2017 Kia Sportage: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." This created an immediate, severe collision hazard with surrounding high-speed traffic. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage with a 2.4L Theta II engine, which had previously received the mandated KSDS safety software flash. The authorized dealership (Southwest Kia) refused to honor the safety recall and lifetime warranty parameters for this engine failure, instead classifying the issue as a "burnt valve" to deny coverage and forcing an out-of-pocket retail customer charge of $6,864.49 for a full engine assembly replacement.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine · NC

My car went into limp mode on the high way due to a faulty knock sensor. my car decelerated rapidly, which could have put me and others around me at risk. I had to repair this problem on my own even though other cars similar to my make and model have had the same issue.

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Engine · CT

9 weeks ago, my daughter was driving my car with my [XXX] grandson. While she was driving it, it went into limp mode on her. She was close to home, thank goodness. There were no warning signs prior to the limp mode. We had it towed to Columbia Ford Kia in Columbia, CT. They found there was no compression and a burnt exhaust valve which these vehicles are notorious for. The 100,000 mile Kia warranty claims it won’t be covered due to normal wear and tear. When we purchased the car, we bought the extended warranty. Currently, the dealership is breaking down the engine to find the reason for the burnt exhaust valve. Then an inspector from the extended warranty will decide if it is covered. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

I bought a 2017 Kia Sportage with a salvage title at auction on [XXX] for my wife, [XXX]. It had 57,463 miles on the engine. Before it reached the 60,000-mile warranty limit (only for non-salvage title vehicles), it showed error code P1326 and went into limp mode which makes the vehicle drive at a very slow speed to avoid damage to the engine. For an explanation of limp mode, go to the web address below: [XXX] Despite my wife's Kia Sportage NOT being under warranty, the vehicle's electronic system takes control and slows the vehicle making it unsafe for continued driving. Despite the KIA manufacturer no longer having a financial interest in a non-warranted vehicle, their electronics system prevents me from managing or using my vehicle. The dealerships will not do any repairs or bypass the control system and their only solution is an expensive engine replacement. 1. The Kia displays error code P1326 which is the subject of numerous complaints to dealers throughout the U.S. The problem is the KIA goes into limp mode with no remedy. Available for inspection. [XXX] While the lawsuit above refers to Ford products, the statement regarding loss of power significantly increasing the risk of a crash does pertain to my complaint against the KIA limp mode. 2. Risk - See link above 3.Archer Kia at 11614 SW Frwy. in Houston has confirmed and diagnosed the problem on 8-15-2024. 4. See #3 above. 5. The error code P1326 is the warning. Despite the KIA manufacturer no longer having a financial interest in a non-warranted vehicle, their electronics system prevents me from managing or using my vehicle. The dealerships will not do any repairs or bypass the control system and their only solution is an expensive engine replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · OK

The vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the interstate but the dealership is telling me there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. They are also telling me that there is no powertrain coverage on this vehicle since I am the second owner. With as many problems as Kia has had, I think it should be across the board for coverage on these so no one else suffers irreparable damage. I’ve had the car shut down on me many times but every single time I’ve taken it in for diagnostic testing I’ve been told there is nothing wrong with it. I call BS. If there was nothing wrong with it, it wouldn’t shut down on me while I’m driving it.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Engine · FL

On June 19th 2023, the engine to my 2017 Kia Sportage failed with little indication and time to response. Prior to this occurring, my Kia Sportage experienced two instances of limp mode which is an sensor program for the car to diminish efficiency to avoid continued failure. Whist I thought this issue was resolved on May 18 2023, after the first instance of limp mode, I was not fully prepared for the engine to fail so quickly. All three instances (twice limp mode and once engine failure) put my life at risk. The safety of the drivers around me were also endangered due to this taking place. The engine failure has been confirmed with Kia Motors/Greenway Kia West Dealership and both have agreed to replace the engine to my Kia Sportage. I was informed on 6/26 that Kia Motors requested a video of my engine failure. Details on this were not fully shared with me at the time of submitting this report. The engine light warning came on at the times of limp mode only in which my speedometer diminished from 60-80 mph down to 30mph in less than 10 seconds. When the engine failed, as I was braking coming to a stop light, I received no indication until the moment the engine failed while braking. This also put my safety at risk- I was on a busy roadway in the middle of the night and the failure occurring with my car kept my hazard lights from visibility to others on the road.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Engine · TN

Engine failure at 105,xxx miles. New short block engine at 105,xxx and loss of power at 110,xxx miles. Limp mode was able to reset after turning off the vehicle. It went in to limp mode several times. Dealership denies responsibility. Only goes into Limp mode at higher speeds making it even more dangerous. No check engine light.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light blinking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because the vehicle was under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2020 · Engine · 15,328 miles · MI

The car check engine light comes on while driving. Putting the car into limp mode. Very dangerous in traffic. Low power. The car has to be towed. They replace a single wire under the hood each time.. Happened 3 times in 1.5 years. They are not fixing the car, just putting a band aid on it ,and kicking the can down the road.

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Seat belts, Transmission · 56,994 miles · CA

Automatic transmission intermittently, slipping gears but seems to resolve on it's own while driving on city streets and highway. Now also intermittently its not shifting gears at all also while driving on city street. Automatic tranny stuck in 4th and unable to manually shift into another gear. The instrument display shows esp on (electronic stability program) indicator and dbc on (downhill brake control) indicators when stuck in gear. Safety issue as unable to move with normal acceleration, but slow crawl to get out of roadway. Rear seatbelt wont latch when car is stationary.

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Engine · 5,800 miles · PA

December 2018 received a notice from kia that the company was conducting a product improvement campaign to perform a software update on all 2016-2018 my sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4l gasoline direct injection and 2.0l turbocharged engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. Update was to be done free of charge and would only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the ecu. On january 3rd 2019 I had the update completed at the kia dealership from where the vehicle had been leased. Approximately 15 miles after leaving the dealership the vehicle went into "limp mode", restricting the engines RPM's and acceleration. I immediately pulled off the roadway and contacted the dealership. I was informed to return with the vehicle to the dealership. Once at the dealership I was informed that an additional wire harness would need installed and repairs would be completed within one day. Just prior to leaving the dealership I was informed that kia was instructing the dealership it would be necessary for the entire engine be replaced. At the time of the incident the vehicle on had 5800 miles on the odometer. I have been waiting in excess of two months for the vehicle. Dealership can get no further information from kia as to when the engine will be delivered. I have contacted kia 3 times and spoke with representatives that are unable to provide information on engine delivery. I was told on last call that a elevated case manager was assigned and was given his direct line. On 3/5/2018 I attempted to contact the case manager and left I message on voicemail. I have not been re-contacted as of this writing. I am also still making the lease payment on the vehicle and obviously insuring the vehicle.