I am filing a safety complaint regarding our 2023 Kia Sportage, VIN [XXX], with approximately 51,331 miles. The vehicle began experiencing shaking and vibration while driving at speeds below approximately 40 mph. The check-engine warning light also illuminated. This raised serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safe operation, particularly because my daughter regularly drives this vehicle to and from school. I am concerned about the possibility of an unexpected loss of power, breakdown, or other mechanical failure while she is driving. On XXX, the vehicle was inspected at Napleton's River Oaks Kia in [XXX]. According to Repair Order #XXX, diagnostic testing confirmed engine misfires in cylinders 2 and 4. The technician swapped ignition coils, performed additional testing, and documented that the misfires returned. Carbon buildup was identified on the cylinder 2 spark plug, and all four spark plugs were replaced at a cost of $406.17. Although the shaking and vibration stopped following this repair, the underlying cause of the misfires remains a concern. I subsequently learned about an investigation involving alleged defective fuel injectors in certain 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles and Kia Technical Service Bulletin FUE068. I do not know whether our vehicle has a defective fuel injector, and the dealership's invoice does not indicate whether the injectors were tested. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this incident to determine whether the engine misfires could be associated with a broader vehicle safety defect. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Kia dealership, and the repair documentation is available upon request. The original spark plugs' availability for inspection is UNKNOWN. My primary concern is the safety of my daughter and other motorists should a similar malfunction occur again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2023 Kia Sportage problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical46
- Engine39
- Brakes34
- Driver assistance34
- Transmission19
- Fuel system14
- Visibility13
- Airbags11
- Acceleration10
- Body5
- Seats5
- Steering5
- Wheels3
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2023 Kia Sportage
Stalling 16Sunroof shattered 12Screen failure 11No deployment 10Check engine light 8Collision warning 7Lane assist 7Windshield crack 7Backup camera 6Grinding brakes 6Hesitation 6Loss of power 6Engine failure 5Jerking 5Misfire 5Warning lights 5
Recalls 6
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
- Risk
- A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Recall number 24V025000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: pump
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
- Risk
- An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
Recall number 23V531000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
Recall number 23V410000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V298000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
- Risk
- A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.
Recall number 22V878000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.
Recall number 22V651000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Kia Sportage 74
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Owner notification (WTY047)
- Reimbursement form (WTY047)
- Reimbursement form (WTY047)
- Dealer principal memo (WTY047)
- Dealer parts and service manager memo (WTY047)
- Question and answer (WTY047) –
- Rear shock absorber inspection & replacement (WTY047)
- AVN gen 5.0 wide software update
- Key and cylinder set replacement
- Infotainment system software update using update.kia.com
2023 Kia Sportage fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 42 | 44 | 43 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl Hybrid | AWD | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl Plug-in hybrid | AWD | 36 | 35 | 35 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 23 | 28 | 25 |
What 2023 Kia Sportage owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
02/2025 Engine light on - dealership said it was a coolant sensor has not repaired 2026 I was driving my car as normal went to a store and whole driving I went to try to use my turn signals and nothing wouldn’t light up wouldn’t do anything, I attempted to use my emergency lights also were not working I had to pull over I got off another store went back in car and they started working fine as if nothing accured. This has happened multiple times many calls to dealership that will only look at it if I leave my car but no loaner car unless I pay ridiculous amount. The car has touch screen climant control / radio volume that goes in and out, touch screen will not respond this is hazardous when driving I cannot signal other drivers or put my emergency lights on. I’ve reached out multiple times to dealership and no one seems to care but this is a problem I could cause an accident I’m in fear something else will happen
On Saturday,XXX, my vehicle was serviced (oil change and tire rotation) at Berwyn Kia, [XXX]. Shortly after leaving the dealership, I noticed a vibration that developed into a thumping noise from the right rear, worsening at highway speed. I pulled over and found three lug nuts missing from the right rear wheel, and most of the remaining lug nuts could be turned by hand. The wheel was at risk of separating from the vehicle. The dealership sent a technician to help me get back on the road. I have not driven the vehicle since. I am reporting this so there is a record of a wheel-retention safety failure following dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power lose while accelerating (Especially on the highway), misfire causing rough idle. Code reading P0301 for fuel injector in cylinder 1. Kia is aware of this issue and has a TSB out for it however will not cover for the cost to replace the fuel injectors. Because of this issue my car does get up to speed in an appropriate amount of time causing a safety concern no only for me but for cars around me. This is also not a constant misfire and is unpredictable when it will happen.
The rear cargo window spontaneously shattered while car was parked. The car was taken for repair to Auto Glass Systems in Springfield Illinois. They do all the repairs for the Kia dealership locally. Upon inspection, they reported that the glass had no point of impact and was caused by an internal defect which was confirmed by the shatter pattern. They said they have had numerous repairs for the same spontaneous, shattering in Kia Sportage windows and suggested that we file a report.
When driving at speeds slightly above 50 mph between 1,700 and 1,900 RPM, maintaining light pressure on the accelerator pedal causes a noticeable physical vibration and shaking throughout both the pedal and the vehicle. To mitigate these concerning symptoms, I intentionally have to press down harder on the gas pedal, which helps immediately stop the shaking. This issue has been occurring consistently over time. While it has not resulted in an accident so far, it could raise safety concerns. I have reported this condition to Kia Customer Care twice, but no appropriate action or resolution has been provided.
I am reporting a recurring and unresolved acceleration issue with my 2023 Kia Sportage. The vehicle intermittently continues to accelerate or maintains elevated RPMs even after I release the accelerator pedal. This has occurred multiple times and creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle does not decelerate as expected. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Kia dealership multiple times for the same concern. Several components have been replaced, including the throttle body, but the acceleration problem continues to occur. The issue has also been observed during a dealership visit. Because the problem continues despite repeated repair attempts, I would like to formally document and investigate this safety concern and provide a permanent resolution. I am increasingly concerned about the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
My daughter’s 2023 Kia Sportage SX Prestige has an instrument cluster that intermittently goes completely black while the vehicle is being driven. When this occurs, the driver cannot see the speedometer, warning indicators, or other critical vehicle information. Ferguson Kia inspected the vehicle and documented that the “cluster side of screen [is] INOP.” The technician reset the screen, performed variant coding, verified systems were up to date, removed and inspected the head unit/connectors, verified pin tension and fuses, and found no DTC codes. The screen remained inoperative. Ferguson Kia diagnosed an “internal electrical failure” and recommended replacement of the head unit. I paid $199 for this diagnosis and was advised the replacement would cost approximately $10,000. I am concerned because Kia previously issued Safety Recall SC270/the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑298 involving instrument clusters that may become blank in certain 2023 Kia Sportages. I understand this vehicle may not be included in that recall and may use a different instrument cluster. I am not claiming it is necessarily the identical defect. However, this is a documented blank instrument-cluster failure in the same model year that creates a similar safety hazard. I am reporting this because loss of the instrument cluster while driving prevents the driver from seeing critical driving and safety information. I am concerned that 2023 Sportages not included in the existing recall may also be experiencing blank instrument-cluster failures.
My child is [XXX] old, and as he has grown, I have noticed significant problems with the way he is positioned and supported in this car seat. He frequently sits too far forward and does not appear to have adequate support to keep his head and body in a safe, comfortable position.There have been multiple occasions during car rides when my child has choked or struggled because he is positioned so far forward. The design of the base does not seem to allow him to lean back sufficiently, which causes him to slump forward rather than remain properly supported. This is especially concerning when he falls asleep. His head falls completely forward, and the seat does not appear to provide adequate head, neck, or upper-body support to prevent this.This was not something I noticed when my child was younger. He previously tolerated the car seat without significant issues. However, as he has gotten bigger, the positioning and lack of support have become increasingly obvious. His discomfort has also increased considerably.I have also experienced a separate concern with the installation of the car seat. After connecting the base to the vehicle's lower anchors and tightening the straps as instructed, I have noticed that the straps gradually loosen slightly during a car ride. While the amount of movement may appear minor, I consider any loosening of the installation system during use to be a serious safety concern. A car seat base should remain securely installed throughout the entire trip and should not become less secure during normal use.The combination of these issues is extremely concerning to me as a parent. I purchased this product with the expectation that it would securely restrain and properly support my child during a vehicle crash or sudden stop. Instead, I have observed my child repeatedly being placed in a forward-slumped position, including while sleeping, as well as an installation component that appears to lose some tension during use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
I own a 2023 Kia Sportage Pro While driving to work, I heard an explosive sound that sounded like a gunshot on the top of my vehicle. I pulled over to see that my sunroof had exploded. I checked for any objects that may have hit it, and the only thing that was in the top of the roof was glass. Thankfully, my cover was closed on my sunroof for a glass would have been all over causing possible injury.
Compare the 2023 Kia Sportage
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2023 Kia Sportage
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage reliable?
Owners have filed 195 complaints about the 2023 Kia Sportage, 1.5 times a typical Sportage model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Kia Sportage?
Electrical system, with 46 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles. Next is engine (39).
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Sportage have?
6 recalls, covering structure, power train and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Kia Sportage electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V298000, 22V651000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sportage have the most electrical problems?
The Kia Sportage model years with the most electrical complaints are 2017 (63 complaints), 1998 (46 complaints) and 2023 (46 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Sportage get?
Official estimates for the 2023 Kia Sportage range from 25 to 43 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 42 city and 44 highway.
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