2023 Kia SPORTAGE PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls

the rear collision avoidance can not be disabled permanently. This becomes an issue when backing up while towing, or with a bike rack equipped, as the vehicle will slam on the brakes every time the driver reverses, impairing the driver's ability to quickly maneuver the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527895 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel reading is inaccurate. Range miles drop drastically while traveling. Vehicle says it’s is out of fuels when there is more than a half a tax. Fuel range miles go from 313 miles while vehicle is off to 417 without refueling. Then drop about 40 range mile during a short 5 or less mile commute. This is all happening while vehicle is traveling is electric mode. Multiple times the vehicles dash display said I was out of gas, but when I went to refuel, there’s more than a half a tank. From doing a little online research seems like this is not a i…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538190 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being charged, the battery failed to fully charge. The contact stated that the vehicle was only able to drive for 29 miles after being charged. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to make a left turn or while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the contact was concerned for his and other’s safety while on the roads. No warning…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11544778 at NHTSA ↗

It happened after the 1st oil change from Kia dealership, the car itself is PHEV so while driving on electric there is no smell on it but right after switching over to engine gasoline HEV only. the interior & exterior smell with heavily burned gasoline. the smell has been complained by my wife and parents. Specially I have a 11 months old baby. not sure what will cause in the future but it makes them dizziness from the gasoline burning from engine to the inside of cabinet. my entire garage now smells with the burned gasoline and its very hard t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11569409 at NHTSA ↗

I was driving to work recently on a smooth road. I was not near overpasses or other surroundings that would cause debris. Suddenly out of nowhere my glass sunroof spontaneously shattered, sounding like a gunshot went off. The dealer said this was from a rock but there is no way this could have occurred given the circumstance I was in or the position of the “point of impact” they believe caused the shatter. Both the dealer and Kia Corporate have denied my claim to cover the cost of their faulty part. Given the many other reports of people going …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11577257 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle independently lurched forward while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure continued intermittently, and the contact stated that while driving 27 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact immediately merged into the open right lane to avoid striking another vehicle and shifted the vehicle into park(P). The contact stated that the check brake system message, an orange warning symbol, and the eme…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11579486 at NHTSA ↗

At approximately 5:05pm today (6/4) as I was leaving a parking lot, I was reversing into the parking lot. The van directly opposite me also had their reverse lights on but was not moving. It was one of those whos-going-to-go-first situations. I had proximity warnings going off because of the cars parked around me and I started to reverse when I realized the van was waiting for me, and as I pulled back about 3 feet, the car auto braked. I looked around to make sure the car had not detected anything I hadn't seen, like a pedestrian or another car…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11592513 at NHTSA ↗

See attached document for complaint

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11610130 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2023-04-26 (April 26, 2023)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.