2023 Kia SPORTAGE HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 97 complaints (36.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 19.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 18.6% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 35 |
| Engine | 26 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 3 |
Electrical System: 35; Engine: 26; Vehicle Speed Control: 23; Power Train: 18; Unknown Or Other: 18; Service Brakes: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 89 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2022: 3; 2023: 25; 2024: 26; 2025: 25; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11482537 · 2022-09-02 (September 2, 2022)
The vehicle flashed and alarmed a brake system warning while traveling on a freeway. Braking was soft. Took a longer than usual amount of time to stop the vehicle at that point.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504604 · 2023-01-31 (January 31, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and pressing the brake pedal to reduce speed the pedal extended to the floor and the warning "check brakes" displayed. The vehicle was immediately taken to the dealer who performed an unknown service to the braking system. The vehicle was retrieved but later experience the same failure. The was taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 320.
Owner-reported narrative. 320 miles reported. Look up ODI 11504604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537262 · 2023-08-08 (August 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check braking system message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The contact was informed that the battery was not fully charged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 1,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11537262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11549697 · 2023-10-12 (October 12, 2023)
ISSUE WITH KIA SPORTAGE 2023 HYBRID (GAS AND ELECTRIC) Battery shut off. The battery turned off. I was driving on the fwy and the car started to drive rough so I exited off the fwy and barely made it over the intersection and the car shut off. (as the car was shutting off I opened my door) all other doors were locked and could not open. (had I not opened my car door I would have been locked in/out of my car) The emergency lights would not turn on. None of the electrical buttons work. I called a tow truck to come get me 20+ min in Arizona is a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495730 · 2022-12-02 (December 2, 2022)
When starting car from behind stopped, the car would not speed up when pressing gas pedal and felt like stalling, but slamming on gas pedal jolted car to speed up again. If there were cars around, this could have been very dangerous. Car is in the shop now for mechanics to determine exact cause.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11623133 · 2024-11-01 (November 1, 2024)
Often hesitates when accelerating. Stalls from stopped position. LCD Screen changes by itself. Drops calls. Turns off if you make volume adjustment. Most recently, filled gas tank with full tank, just over 13 gallons. Gauge read only 1/2 tank and showed I had only 289 miles rather than normal 520 miles or so. That number kept changing throughout the next couple of days. ATTACHMENTS: show gas receipt at gas station that tank is filled. Gauge shows 1/2 tank. See subsequent photos. Safety issue for sure. This car cannot be trusted. Multiple pro…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11623133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11517672 · 2023-04-18 (April 18, 2023)
On March 1, 2023, approximately 5 days after purchasing the vehicle, when turning the vehicle on at approximately 8:00 pm, the screen stated that "A possible condition with your Hybrid Control Unit/Low DC-DC Converter has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment." An appointment was scheduled from the screen. The car was then driven on the freeway. Several minutes later, all systems on the vehicle died. The vehicle lost all engine power, power steering, p…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11517672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528885 · 2023-06-26 (June 26, 2023)
As I was driving my 2023 KIA Sportage SX Prestige at 70+mph on highwy, suddenly "Hybrid System Failure" appeared on the dash along with evey other lights you can think of. I lost power and steering and only by the grace of God was able to safely get to the side of the road and stop. Car was at KIA dealership for 4 weeks and I was told it only needed a software upgrade and nothing was wrong with the car!! This is very dangerous and could get someone in major car accident
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566056 · 2024-01-17 (January 17, 2024)
On June 9, 2023, the owner purchased a brand-new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid from Quirk Kia Braintree. Over the next six months, the owner regularly drove the car between work and home, accumulating approximately 4,500 miles. However, in early January 1st 2024, the owner noticed that the check engine light had illuminated, although there were no other noticeable issues with the vehicle at that time. In response to the warning light, the owner ceased using the car and promptly scheduled an appointment with Quirk Kia for a diagnosis. When the owner…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11748310 · 2026-07-04 (July 4, 2026)
The car's transmission became unresponsive and caused the car to lose the ability to accelerate. This happened twice on the highway before I could get it to the dealer. In order to recover, I had to pull over on the shoulder and turn the car off, wait, and turn it back on. The dealer, through the Kia warranty service, would only 'recalibrate' the transmission and refused to service it. After the recalibration, the dealership wanted to give me back the car. I insisted that they took it for an extended test drive in which it stalled for them as w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11748310 at NHTSA ↗