2025 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
17,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 50 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 18.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 20; Electrical System: 15; Engine: 6; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 44 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 23 |
2025: 27; 2026: 23
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 11645091 · 2025-02-26 (February 26, 2025)
Statement for NHTSA Complaint: I am filing this complaint regarding a 2025 Kia Sportage EX (VIN: [XXX] ) that I purchased, which was sold to me with a defective brake booster. This defect resulted in a complete brake failure, putting my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. When the issue occurred, I lost braking power, which could have led to a severe accident. After bringing the vehicle in for repair, it was confirmed that the brake booster was faulty. Kia of America has only offered to reimburse me for my $1,000 insurance deduct…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11670587 · 2025-07-01 (July 1, 2025)
was driving at 40mph and vehicle turned off engine. Auto start stop was beeping and flashing. steering and braking was hindered (was manual) for a few seconds until the auto start stop turned the engine on again. Had car to dealer with other issues (dash resets) and they couldn't duplicate the issue and stated there was nothing they could do
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11670587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11670589 · 2025-07-01 (July 1, 2025)
Started vehicle and was driving, ISG (auto start stop) light went amber and transmission refused to shift to allow uphill travel. Had to pull over and turn engine off and on again for the transmission to start working. Have had to dealer, however yet again they cannot replicate in their test drive so they can't do anything about it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11670589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11675424 · 2025-07-22 (July 22, 2025)
The fail that the Kia sportage 2025 had is that every time when accelerating the car would bounce back in a violent way. Safety was at risk on busy roads since car was not able to accelerate and instead bounced back making it more dangerous for the car behind. No problem has been confirmed. The car has not been inspected yet. The car seemed as normal without check engine lights or any manual transmission gear activated. Car was on drive and there was no alert or fail shown on screens
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11675424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11652796 · 2025-04-04 (April 4, 2025)
car is 119 miles. I was driving and steering wheel stopped working out of nowhere.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11652796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11687267 · 2025-09-15 (September 15, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted gears, causing a slight jerk before accelerating. The instrument panel frequently displayed codes advising the driver to "Turn Off the Engine." While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The instrument panel displayed a message advising the contact to "Check Your Surroundings". When the contact attempted to depress the accelerator, the vehicle failed to respond. Upon releasing the a…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11687267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11742525 · 2026-06-07 (June 7, 2026)
The cluster system of the vehicle lit up every warning system which prevented the running vehicle from being able to be put into drive. Safety was put at risk because I'm afraid this will happen while driving. I've seen this same concern on many Kia owner forums who describe the same issue possibly related to a faulty wiring harness. I had just purchased this vehicle that has 15,000 miles and there were no other symptoms up until this issue occurred. I had the code read and it was a generic U0001 CAM error (Controller Area Module). Kia …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11742525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729096 · 2026-04-03 (April 3, 2026)
Oil was being diluted by fuel seeping in from the injectors and the high pressure fuel pump. Vehicle was brought in twice to fix the problem. During the 24-27 Feb 26 repair the high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed and replaced. On 16 Mar 26 I noticed the oil level had risen on the dip stick (after driving ~300 miles) about 5 mm and brought the car back to the Kia dealer for diagnosis and repair. The high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed again as bad and replaced as were all four fuel injectors after they were also determined to be leaki…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729096 at NHTSA ↗