NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
77 reports60,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Service Brakes
THE ABS PUMP, CAUSED MY BRAKES TO LOCK ON ALL FOUR TIRES CAUSING RUBBER TO BURN AND SMOKE. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING HAPPENED AND FELT LIKE I HAD EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR, WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AS I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY. NO EMERGENCY LIGHT WAS GIV…
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THE ABS PUMP, CAUSED MY BRAKES TO LOCK ON ALL FOUR TIRES CAUSING RUBBER TO BURN AND SMOKE. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING HAPPENED AND FELT LIKE I HAD EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR, WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AS I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY. NO EMERGENCY LIGHT WAS GIVEN ON MY PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328019
210,000 miles · Nov 16, 2019
Structure
MY 07 SPORTAGE HAD DEVELOPED A MYSTERIOUS CREAK NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND GOING OVER BATCHES AND BUMPS(WHICH I IGNORED). THIS PROGRESSED INTO A RATHER LOUD CLUNK GOING OVER BUMPS THAT YOU COULD ALSO FEEL IN THE FLOORBOARDS. THIS PROMPTED ME TO TAKE A LOOK SEE AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. TURNS OUT, THE SO…
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MY 07 SPORTAGE HAD DEVELOPED A MYSTERIOUS CREAK NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND GOING OVER BATCHES AND BUMPS(WHICH I IGNORED). THIS PROGRESSED INTO A RATHER LOUD CLUNK GOING OVER BUMPS THAT YOU COULD ALSO FEEL IN THE FLOORBOARDS. THIS PROMPTED ME TO TAKE A LOOK SEE AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. TURNS OUT, THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE REAR CHASSIS CROSSMEMBER THAT MOUNTS THE UPPER TRAILING ARMS FOR THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD ROTTEN CLEAN THROUGH AND THE MOUNTING ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD BROKEN FREE. HERE YOU CAN SEE THE REMNANTS OF THE CROSSMEMBER AND MOUNTING BRACKET STILL BOLTED TO THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY; THE DAMAGE WAS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CROSSMEMBER INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK MOUNT AND NOTE THE LEFT SIDE TRAILING ARM MOUNT WAS NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM BREAKING OFF AS WELL. THE FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED DOWN BY THE RIGHT REAR LOWER TRAILING ARM MOUNT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO FOR UNDERCOATING, I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER IN YONKERS, NEW YORK AND I AM SURE THEY SAW THIS ROTTEN DAMAGE AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN DANGER. I COULD HAVE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES. IT LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME AND COMPONENTS ARE OF CHEAP QUALITY
NHTSA ODI #11280461
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2019
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
2007 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THEM. *AS *TR *JS *JS
NHTSA ODI #11174031
203,300 miles · Feb 4, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER, VERY CONCERN TOOK IT TO A SERVICE PLACE TO DIAGNOSE AND CAME BACK 2 CODES, SEE PIC PLEASE
NHTSA ODI #11173860
66,208 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Engine
MY ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE AUG 15 2017 FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. KIA HAS NOW GIVEN ME 8 DIFFERENT DATES FOR A NEW ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11172114
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2018
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT WHO OWNED A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE CLIENT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR ENDED WAS PUSHED HEAD ON INTO THE CLIENT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLI…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT WHO OWNED A 2007 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE CLIENT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR ENDED WAS PUSHED HEAD ON INTO THE CLIENT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT'S VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS INTENDED. THE CLIENT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIENT WAS WEARING THE LAP AND SHOULDER SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME, BUT THEY FAILED TO WORK AS INTENDED. THE CLIENT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER'S SPOUSE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY AND POSSESSION WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE LAW FIRM'S STORAGE LOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DIAGNOSE THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE CLIENT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT AND WORKED AS INTENDED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11162292
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE CONTACTED AND GONE TO DEALERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION. WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON, CAR SOMETIMES STALLS AND THERE IS A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL NEAR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I HAVE READ AND PRINTED MANY REPORTS FROM ONLINE COMPLA…
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THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE CONTACTED AND GONE TO DEALERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION. WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON, CAR SOMETIMES STALLS AND THERE IS A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL NEAR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I HAVE READ AND PRINTED MANY REPORTS FROM ONLINE COMPLAINTS WHERE CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING SAME THING HAPPENS TO THEM. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO THAT I TOOK THIS MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK TO DOCUMENT WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE TRYING TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AT A DEALERSHIP BY SPRAYING WATER ON IT DOES NOT HELP. I SHOWED A CO-WORKER THE VIDEO THIS MORNING AND HE SAID FOR ME TO KEEP IT BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, PERHAPS THIS WILL HELP THE LAWSUIT. I REPORTED THIS ORIGINALLY IN 2017 BUT HAS OCCURRED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IN THE RAIN. THIS MORNING WAS THE MOST RECENT AND I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING GETS ADDRESSED???
NHTSA ODI #11115322
124,000 miles · Apr 17, 2018
Electrical System
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS AGO FOR MY SON AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START, IV'E HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY, SAID IT WAS GOOD, SAID THE ALTERNATOR WAS GOOD ALSO, THEY HAD THE VEHICLE ALL WEEKEND, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE STARTER, PICKED…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS AGO FOR MY SON AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START, IV'E HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY, SAID IT WAS GOOD, SAID THE ALTERNATOR WAS GOOD ALSO, THEY HAD THE VEHICLE ALL WEEKEND, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE STARTER, PICKED THE VEHICLE UP YESTERDAY, MY SON TOOK IT TO SCHOOL TODAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN, I TRIED TO JUMP START IT WITH NO LUCK, I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY SON TO DRIVE, THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT AS WE SPEAK, WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE FOR GETTING MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11088730
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2018
Air Bags
MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH.
NHTSA ODI #11074912
150,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
Unknown Or OtherFire
ON JANUARY 2ND, 2018 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE 7 ELEVEN IN SILVIS ILLINOIS AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND THEN BLEW UP. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ALL BECAUSE I COULDN'T GIVE THEM COLORED PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT. I GAVE THEM 5 OR 6 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND…
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ON JANUARY 2ND, 2018 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE 7 ELEVEN IN SILVIS ILLINOIS AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND THEN BLEW UP. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ALL BECAUSE I COULDN'T GIVE THEM COLORED PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT. I GAVE THEM 5 OR 6 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11065030
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 ↗