2013 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls

WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ONCE OR TWICE EVERY COUPLE WEEKS) AND WITHOUT AN OBVIOUS PATTERN, THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SMELL ON THE DAYS WE'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. ON THE 3RD REPAIR VISIT (30JAN2013), THE TECHNICIAN WAS "UNABLE TO VERIFY SMELL, BUT IN…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499483 at NHTSA ↗

MY KIA SPORTAGE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY EMPLOYER HERE IN EVERETT, WA. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY, ONLY AROUND 78 DEGREES. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY SPORTAGE AROUND 3:30 PM I NOTICED THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT LOOKED LIKE AN EXPLOSION HAPPENED. NOTHING FELL ON THE GLASS, NO VANDALISM. I HAD THE CLOTH INTERNAL LINER CLOSED AND THAT SAVED THE INTERIOR FROM MILLIONS OF PIECES OF GLASS. THIS SUNROOF (OR PANORAMIC GLASS PANEL) EXPLODED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING CONTACTING IT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THI…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532797 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STUCK THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE SUNROOF GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE SUNROOF AREA WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THE REPAIR PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MA…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575207 at NHTSA ↗

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH RUNNING BOARD THAT ARE "FLUSH" WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS. ANY TIME THERE IS SNOW OR ICE, WHILE DRIVING THE SNOW AND ICE WILL BUILD-UP ON THE RUNNING BOARDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS. IF A QUICK EXIT WERE REQUIRED IN POOR WEATHER OR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THE DEFECT WITH PHOTOS AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AUTO MAKER REPEATEDLY, AND ALWAYS RECEIVE THE SAME MESSAGE, "WE ARE CONTACTING OUR FIELD TECHNICAL ENGINEER." HOWEVER, WE N…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585830 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER AROUND 13/14K MILES, THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE EXTREME NOISES LIKE VERY LOUD SANDPAPER AGAINST METAL WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR RAN A LITTLE BIT, THEY WOULD STOP BUT THEN IT PROGRESSED TO A CONSTANT EMBARASSING NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK THREE TIMES IN WHICH THEY EITHER CLEANED OR SPRAYED THE ROTORS. THIS LAST VISIT THEY HAVE EVEN PUT A GRAPHITE BASE ON THEM. TWO WEEKS SINCE THEY DID THAT APPLICATION, HERE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY TELL ME THE BRAKES ARE STILL GOOD. THEY WANTED TO GIVE ME A GOODWI…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587061 at NHTSA ↗

KIA SPORTAGE 2013 PLATE. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON APPROACH TO JUNCTION DESPITE PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL. RESULTED IN CRASH AND INJURIES SUSTAINED. MALFUNCTION OF ABILITY TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKE IN ADDITION, ON ONE OCCASION. CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. HAVE INFORMED MANUFACTURER. AWAITING INVESTIGATION OUTCOME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10645000 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN YOU CLIMB HILLS LIKE THE ONE ON INTERSTATE 20 OR A SMALL INCLINE IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE CAR WANT GO THE GAS IS MASHED TO THE FLOOR AND INSTEAD OF THE CAR SPEEDING UP IT SLOWS DOWN. DOING 80 I-20 START UP HILL SLOWS DOWN TO BELOW 60MPH. WHEN YOU TO START OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY OR FROM A STOP SIGN YOU JUST BARLEY MASH THE GAS THE CAR TAKES OFF LIKES ITS GOING TO THE FIRE. DRIVE THE CAR 2 1/2 MILES AND IT WILL USE 3/4 TANK OF GAS. BRAKES GRAB WHEN ROADS ARE NOT WET THEY ARE DRY AS THE DESERT. 01-28-2015 JT'S KIA, THE PLACE WE BO…

Owner-reported narrative. 16,928 miles reported. Look up ODI 10679564 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING 50MPH ON A WINDY DAY. A SEMI PASSED US AND THE AIR PRESSURE IMPLODED THE FRONT SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OTHER THAN SHATTERED GLASS IN THE INTERIOR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 21,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10690025 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.