What Kia Sportage Hybrid owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Kia Sportage Hybrid safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2025 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2024 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53 |
| 2023 | 99 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 61 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Kia Sportage Hybrid complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Was driving my child to school when the Hybrid System alert came on, I only had a few seconds to try and pull over before the car completely shut down, we lost all motive power. I was on a downward incline right in front of an uncontrolled intersection with very little shoulder as I live in a rural mountain town. Since the parking brake is part of the integrated system I did not feel I had full control of the car while pulled to the side and even moved a bit while trying to wait to restart the system via the 12volt re-set button. This was a very serious safety issue, the difference of less than a minute could have led to my child and I being helpless in the middle of a highway intersection. …
Vehicle: 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line HybridVIN: [XXX] Complaint â Unexpected Forward Collision-Avoidance Emergency Braking I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety incident involving my 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line Hybrid. While driving on the highway at approximately 66 mph, my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly activated the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system and applied extremely hard emergency braking. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, or other visible obstruction in front of my vehicle that would have required emergency braking. The braking was severe and unexpected. The force of the braking was significant enough that it caused the passenger door to unlock. I …
While driving downhill, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of power steering assist and service braking assist with no warning lights on the dashboard. The brake pedal had no initial response and had to be pushed with full force completely to the floor to bring the vehicle to an emergency stop right before an intersection. The steering wheel became locked/unresponsive due to loss of power assist. The vehicle was taken to Lee Johnson Kia in [XXX] (Repair Order #XXX) and remained out of service for 37 days (XXX). The technician confirmed there were zero stored DTC codes, but noted on the official invoice: 'THERE IS NO TSB OR PITSTOP FOR THIS CONCERN AS I SAID THIS IS IN WORK …
1) The rearview mirror detached from the windshield and a piece of the glass came off with it leaving a small hole. 2) I was left without a rearview mirror. For the last 2 years the mirrow was being held up by the ADAS cover, but now the glass is cracking. 3) This incident took place 6 months after I bought the car. I took it to the Riverside dealership where I had purchased my car, the very next day and Frank, the manager accused me of breaking the mirrow. I pointed out that there were no cracks in the mirrow that would suggest there was an impact, it was just a hole from where the rearview mirrow detached from the glass. He insisted that I caused the issue and my warranty wouldn't cover …
Vehicle experiences intermittent stalls when accelerating at freeway speeds. This is my second NHSTA report on this vehicle. Kia replaced the engine to try to fix the problem but it persists.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the message "Brake Carefully" was displayed. The contact slightly depressed the brake pedal to test the brakes and continued driving; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure was an electrical issue. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1BB200 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the hybrid braking system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Th…
COMPONENT: Shift-by-wire transmission selector / hybrid control system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: Intermittently, after starting the vehicle, it will not engage Drive or Reverse. The selector input is accepted but the vehicle remains in Park/Neutral and does not move. The only way to clear it is to shut the vehicle off and restart it, sometimes up to 10 times, or by waiting a few hours, before a gear will engage. This has occurred repeatedly since purchase in November 2025. Vehicle currently has approximately 2,800 miles. SAFETY RISK: The vehicle can become unable to move without warning. If this occurs after a stop in traffic, at an intersection,…
On [XXX], while driving my brand new 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid (purchased 5 days prior on [XXX]), the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. The vehicle flashed an emergency warning and dropped into a highly restricted "limp mode" while actively in traffic, creating an immediate life-threatening collision hazard.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership on [XXX], 2026. On September 4, 2026, the dealership service department Kia of Dartmouth in Mass stated they could not replicate the fault or find active diagnostic codes, and instructed me to pick up the vehicle. Because a transient loss of propulsion is an undiagnosed, severe safety hazard, I have refused to …
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY047) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR â ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima Hybrid (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV), 2015MY~ Soul EV (PS EV), 2017MY~ Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV), 2022MY~ EV6 (CV), 2021MY~ Sorento (MQ4 HEV/PHEV), 2023MY~ Sportage (NQ5 HEV/PHEV), and 2023MY~ Niro (SG2 EV/HEV/PHEV) vehicles.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN GEN 5.0 WIDE SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information on the Audio Video Navigation (AVN) system software update for certain vehicles equipped with AVN5W and Navigation System listed in the table below. Affected vehicles may overestimate travel times during route calculation.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: UPPER ACTIVE AIR FLAP DUCT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (CA2606) - This bulletin provides information to replace the upper active air flap (âAAFâ) duct assembly on certain 2026-2027MY Sportage (NQ5), Sportage Hybrid (NQ5 HEV), and Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (NQ5, PHEV) vehicles produced from May 15, 2025, through May 11, 2026, which may exhibit a MIL ON with DTCs P05A300 and/or P059F00 due to insufficient flap rigidity, resulting in reduced AAF performance.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WIND NOISE FROM FRONT LEFT DOOR (CA2601) - This bulletin provides information regarding a wind noise heard on certain 2026MY Sportage vehicles listed. The affected vehicles may experience wind noise coming from the front left door while driving. Wind can travel through the run channel of the upper corner of the window run.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: KEY AND CYLINDER SET REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the driverâs door lock and trunk lid key cylinders on some 2019-2024MY Kia vehicles listed below. On affected vehicles, the stored key code may not correspond to the mechanical key profile, which can result in incorrect key cutting when the original key is lost or damaged.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, inâvehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN5.0W DTC P17A000 DAIGNOSTIC PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information regarding a potential illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) accompanied by DTC P17A000 on some 2022-2025MY Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) equipped with AVN5.0Wide head units listed below. This condition occurs when the Global Positioning System (GPS) module within the Audio Video Navigation (AVN) head unit, sends an inaccurate signal to the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU), causing the DTC to set. There are no drivability symptoms associat
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: AEWP INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SC325) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Auxiliary Electric Water Pump (AEWP), control harness wiring, and/or engine room junction box for coolant intrusion and/or corrosion on certain 2022-2023MY Kia Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles listed in the table below. The AEWP in the subject vehicles may cra
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR ELECTRIC WATER PUMP (SA635) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2026 Sportage and Sportage HEV/PHEV and 2025 EV6 vehicles. This update is designed to improve the operation logic of the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) for remote connectivity. This OTA will be rolled out to all eligible 2026MY Sportage, Sportage HEV/PHEV and EV6 vehicles with an active Kia Connect account.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: DCU OPERATIONSOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA635) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to improve the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) performance on all 2026MYSportage and Sportage HEV/PHEV and 2025MY EV6 vehicles equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: Remote Start/Climate Control function not working, Vehicle Status on the Kia Access App not updating
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2023–2027, owners most often name: electrical system, engine, vehicle speed control. 140 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
