What Kia Sportage owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Kia Sportage 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 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 71 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 18 |
| 2024 | 103 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 53 |
| 2023 | 305 | 28 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 68 |
| 2022 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| 2021 | 53 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 68 |
| 2020 | 161 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 93 |
| 2019 | 70 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 82 |
| 2018 | 164 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 133 |
| 2017 | 401 | 14 | 27 | 19 | 0 | 191 |
| 2016 | 131 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 127 |
| 2015 | 146 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 153 |
| 2014 | 123 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 181 |
| 2013 | 381 | 5 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 167 |
| 2012 | 392 | 7 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 177 |
| 2011 | 181 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 172 |
| 2010 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 24 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Kia Sportage complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I am writing to formally report a severe and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid. On September 28, 2026 around 8 am, I experienced a terrifying Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while operating the vehicle. I was completely stopped at an intersection, waiting to make a left turn. The vehicle was stationary with the AUTO HOLD function engaged. When it was time to proceed, I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal to begin moving. Instead of accelerating normally, the vehicle dangerously surged and accelerated on its own. I immediately removed my foot from the accelerator pedal and attempted to stop the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the brake pedal…
The rear cargo window spontaneously shattered while car was parked. The car was taken for repair to Auto Glass Systems in Springfield Illinois. They do all the repairs for the Kia dealership locally. Upon inspection, they reported that the glass had no point of impact and was caused by an internal defect which was confirmed by the shatter pattern. They said they have had numerous repairs for the same spontaneous, shattering in Kia Sportage windows and suggested that we file a report.
I own a 2017 Kia Sportage EX with the factory Snow White Pearl paint finish. The vehicle has been well maintained and has not been involved in an accident or collision. The factory paint on the trunk is peeling and delaminating from the vehicle. The white paint is separating completely from the surface, exposing the silver/gray layer underneath. The condition appears to be a failure of the factory paint/coating system rather than damage caused by an accident, collision, or external impact. I contacted Kia Customer Care to report the issue. I was initially told that this was the first time they had heard of this type of problem. Kia required me to open a case and have the vehicle inspected.…
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 …
My 2021 Kia Sportage is in Limp Mode at 2,000 RPM, and my mechanic confirmed it has the P1326 Knock Sensor code stored. Vin [XXX]. I need to see if my car can be added to the list of vehicles regarding the product improvement campaign PI2002A. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 …
While traveling approximately 45 mph on a paved road, there was a sudden loud bang and the vehicle abruptly went to the right and left the roadway. A person who stopped at the accident scene also stated that he heard the bang. The vehicle entered the ditch and rolled multiple times. After the accident, I observed that the left rear wheel had an extreme abnormal camber angle, with the top of the wheel tilted substantially outward. Photographs taken after the accident also show significant corrosion of rear suspension components. The right rear wheel did not have the same extreme appearance. I do not know whether a rear suspension component or mounting point failed before the vehicle left th…
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: ON-BOARD CHARGER INSPECTION AND REPLACMENT (SA644) - This bulletin provides information related to charging system diagnosis and repair on certain Sportage (NQ5 PHEV) vehicles produced from December 13, 2022 through May 30, 2023. The affected vehicles may experience interrupted or inoperative highâvoltage battery charging due to an onâboard charger (OBC) internal malfunction. As a result, charging of the high-voltage battery may be interrupted or unavailable, with several diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored related to the OBC unit. If this occurs, the vehicl
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - 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 install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Softw
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - 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 install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic u
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 OPERATIONS: PITSTOP: ENGINE BAY/DASHBOARD RATTLE NOISE (PS811) - This Pitstop provides information related to an intermittent rattle or tapping noise heard from the engine bay or dashboard area while driving on 2026MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles. The fuel feed and vapor tube bracket (A) may rattle/tap against the brake booster (B) while driving.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT & BURNISHING - 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 the procedure to replace the front brake discs on certain 2021-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from July 26, 2021 through March 28, 2024 and 2023-2024MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 7, 2022 through May 20, 2024 to address a customerâs complaint of brake judder. The affected vehicles may exhibit a vibrating and/or pulsing s
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine fail
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA?s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia
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 2010–2027, owners most often name: engine, unknown or other, electrical system. 2,786 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.
