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.
2013 Kia Sportage: engine stalls while driving
67 of the 381 complaints about the 2013 Kia Sportage describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 67
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical repair cost reported
- $7,000
- typical mileage
- 106,230
- recalls
- 2
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
My wife was driving and went around a semi and all ofthe sudden the engine stalled and she almost got hit by thesemi she had just passed. Next day towed it to kia and the said the engine had seized up but thatthe enginewas not warrenty because it had not thrown a knock senseor code. We have mainained this vehicle and gotten the update for the knock sensor and were about to give it to our son and get ourselves another kia. Dont think thats going to happen now thati know kia does not stand behinde their product or care about their customers.
The car totally shut down while driving. The motor has ceased up.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with an electrical short circuit to the battery and starter. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor near the engine compartment. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,864.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 100 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the front of the vehicle, with white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, a huge hole was discovered under the engine which caused all the engine oil to leak out of the engine. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.
I was stopped at a red light, once the light turned green I was accelerating when I lost power and the engine stalled, pumping the gas did nothing. I was able to coast to the side of the road but my car never did start back. There is only 125278 miles on the car and I have only had it 2 months.
The contact's sister owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while she was driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a jolt to the vehicle with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact’s sister stated that the brakes worked as needed; however, the power steering assist failed, and extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle off the highway. The contact’s sister stated that soon after stopping, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The mechanic related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
My engine started making a tik-tik noise in June of 2022. I drive very little as I work from home, took it to get an oil change and for a service check, was advised nothing was wrong that they could identify on the vehicle. Ticking continued, Kia advised they were over a month out for service call appointments, got on the list and had my oil changed again after only 300 miles. Ticking noise got louder while waiting on service call appointment, then as I was driving home on a back road (thankfully), there was a loud banging noise from under my hood, spluttering, some whining noises, my instrument panel lit up with all engine-related lights, and the car shut off while driving. I lost power steering and brakes, and had to coast into a neighborhood and down a hill to safely move my car out of traffic's way. I had my 7 year old with me in the vehicle and have since had it towed to Kia, and was advised there was a 'voluntary maintenence' KSDS sensor I was supposed to have had installed in order to extend my currently-intact 100K/10 year factory warranty, and because they did not update my contact information correctly when i moved I never received the notification. My car is currently sitting at the Kia dealership, undriveable, and I am having to fight Kia to cover the engine replacement.
Engine stalling and nocking when over 2000 RPM
Was driving home at 11pm on freeway 2nd lane from right side, and engine started making a subtle knocking noise that gradually got louder. Vehicle began to lose power, and as the vehicle stalled, the check engine light came on at that moment. I shut power off to the vehicle and turned it back on, no check engine light however engine was knocking and shaking. I made it slowly and safely off freeway at that point.
The contact's client owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his client was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the mechanic discovered that a rod had blown through the engine resulting in engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Owner renotification (PI2103
- Owner renotification (PI203)
- Excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines
- Owner renotification (PI2103)
- Product improvement campaign: subsequent repair action: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326...
- Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/z)
- Owner renotification (PI2103)
- Theta 2.4L MPI - knock sensor detection system (KSDS) ECU logic improvement (PI2103)
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V907000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V224000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Kia Sportage stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
67 of 381 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Sportage (18%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $7,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Sportage?
There are 2 recalls and 60 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Sportage
Engine failure 153Knocking 94Check engine light 64Loss of power 32Fire or smoke 16Won't start 11Warning lights 10
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