing causing my car to hard stops even though there is nothing behind my car. Then, yesterday when at a stop light the car stalled and a loud warning sound was blaring in the car. When I got the car working again the AC wouldn’t work for the rest of the trip. Each time there is a problem the problem will clear up after turning the car off for a period of time. But then the next day the problems will start back up randomly when the car is driving.
NHTSA ODI #11491449
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
My husband and I own a 2023 KIA Sportage that was purchased on May 11th, 2022. The car has barely 1700 miles on it, and in mint condition. My husband and I were at a stoplight turning left when all of a sudden we heard a loud explosion, almost like a shotgun. It was so loud my husband and I could physically feel the loud gun sh…
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My husband and I own a 2023 KIA Sportage that was purchased on May 11th, 2022. The car has barely 1700 miles on it, and in mint condition. My husband and I were at a stoplight turning left when all of a sudden we heard a loud explosion, almost like a shotgun. It was so loud my husband and I could physically feel the loud gun shot, and truly scared us to the point where we thought it might have been a drive-by shooting. We didn’t notice any damage at first until we pulled over and saw the start of the panoramic sunroof (near the front windshield) shattered completely. There currently is no recall on this issue despite the hundreds of reports. I am unable to drive my car as the front windshield can crack/explode at any moment.
NHTSA ODI #11488567
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Visibility
When traveling over the mountain when the sun is coming up or going down and it hits the windshield at an angle the wires for the heated windshield creates a rainbow across the windshield making the driver unable to tell where the lanes are or if there are vehicles in front of or merging. This has happened to me on 3 different o…
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When traveling over the mountain when the sun is coming up or going down and it hits the windshield at an angle the wires for the heated windshield creates a rainbow across the windshield making the driver unable to tell where the lanes are or if there are vehicles in front of or merging. This has happened to me on 3 different occasions. I have not noticed it after the sun is already up. Just rising and setting.
NHTSA ODI #11488141
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
One week after buying the brand new 2023 Kia Sportage, 6 warning signs popped up on the screen. They were to "Check the Forward Collision System," "Check the Bind Spot System," and 4 more of the safety features. In addition, the Check Engine light turning on, other warning signs were also highlighted in orange. Finally, when try…
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One week after buying the brand new 2023 Kia Sportage, 6 warning signs popped up on the screen. They were to "Check the Forward Collision System," "Check the Bind Spot System," and 4 more of the safety features. In addition, the Check Engine light turning on, other warning signs were also highlighted in orange. Finally, when trying to move the car, I was not able to get the gear out of Park. This happened multiple times over 12 hours.
NHTSA ODI #11483904
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2022
Air Bags
One week after purchasing the 2023 KIA Sportage EX, the airbag light came on. I took it to a local dealership who deemed the vehicle "unfit to drive" and kept it for 12 days. After 12 days, the vehicle was released to me and I was told the airbag issue had been resolved. However, a mere two days later, the airbag light came ba…
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One week after purchasing the 2023 KIA Sportage EX, the airbag light came on. I took it to a local dealership who deemed the vehicle "unfit to drive" and kept it for 12 days. After 12 days, the vehicle was released to me and I was told the airbag issue had been resolved. However, a mere two days later, the airbag light came back again. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and have requested both the dealership and KIA to buy back the vehicle since it is brand new, but both have refused. After being told by the dealership that the vehicle was unsafe to drive when I took it in for the first time after the airbag light came on, I am afraid to drive the vehicle and will have to again take it back to the dealership but I will never feel safe in this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11482869
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2022
Visibility
Windshield began to crack when the vehicle had approximately 500 miles. The windshield does not show impact from a rock or any object. The crack was noticed when getting into the vehicle, the crack did not occur while driving. Within a week the windshield showed extensive cracking within a short period of time, thereby preventin…
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Windshield began to crack when the vehicle had approximately 500 miles. The windshield does not show impact from a rock or any object. The crack was noticed when getting into the vehicle, the crack did not occur while driving. Within a week the windshield showed extensive cracking within a short period of time, thereby preventing repair. The crack began on driver side and runs all the way to the bottom passenger side.
NHTSA ODI #11479273
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2022
Equipment
I purchased a brand new 2023 Kia Sportage X-Line March 23, 2022. When I turned the A/C on, very warm air was blowing from the vents even though A/C button was on and temperature was set to low meaning cold air. The air rapidly became burning hot to the point it would burn your hands when placed by the vents to test the air. …
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I purchased a brand new 2023 Kia Sportage X-Line March 23, 2022. When I turned the A/C on, very warm air was blowing from the vents even though A/C button was on and temperature was set to low meaning cold air. The air rapidly became burning hot to the point it would burn your hands when placed by the vents to test the air. I had to shut it off. Opening the windows did not help, the weather was in the 90’s, and summer had arrived!! It was like driving in a sauna trying to breath. I took it to the dealer, problem reproduced. Service contacted Kia engineers; they suggested replacing the AC HOSE-DISCHARGE. The part was extremely difficult to find but he was able to locate the only one available in the U.S. The part took a week to arrive and the install was done. Service called to tell me he discovered the original part that came with the vehicle (HOSE) had a leak at the top by the crimp and the replacement hose has a leak at the bottom by the crimp! A/C still does not work, only for burning hot air. Okay so now we have to order another HOSE and try again. THERE ARE NO HOSES AVAILBALE ANYWHERE IN THE US!!! THEY ARE ON BACKORDER FOR 4 TO 6 WEEKS OR MORE. Apparently I may not be the only one with this A/C problem and KIA might be trying to figure out how to resolve it with either a service announcement or a recall. The problem seems to be in the manufacturing of the hoses if brand new vehicles are shipped to the dealers this way. So my brand new car once again sits in the driveway not knowing when or if it can even be fixed and I certainly can’t afford to pay for a rental vehicle up front out of pocket, this 2023 Sportage is paid in full--cash!
NHTSA ODI #11467545
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2022
Visibility/wiper
Driving down the highway with my two kids and little brother in the back seat leaving vacation. Nobody is in front of us and we are not under an overpass. We all hear what we thought was a shotgun being shot at us. It ended up being the panoramic sunroof, quite literally exploding on my brand new vehicle. (mileage was at 3450 wh…
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Driving down the highway with my two kids and little brother in the back seat leaving vacation. Nobody is in front of us and we are not under an overpass. We all hear what we thought was a shotgun being shot at us. It ended up being the panoramic sunroof, quite literally exploding on my brand new vehicle. (mileage was at 3450 when it happened). The glass is pointing outwards NOT inwards. absolutely NOTHING hit my vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11467505
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2022
Air Bags
My airbag light has been on since I got my vehicle. The dealership said it is the front side impact sensor that is failing. If I were to get into an accident my front airbag would not deploy. The dealership has seen the light and confirmed the problem.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗