Kia Sportage electrical problems

"I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure (rod knock/bearing failure) in my 2017 Kia Sportage, consistent with the Theta II GDI defect. The failure caused a sudden loss of motive power while in traffic, creating a significant safety risk. Furthermore, I am reporting Bill Dodge Kia (Westbrook, ME) for safety negligence. On September 26, 2023 (at 83,611 miles), this vehicle was in their service bay for brake work. Despite the vehicle being under an active HECU Fire Risk Recall (SC206) and requiring the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign, the dealership failed to perform these safety updates or disclose them to me. When confronted, dealership management (Alex Pinto, Bob Colton, and Patrick Demers) explicitly stated it was 'not their responsibility' to inform customers of known defects or active recalls. This practice left me driving a vehicle with a known fire risk and a documented engine defect for over two years without my knowledge, ultimately leading to the current engine failure."

Immediately after delivery, the instrument/infotainment display malfunctioned, froze, and became unresponsive. Apple CarPlay failed, and phone calls distorted or dropped. After reporting the issue, I discovered that this VIN is subject to Safety Recall SC359B, with a recall date of December 17, 2025, and a status of RECALL INCOMPLETE / NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. This recall existed prior to the sale. The recall is confirmed by the Kia owner app, Kia/NHTSA VIN lookup, and the dealer’s internal campaign report. Despite this, the dealer stated in writing that there were “no open recalls” and refused to unwind the sale, mischaracterizing the defect as an “audio panel” issue. I am submitting this to document a retail delivery of a new motor vehicle under an open, VIN-specific safety recall with no available remedy, which constitutes a violation of federal motor vehicle safety law (49 U.S.C. §§ 30112 and 30120). I request review by the Office of Defects Investigation and Recall Management Division.

Incident Date: [XXX] Vehicle: 2023 Kia Sportage Component(s): Power Train (Automatic Transmission Shifter), Electrical System (Instrument Cluster/Display), Back Over Prevention (Rearview Camera) Description of Incident: On [XXX], while performing a low-speed maneuver in Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Shift-by-Wire (SBW) logic failure resulting in a collision. After shifting the rotary gear selector from Reverse to Drive, the transmission failed to engage the selected gear and remained in Reverse without any auditory or haptic warning to the driver. Simultaneously, the Rear View Monitor (RVM) experienced a "system hang," continuing to display the rear camera feed and blocking the instrument cluster’s gear-position indicator. Due to this dual failure—unintended gear retention and display latency—the vehicle traveled in an unintended direction (Reverse) while I attempted to accelerate forward, leading to a property damage accident. Post-Incident Documentation: The vehicle was presented to Performance Kia (Moosic, PA) on 12/19/25. Technician #957 confirmed the software logic was corrupted and performed a "Clear and Relearn of Adaptive Values" to reset the Transmission Control Module (TCM). This diagnostic confirms that the vehicle was operating with failed control logic. Safety Risk: The failure of the Shift-by-Wire system to accurately execute gear changes, combined with the instrument cluster's failure to provide real-time gear position as required by FMVSS No. 102, creates an unreasonable risk of collision and injury. I was never notified of Recall SC270 or SC275, which address similar software and hydraulic failures in this model year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was parked in a spot outside the Service Department of John Kennedy Ford, waiting for my son, who was getting his car serviced. I couldn't see the door of the Service Department, so I decided to move to a position in which I could see my son exit the Department. I put the car into Reverse to exit the spot and it accelerated at an uncontrollable rate of speed backwards, striking two cars parked outside the Service Department, pushing them into other vehicles in the parking area. I put the car into drive to pull away from the cars I impacted and the car accelerated at an uncontrollable rate of speed forwards, striking a curb in front of the showroom, causing my car to veer into two new cars on the lot, sideswiping the last car and veering my car into a lamppost along The Fairway. The collision caused my car to stop, causing the Driver airbag to deploy. At no time did the forward collision avoidance system cause the car to brake itself. When the car was moving, the engine was revving at maximum RPM. I wasn't able to control the vehicle. The policed officer who investigated the scene said he did not see any interference from the floor mat, which he said is a common cause. Upon reviewing the activities leading up to the crash, I recalled attempting to use the remote start feature of the vehicle, which had been operating flawlessly. However, on this day, it took 3-4 attempts to get the vehicle to start remotely, possibly indicating a computer flaw. I was injured; no one else was. The vehicle is in the State Farm lot awaiting interrogation by KIA.

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH on the highway, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of smoke inside the vehicle. It was unknown whether a warning light illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that there were police officers 20 ft. away from the vehicle. The police officers advised the contact to get away from the vehicle. The contact noticed flames under the hood, by the engine compartment. The contact stated that the entire vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the entire vehicle was completely burned to the metal. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report was filed, and it was reported that the fire originated from the engine. A police report was filed. A firefighter sustained an unknown injury and was taken to the nearest hospital. The contact did not sustain physical injuries but sustained mental injury, lack of sleep, anxiety, and was upset. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The manufacturer sent an investigator who inspected the vehicle and stated that the cause of the fire was undetermined. The manufacturer provided vehicle rental assistance as a settlement. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Frequently while driving my 2023 Kia shortage Hybrid will accelerate on its own. This happens randomly while driving straight as well as making turns. My suv also has a vary hard time driving uphill. If im driving at 25 mph when approaching the hill, my car then gradually drops down to 10-15 mph.This is extremely scary especially when driving with my children in the car. I haven’t owned the vehicle for a year and don’t know why it’s performing this way.

Blank Instrument Panel Screen. abnormal CAN message which can cause certain instrument clusters with a 4.2” screen to reboot while driving. During this rebooting, the cluster will not show information such as the speedometer or telltales for approximately five (5) seconds. As a result, the subject vehicles do not comply with the visibility and illumination requirements of FMVSS 101, §§ S5.1.2 and 5.3.1

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine experienced difficulty cranking. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The contact stated that the engine revved up, but the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The Auto START/STOP light was orange. The contact was concerned about a possible disintegration of the transmission after a friend alerted him of a similar failure. The contact called the local dealer and left a message. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

A month after buying my vehicle in February of 2024, while driving my vehicle the screen behind my steering wheel will black out and come back on and do a system check as if I had just turned my car on. It happens at all times of day, at all speeds. I kept a log of some of the incidences and there are no two that are the same. I have even been in park with the car on and it will happen. When you are driving with cruise control on and it does it the cruise control shuts off then comes back on after it has done the system check again. This is extremely dangerous while driving on the interstate and a line of cars around you. I have taken it to the dealership and they have worked with Kia to try to figure it out and still have not been able to. I am now going on almost two years of this happening without any resolution. Below I put the last time it happened but this happens ALL the time and is not one isolated incident. I have attached a log I kept for two months of the incidences.