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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.

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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 16, 2025
Back Over PreventionUnknown Or OtherCrash

While backing up, the vehicle’s rear camera and sensors failed to alert me to a low object. There was no audible warning, and the object was below rear window visibility. This resulted in a dent to the trunk. The camera system typically provides audio warnings, but it was silent during this event. I am concerned this could indic…

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While backing up, the vehicle’s rear camera and sensors failed to alert me to a low object. There was no audible warning, and the object was below rear window visibility. This resulted in a dent to the trunk. The camera system typically provides audio warnings, but it was silent during this event. I am concerned this could indicate a defect in the backup safety system. There have been similar recalls put out for other Kia models in this year which concerns me even more that I had this issue and that my car does not have a recall out.

NHTSA ODI #11667212

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2025
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

The issue appears to involve the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system or the transmission fluid/lubricant pump. The vehicle jerks or hesitates when accelerating from a stop, as if struggling to shift properly. The check engine light comes on repeatedly. This issue is ongoing, and the vehicle is available for inspectio…

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The issue appears to involve the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system or the transmission fluid/lubricant pump. The vehicle jerks or hesitates when accelerating from a stop, as if struggling to shift properly. The check engine light comes on repeatedly. This issue is ongoing, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The jerking and hesitation when trying to drive, especially from a stop or when merging into traffic, poses a safety risk to myself and others. The delayed or unpredictable response could easily lead to an accident in high-traffic areas, intersections, or when making turns. Yes. The issue has been observed multiple times. The check engine light has returned even after replacing the O2 sensors, and a trusted mechanic believes the problem may be transmission-related. However, the Kia dealership claims there are no active recalls tied to my VIN, even though publicly available information lists powertrain- and fluid pump-related recalls for my vehicle's year and model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Kia corporate. I reached out to the local dealer, who denied any applicable recall. I am submitting this complaint in hopes of an official review and inspection by the manufacturer or NHTSA to determine if the issue qualifies for safety recall intervention. Yes. The check engine light first appeared months ago, which led to replacement of the O2 sensors. Shortly after the replacement, the light returned, and the car began jerking while trying to drive or accelerate from a stop. These symptoms have persisted and appear to be worsening.

NHTSA ODI #11667091

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

I was driving on the highway and encountered a slick spot. The lane keeping assist and braking caused the car to veer to left to try to stay in the lane, which in turn caused the car to spin around twice. The car need to turn in the direction of the spin which was not possible because the lane assist was controlling the steering…

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I was driving on the highway and encountered a slick spot. The lane keeping assist and braking caused the car to veer to left to try to stay in the lane, which in turn caused the car to spin around twice. The car need to turn in the direction of the spin which was not possible because the lane assist was controlling the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI #11667074

23,000 miles · Jun 11, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument cluster went black, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that before being able to pull over, the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and repl…

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument cluster went black, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that before being able to pull over, the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the instrument cluster and wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the vehicle started stalling while stopped for traffic lights. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, the instrument cluster showed several unknown warning lights. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer. The dealer was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #11666269

68,585 miles · Jun 5, 2025
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the instrument panel failed to display pertinent information. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was t…

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the instrument panel failed to display pertinent information. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. However, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired unless the VIN was under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V298000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 68,585.

NHTSA ODI #11665129

47,000 miles · May 15, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact stated that the vehicle started after …

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact stated that the vehicle started after several attempts. The contact stated the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11661120

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2025
Service Brakes

My car is a 2023 Kia Sportage with 38,000 miles on it. I was informed upon getting my brake pads changed that my master cylinder for my brakes were not working, which is extremely dangerous and should not have happened until the car had at least 100,000 miles if ever. Not only did I have to pay out-of-pocket because Kia refused …

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My car is a 2023 Kia Sportage with 38,000 miles on it. I was informed upon getting my brake pads changed that my master cylinder for my brakes were not working, which is extremely dangerous and should not have happened until the car had at least 100,000 miles if ever. Not only did I have to pay out-of-pocket because Kia refused to get me in for a month so I had to go to a private repair shop to get this taken care of even though I was under warranty. This extremely concerning.

NHTSA ODI #11660074

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2025
Electrical System

On 3/9/25, the infotainment panel and media system blanked out. After pulling the vehicle over, the infotainment panel cluster buffered after restarting.

NHTSA ODI #11653999

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2025
Electrical System

The infotainment screen continues to blank out. The backup camera, media, navigation, or radio won’t work when the infotainment system is blank.

NHTSA ODI #11653264

70,000 miles · Mar 27, 2025
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the vehicle was struck on the passenger side front quarter panel by another vehicle that had failed to yield. As a result, the vehicle spun out of control through the intersection before c…

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, the vehicle was struck on the passenger side front quarter panel by another vehicle that had failed to yield. As a result, the vehicle spun out of control through the intersection before coming to a complete stop, causing the driver to hit her head on the driver's side window. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was evaluated by EMT on scene but declined to be transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver later transported herself to an area hospital and was treated for a concussion, neck pain, bruising, and various minor cuts to the knees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11651092

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