2013 Kia Sportage: check engine light

Filed Oct 11, 2025 · Engine · GA

While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the freeway, we would have been stranded in the fastest lane with no shoulder and with traffic approaching from the rear at 70mph. Thus we likely avoided catastrophe. There was no warning light. The problems was later determined to be caused by a manufacturer defect resulting in a connecting rod bearing failure. Pursuant to a class action settlement the engine was replaced. I'm writing to let others know that this is a potentially life-threatening danger and that the knock sensor recall does not adequately address this. Also, the dealer mischaracterized the symptoms on the engine warranty invoice, misstating the narrative above, wrongly stating "customer states CEL started flashing when driving after light appeared vehicle would not accelerate properly or start." This quote is untrue. There was no warning, and the car stalled.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal ticking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and the vehicle became undrivable. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Engine · 182,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his son was driving 45 MPH, he observed a loud noise coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that code: P1326 (KSDS – Possible bearing wear) was retrieved using a handheld diagnostic machine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Engine · IL

On December 13, 2023, at 7:30am I noticed that the check engine light was on in my vehicle. I recently received an Important Safety Recall letter notice on November 14, 2023, regarding a defect with the safety of kia motor vehicles that were manufactured between 2011-2013, in which the defect can result in an engine compartment fire. I currently have a 2013 Kia Sportage so once I saw the check engine light, I was concerned due to the notice I received. I decided to take my vehicle to my nearest kia dealership per the WARNING that states that if you experience illumination of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) take the vehicle to the nearest dealership as soon as possible. I took my vehicle to the 7050 Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 location. I informed Rep that my check engine light was turned on. The Rep then stated that diagnostic testing can be done on the vehicle, but it would be $175.00. I stated to the Rep “NO”, I then informed rep that I have a Recall on my vehicle regarding the engine and I have a warranty due to the defect on the engine. I was then informed that I do have a warranty and that I would be good to go in which the car was covered. After it was confirmed that there was a Safety Recall and Warranty along with a statement from the Rep confirming that everything would be taken care of. I provided rep the keys to my vehicle around 8:00am and was informed that the mechanic would have to keep my car overnight to sufficiently diagnose the problem. I later talked to the service manager that stated the previous rep was out and it would cost $655 for the vehicle to be fixed. I informed him that I have a warranty that should cover the cost. I was later informed that the part is not covered under the warranty. I informed him that I do not want the service and he then stated that I would have to pay for the diagnostic testing for the car in the amount of $155.00. I was then told I would have to wait another day until the worker came in. I had to pay $100

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · 55,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine · 113,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle lost significant motive power, and he heard an abnormal knock emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rod bearings. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2023 · Engine · ID

Was driving on the interstate at approximately 80 MPH went to slow down for a slow car in the fast lane and lost power in the middle of traffic. Check engine light began flashing. Upon a check of the check engine code it gave a known recall with a number of kias in this model and year range covered with lifetime engine replacement. Error code P-1326 glow relay stuck on. Considering my fuel combustion engine does not have a glow relay this should fall under the already known covered issues and be extended to my vehicle

Filed Jan 13, 2023 · Engine · IL · fire

At first i heard a knocking noise as if something fell from under the hood then my car stopped accelerating then the engine light went off oil light as well. Mind you I'm in the car with my 9 month old baby in the middle of the highway i stop my car where it was smoking i lifted my hood and there was a fire i had to put out because if i didn't my car would have blew up then the car never turned back on other then the urgency of my situation i dropped my car off to a kia dealership completely rude and unsympathetic and still haven't heard a word back about my car or even trying to get me into a rental worse experience of my life I almost die and kia fails to act like they give a damn.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Engine · 143,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Engine · OH

I was driving down a back country road where the speed limit was 50mph. The truck in front of me kept stopping so I went around him and he tried to cut me off so I had to step on it to get in front of him and my check engine, battery, and oil lights all popped on at the same time. My car then stopped accelerating so I had to coast to a stop and pull over and turned my car off. My car wouldn’t start back up I had to pay almost $200 to tow my car home to have someone look at it and tell me that an engine bearing went out and I would need a new engine.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WI

I was on the freeway going 55mph when my engine seized (engine light, oil light, and battery light went on) and I was no longer able to accelerate. I had just switched lanes in front of a semi when my acceleration stopped. It was a blessing there was an off ramp by the lane, otherwise the semi would have had to slam on their breaks since my car went from 55mph to nothing in a matter of seconds. No previous warning lights occurred before this incident. Luckily, I was able to coast off the freeway and park. When I restarted my vehicle, the lights went off and I was able to get my car home safely going very slow. The engine know knocks and KIA will not give us answers on coverage.