Complaint volume
183 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
183 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Kia Sportage, grouped by component category.
183 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 29 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 36,565 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
15 Towed
11 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Kia Sportage complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14
ENGINE 11
SERVICE BRAKES 11
AIR BAGS 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 5
POWER TRAIN 5
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4
STRUCTURE 4
183 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | The vehicle was towed to KIA in Mobile AL Engine approximately 25K miles engine had to be replaced manufacturing problem. They did everything to not have to do repairs They said they would but now after I paid they will not pay for my rental promptly they keep making excuses and giving an unreason time frame I will never again buy KIA and I don't think I will ever see that money | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car wouldn’t accelerate, could be problem if turning left into traffic. Trip to Florida, 1000 miles, the Engine accelerated by itself, one time the mph was into the 90’s before I got it under control. This happened 3 times on my drive Florida from Indiana | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I turned on the car and put the car in Reverse and when I let the brake go the car went forward instead of going backward. It does not do this everytime. It just happened once or twice. I believe this is related to another problem I have with the car which is… when I press the start button it sometimes sputters and has a hard time turning on. Lights come on at times. Warning lights come on when the problem is happening but that’s all. I’ve taken the car to Kia and they cannot find the problem since lights and issue is not showing when I go there. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I parked my car. It reversed slowly and hit a wall made of metal net. I started my car, drove a little forward, and parked it again. The car is now parked as normal. I took my car to the dealer and informed them about a brake problem. They verified that it was a brake booster problem. The repair process took 21 days. I am currently attempting to claim the accident, but the Kia company is providing various reasons for potential denial. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and then decelerated. The contact also stated that the back over prevention camera was inoperable and displayed a black screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that she had previously experienced the failure with the vehicle before and the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the dealer replaced the aftermarket floor mat with the original Kia Sportage floor mat. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,800. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,800 |
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I only had the Kia 2 months when a crack formed at the top of the driver’s windshield. Soon after the crack spread across the entire windshield surface area. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | LANE DEPARTURE | driving on the highway in the left lane with driver assist engaged. crashed into car driving in the right lane when the kia driver assist turned off without warning. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | 136,423 |
| Oct 2023 | STEERING | Multiple service repairs to replace failed tie rods on front passenger side, both inner and outer, vehicle mileage ranging from 27000 to 31000. Ultimately yesterday, vehicle was in for another inner tie rod replacement when it was found that steering rack and pinion failed on vehicle at 31000~ miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My Kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at Dunkin Donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was there and police was called. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN | My vehicle has the same problems as the vehicle covered under NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V531000. The memo states 2023 Kia Sportage but Kia says this particular vehicle is not affected. The description listed below is what is happening to my vehicle 2023 Kia Sportage LX Model An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire The oil was hot like it wasn't circulating and the transmission would not change gears the vehicle came to a stop with the dashboard stating the vehicle was shutting down. I guess this is a safety feature to protect the engine. You can reach me at [XXX] for futhure infomation. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving forward into a parking space at a very slow speed and while pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over the stop bump and a curve before crashing into a building wall. During the crash, the contact sustained a head injury which later required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was driven away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | 37,000 |
| Sep 2023 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS | The AWD/4WD is failing in multiple 2023 sportages. I have a 2023 Sportage X-Pro that was purchased 12/30/2022. Current mileage is 7,731. The viscous coupling is faulty/failing in these vehicles. The sensor does come on in the car. The dealer has deemed the car “unsafe to drive”. The vehicle has been at the dealership since 8/29/2023. Currently the car has been dispatched to 4 different Kia master technicians for diagnosis, but no repairs have been done and no additional communication from the dealer service department. I spoke to Kia consumer services and they didn’t care one bit. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While driving my Kia Sportage 2023 w/ just 9000 miles brand new car the entire display screen went black. The car continued at the same speed, but I was unable to see any navigation such us my speed, signaling, etc. I was unable to pull over due to my location in the highway. It was terrifying. Within 10 seconds the screen came back to normal. As of right now KIA is refusing to examine the issue in my car until I provide them with evidence of the problem. Therefore, I need to continue to drive it until I can record it in a video (while driving) and present it to them. My car as of right now is not recalled. Please help address this issue with these models and the lack of responsibility Kia is taking by risking drivers to get on accidents due to this issue. Thank you 1 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Leased NEW Kia Sportage on 1/1/22 Went in for oil change on 11/11/22 3 hrs later told a "forced" update "burned" out the computer and car was not driveable On 11/30/22 was driving to work on LI expressway, car shut down without warning while I was driving, smelled something burning, called 911, car towed to dealer. Told it was defective fuel injector. 1/29/23 I reported brakes grinding and vibration sound coming from engine, RPM's rev up but car doesn't accelerate. Brakes needed to be cut. Was told since there was no "code" nothing could be done about engine sound/rpm increasing. Car was in for service 3 times because of this issue. 9/10/23 car shut down while I was driving without warning and gas smell in car was nauseating. Car would briefly start & shut down. Car towed to dealer. I have reached out to Kia Corporate numerous times expressing I am afraid to drive the car, the car is dangerous and my life and the lives of others at risk. When car shuts down, ther is NO warning, it just STOPS. I have had nightmares and lost sleep. I travel on highways & busy roads everyday. Kia wanted me to sign waiver releasing them of everything in lieu of 3 months lease payments. Expressed my life & lives of others are worth more than 3 payments. Car has had 2 recalls on top of these issues. I have reached out for help and have been ignored. 9/12/23 told by KIA corporate it would take 2 weeks to escalate my complaint. Car is currently at dealership. PLEASE HELP! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash, the second vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. The manufacturer has not yet contacted us. The failure mileage was 450. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 450 |
| Sep 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle suddenly crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, no air bags deployed and the driver sustained minor neck and back injuries which did not require medical treatment. No police report was taken. The vehicle was later driven to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 6,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 6,000 |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Engine Stalling Multiple Times while in Drive. After vehicle stalls, Engine Shuts off, multiple lights start flashing and beeping and Message States- 'Engine Off! Shift to P or N then start engine.' Engine will reengage after following display instructions. This creates a safety risk to driver and others behind driver when error occurs. 2 weeks prior to first failure, Engine light appeared, but was not flashing. Kia informed, but could not schedule for service for 14 days. Dates of Occurrence: 5/17/2023 ( 2 times), 7/28/2023 ( 3 times), 8/23/2023 (1 time) Vehicle with Kia Dealer for repair 5/17 to 5/29, 7/28 to 8/18, and 8/23 to present. No current ETA for repairs. None of the repairs has corrected issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Panoramic sunroof busted while driving down the highway. Wasn’t open. Wasn’t near any other vehicles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle however, the brakes was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle started spinning and landed in a ditch and struck a wooden fence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,887. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 26,887 |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | I was notified that my vehicle has a recall on the brake booster. My inspection was scheduled August 10, 2023 and I was advised that my vehicle was in fact a vehicle that had a defective part. The dealership has advised me that they can not provide a repair date for the recall because of parts being on back order. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. I hear unsafe sounds coming from the brake booster and pressing the brakes already feel different. I have advised the dealership that I do not feel safe and they said that they could not do anything about it. I also contacted Kia Corporation and advised them that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and they said that it was the dealership's responsibility to ensure that I have safe transportation. No one is taking responsibility and I am not feeling safe driving said vehicle. Someone needs to take accountability. I just purchased this vehicle brand new and have no other way to get to and from. Someone needs to contact me immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |