2023 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
187 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
26,887 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 187 complaints (25.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 46 | 24.6% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 47 |
| Electrical System | 43 |
| Engine | 37 |
| Service Brakes | 30 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 18 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
Unknown Or Other: 47; Electrical System: 43; Engine: 37; Service Brakes: 30; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 18; Power Train: 17; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 158 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 | 14 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 36 |
2022: 14; 2023: 62; 2024: 38; 2025: 37; 2026: 36
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 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 11521529 · 2023-05-11 (May 11, 2023)
A few months after I got the car all of the warning lights randomly came on and I had to turn jt off and on and they went away. Since then around Nov 22 it has happened about 25 times or more and is happening more frequently lately. I called kia and they said they hadn't heard anything yet bc of it being so new. Also the brake assist for Collison is VERY dangerous. You can be a car length and more away and it will take the brake out from my foot and slam on the brakes and about throw me through the windshield with my seat belt on. This has hap…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11524440 · 2023-05-30 (May 30, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system engaged erroneously with an audible warning chime. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a review was conducted; however, the manufacturer had not provided any assistance. Recently, the contact stated that vehicle had started to wobble while driving 75 MPH, without warning. The …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11524440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11491449 · 2022-10-29 (October 29, 2022)
For the two months I have had my car I have had problems with indicators going off on my dashboard warning to check various parts of the driver’s assistance system. I took it to the dealership three times and was told they cannot help because when they had the car for three days they didn’t have any problems and unless they get a code there wasn’t anything they could do. However, recently when it happened again I used the Kia Connect App on the dashboard to select the vehicle diagnostic, and it indicated there was a problem with the integrate…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501842 · 2023-01-15 (January 15, 2023)
While driving on the engine turned off without warning The car stalled in the middle of traffic.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500376 · 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)
The battery dead without unannounced. I turn the vehicle off and later did not turn it on. I was on a cold night. The vehicle was stopped and turned off when I tried to turn it on again; did not turn it on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526134 · 2023-06-08 (June 8, 2023)
My vehicle intermittently starts with the blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic warning (and rearview camera), defoggers, and AC/heat not functioning. When this happens, the temperature control knobs are hardly visible and the car will flash “Battery Discharge Warning” on the display screen for several seconds. An error code also appears in the Kia App when this issue happens. The error code immediately goes to history error codes so the dealership service center has not yet spent time to investigate the issue. The …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511112 · 2023-03-09 (March 9, 2023)
The car is currently in the shop at Jim Shorkey Gainesville Kia and is available for inspection. They have contacted me to tell me the transmission/engine failed. I was driving on interstate when I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and was forced to get off of the highway. After coming to a complete stop I pressed on the gas pedal but the car would still not accelerate. I tried putting into park and back into drive and that did not work. I tried putting it into manual mode and it did go forward but every gear change was loud, jerky, and …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533908 · 2023-07-23 (July 23, 2023)
7/17/23 Vehicle starting lunging erratically down a busy highway while driving. Called dealership to make appointment. The car was taken in on 7/19/23. Dealership reports the transmission blew and metal shards in the fluids. Tech expressed concern it was able to drive and lunge down road given the situation. No warning lights or indicators went off. The car is currently at the dealership awaiting a new transmission. Vehicle was purchased November 2022, brand new.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11517274 · 2023-04-16 (April 16, 2023)
Highway driving assistant will bias vehicle to the right side even when passing on left on multi lane freeway. Creates a close encounter with vehicles in right lane as there is no distance between mirrors and results in side collision with no alert. Lane keep will erratically pull the steering wheel from your hands when lines on right or left disappear e.g. ramps on freeways. Can result in a crash or collision and us very easy to notice. No results back from Kia or concerns to fix. Returned car saying no issues.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11517274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11531522 · 2023-07-11 (July 11, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving, the Forward Collision Avoidance Safety System Disabled message was displayed. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking and there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed…
Owner-reported narrative. 13 miles reported. Look up ODI 11531522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508872 · 2023-02-24 (February 24, 2023)
Vehicle first felt like the tire was flat when turning. After parking and restarting the vehicle the vehicle seemed to hesitate to stay started. The check engine light came on the next day. After taking the vehicle in they said the injector was bad. Replacing it did not fix the problem. I am not waiting on approval to replace the engine at 20,000 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544171 · 2023-09-12 (September 12, 2023)
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 don…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544171 at NHTSA ↗