Complaint volume
178 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2023 Kia Sportage Complaints
178 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Kia Sportage, grouped by component category.
178 Total complaints
24 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
13 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are unknown or other, electrical system, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 24 crash reports, 1 fire report, 13 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 27 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 33,048 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, electrical system, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2023 Kia Sportage?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2023 Kia Sportage
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2023 Kia Sportage complaints?
24 Crash
1 Fire
13 Injury
0 Fatality
14 Towed
11 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Kia Sportage complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14
ENGINE 10
SERVICE BRAKES 10
AIR BAGS 7
POWER TRAIN 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 4
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4
STRUCTURE 4
178 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | There were two incidents where the engine sounded sluggish and was difficult to start over the past two weeks (7/22/24 & 7/30/24). After speaking with Kia Service Rep three days ago, an appointment was made to check the battery. On yesterday and today (8/1/24), the engine would not start at all or even make a sound although the air conditioner and radio would work. I had to get the vehicle jumped off to drive it to the service department. After the Service Rep checked the battery, they couldn’t find anything wrong and stated the battery was o.k. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | I RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR ABOUT BRAKE BOOSTER . KIA HAD A RECALL ON THIS I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS A RECALL. I'M WONDERING WILL KIA STILL VALUE THE RECALL. I WILL BE GETTING MY CAR SERVIE AND INSPECTED ON 8-13. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I took the car to the dealership on 3/22/2024 for the recall and the car is good no repairs was needed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | I feel shaking when I apply the brakes. I took it to Vision Kia in Canandaigua, NY, where I purchased it brand new, and they said the rotors are warped because of braking and heating up. They said that they are not under warranty. My car has 16,000 miles on it, the brakes should not be bad already. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | The brakes become extremely stiff, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Once the vehicle is running, the brakes leak air when pressed, and stopping distance has been noticeably increased. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | 2023 Kia Sportage misfires, engine will stall and shut off. Afterwards, I am unable to start the car. It has happened three times. (11/23/24, 3/05/24 and 5/05/24). Each time the dealership blamed poor fuel quality (three different gas stations). Not covered under warranty. First incident almost $8,000 in repair cost. Second incident $1,300 in repair cost. Third incident the dealership took responsibility. I had been without my car for a total of 6 months or more. Each time the vehicle is repaired within 13/14 days it happened again. I just got my car back (third time) about a week ago. I am uncomfortable driving it, because I fear it will misfire and shut off again while I am driving and the dealership will say it’s poor fuel quality. Vehicle has 28,900 miles on it. I’ve had it for over 2 years. The contact stated it began to misfire, again! This is the 4th time in about 7 months and each time the dealership repairs it, it happens again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Rotors are warping on car. Started after 5k miles and progressively got worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | Purchased a brand new 2023 Kia Sportage and at 10,000 miles my brakes felt like they were worn out, the car had a wobbling to it and a grinding sound. Took it into the dealer and they told me my brakes and rotors are worn out. They wanted $900.00. I complained to the manager and he said they would do it as a courtesy. Now again at 20,000 I am having the same issue. Again took it back and they told me they need to talk to me about my braking habits! Also they said they will do it again as a courtesy, which I am extremely grateful! But I do not want to change out my brakes and rotor every 10,000 Miles... We have purchased 3 brand new Kia for my family in the last year as we love them. But I am not feeling so safe driving my Sportage right now. I have had many cars [XXX] and never once had to replace brakes and rotors every 10,000 miles! 20,000 , 30,000 or even 50,000 Miles..The braking system is not correct and it has a wobble to it. I have read many complaints on line about the same issue. It needs to be looked into. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | SUSPENSION | Excessive body roll causes instability and loss of control. While driving on the interstate at normal speeds, driving over bumps such as bridge joints cause instability. Dealer investigated concern but stated this is normal on all sportage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While my niece was driving the vehicle, the sunroof shattered. No rock or other debris hit the sunroof. It simply shattered | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | On 05/13/24, the infotainment screen blanked out and the brake lights warning indicator appeared twice on the instrument panel while driving. This happened on two separate occasions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Assist, seat belt, and several other warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that he was unable to start the vehicle and had contacted the manufacturer who advised the contact to have the vehicle towed to another dealer. The contact stated that he recharged the battery prior to the vehicle being towed and the tow truck driver was able to start the vehicle. The second dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a onetime failure and had not reoccurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,414. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,414 |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | On May 4, 2024, a message appeared on the screen “Contacts Download Unsuccessful” while trying to make a call. The Bluetooth would not connect and I wasn’t able to make hands free calls. On May 5, 2024, the screen blanked out for several minutes while driving. This isn’t the first time this has happened. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | After driving my normal route, I stopped at a red light, before light went green, the car shut off. No lights on the dash, completely blank. The car was in drive, and foot was on the brake. There was no brake lights, flashers would not operator, the horn did not work and I could not move the car. The car was dead. After a few minutes stranded the car decided to start again. This has happened no less than 6x since I have owned this vehicle in similar situations. I have taken it to the Kia dealership where I purchased it and it has been inspected and kept for days multiple times with the result always being "nothing is wrong" | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I had my vehicle take to Coughlin Kia in Dublin Ohio on [XXX] and got my vehicle back on [XXX]. The service center at Coughlin claimed I had bad gas, they took it upon themselves to approve services I did not approve of. When I got my vehicle back on [XXX] I found wires under my hood and caps left under my hood as well. Then on 4/26/24 my vehicle started having problems, my vehicle would have the RPMS jumping from 500 to 1,000 while sitting in park and driving. Not once did I ever mess with my vehicle under the hood. I notice this problem getting worse as the days went on. On 4/23 my vehicle wasn't getting any better, the engine was shaking while sitting in park and it was shaking the whole car. On [XXX] on my way back from a lunch break my car stalled out and stopped in the middle of traffic. I called Great Lakes dealership in Columbus Ohio, and have my vehicle taken there. My vehicle declined in speed while moving on a high speed highway. Putting my safety and my families safety at risk. Kia won't own up to any mistakes, they claim this as bad fuel and I have been putting high octane gas in my vehicle. I do believe my vehicle was messed with by someone at the Coughlin Dealership and now I'm facing safety issues I can't drive my vehicle because its unsafe and my vehicle has only 23,600 miles on it. I'm highly disappointed I reached out to the director of operations Michele Cameron and she refuses to respond back to me and return my phone calls. I can't get anyone from Kia Corporation to respond back to me. I was told by Kia Connect that they wouldn't provide me a tow truck last night when my vehicle was on the side of a busy highway. I have warranty on my vehicle and I get free tows and was told they couldn't provide one. No safety vehicle would sit with us on the highway to make sure we were safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Moonroof exploded while I was driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Engine failure problem. Also, windshield just cracked for no reason and continously spreading | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had an incident happen in September 2023. As usual, I parked my car in Reverse (R), and after that, I shifted it into Park (P). Then, I released the brake, and the car unexpectedly reversed, resulting in an incident where my bumper got dented. Later, I found out that others had experienced the same problem. I'm confused whether it was due to the brake or shifting into Park. They told me there is a brake booster problem as well. However, I'm puzzled as to how it happened since there's been a recall for other models in the same family group as my KIA. Since that day, I've been following up with KIA, but they are asking for a police report and insurance information. I'm still driving the car in the same condition until they repair it, and they have only replaced the brake booster. This incident marks the second time my brake booster has needed repair. Thanks. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The front windshield glass is very brittle compared to any other vehicle glass. This allows for frequent chips and cracks that are very costly to repair/replace. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | fallaron los frenos | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Experience vibration/pulsation when braking creating poor braking ability, increased braking distance,potential loss of control. Dealer replaced original front rotors and brake pads at approximately 12000 miles. Now at 23000, the condition exists again. I believe there is a material or design issue causing premature brake wear and pulsation causing an unsafe condition. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | God Morning For the past several months my computer screen flickers back and forth while driving. cuts off then on off then on. We have tried to get the dealership to see the problem but while with them it doesnt happen until afterwards. Need some help before we take the next steps with Kia | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The front passenger window will periodically fail to operate. We took the Sportage to the dealership for repairs and they attempted to fix the problem, but failed. They tried to reproduce the problem on other 2023 Kia Sportages in the lot and duplicated the problem on them. Apparently, Kia Corporate has not addressed this issue, or has failed to find a solution with an accompanying recall. These are safety and property damageable risks. When the window is down and unable to go back up into a closed position, anyone could easily gain entry to vandalize or assault the occupants. Likewise, failures in raising the window will lead to property damage in rainy or snowy conditions. Our Kia dealership is returning the Sportage back to us at this point because they can not figure out a solution and they don't have any more alternatives to pursue at this time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission slips or hesitates when going from a stop to first gear. When turning left across oncoming traffic it is dangerous. The dealership looked at it and said that they couldn't get it to slip after having it for two days. No codes were thrown and no lights on the dashboard. Only slips occasionally like once a week. Always from a dead stop before going into first gear. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle speed control failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. Pushing down on the accelerator would continue to increase RPMs, but instead the car would coast. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This malfunction made it impossible to reach highway speeds, which meant I was traveling 20-25 MPH slower than the rest of traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem persisted for the entire driving session; however, after turning off the car and turning it back on, the problem has not reproduced. A passenger recorded a video of the issue occurring, and the dealer reviewed the video and confirmed that it is definitely a safety hazard, but since the issue was not reproducible, they stated they could not take any action based on Kia's service policies. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by a Kia dealer, but not by any other parties. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Before this problem occurred, the engine Auto-Stop icon appeared amber - which means engine Auto-Stop vehicle conditions were not met so the engine wouldn't automatically shut off at stoplights. This is the only time I've observed this icon appear amber instead of white. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |