2026 Kia Sportage problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Visibility · OR

When driving into the sun, thousands of tiny dust like sparkles illuminate in the windshield. These dust like sparkles can and do obstruct vision through the windshield. This has been a problem since the day I putchased my new 2026 KIA Sportage SX Prestige Hybrid from KIA of Portland on July 30, 2026. I took attached photo with my cell phone and you will need to zoom in a bit to see sparkles.

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · OH

Windshield is cracking easily when small rocks have hit it driving past vehicles on the road. Bought a brand new car that has not been owened for a year. Windshield seems to have a defect or cheaply made. 3 cracks in it in less than one year.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · KS

The vehicle has developed a persistent, severe rattling noise coming from the engine bay and front chassis area. The noise becomes significantly worse and amplifies at highway speeds, raising severe concerns about high-speed mechanical instability. The vehicle has undergone multiple repair attempts at an authorized dealership, but mechanics have been unable to identify or resolve the root cause of the noise. The vehicle is currently considered unfit for road use and has remained restricted to the dealership repair facility for 29 consecutive days since October 2, 2026. Because the source of this heavy mechanical rattle cannot be identified by factory technicians and worsens at speed, it presents an immediate safety risk. An unresolved, unknown mechanical defect in the front end or engine compartment raises serious concerns regarding potential sudden component failure, steering/suspension compromise, or structural detachment while operating at high speeds, which could result in a catastrophic loss of vehicle control.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · KY · 1 injury

A deer ran out on the parkway when I was coming home from work and it totaled my vehicle. The ambulance had to pry the door open to get me out. The airbag never deployed and the seatbelt popped open.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Seats · 14,223 miles · TX · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that his wife had driven for 6.5 hours at 35-70 MPH with the seat heater activated, the seat heater overheated. Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver discovered second-degree burns on her right thigh and significant bruising extending from her left thigh to her buttocks. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact and wife were traveling on a 6.5 hours trip. The contact's wife received medical treatment for the injuries. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 14,223.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

Wiring harness keeps getting chewed up by rodents in engine bay. Had to have Kia fix 2 times for the parking distance sensors. Have done lots of prevention things to keep from engine bay, but attracted to this vehicle. My 2 other vehicles no problems. They are not Kias. It causes loss of driver assistance systems.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · LA

Occurred on 8/3/2026: 1. I parked my car in my driveway 2. My car is sitting in the driver door storage area and my phone with digital key is sitting on the front passenger seat. 3. Vehicle is turned off; I exit the vehicle and close the door. 4. My toddler is the back seat (not on the driver side), so i start to walk over to take her out. 5. In the meantime, the car locks itself. 6. I walk back to driver door and it is locked as well. This was serious and immediate issue as the ambient temperature was 92 degrees F and car at this point has no circulation. Luckily I was at home so was able to hurry and grab my second key from home to unlock the car. It all took about 5 min and by the time I was able to get her out, she was sweating.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · AL

While adaptive cruise was engaged, the vehicle read Alabama highway 80 west state road sign and incorrectly interpreted the sign for a speed limit sign which is 55 MPH.The vehicle displayed a “80 MPH” speed limit sign on the instrument cluster and then began to accelerate. When I took it to the dealer for repair, the “turned off safety feature”.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Tires · 3,900 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen HP71, Tire Size: 235/60/R18, DOT Number: 1K2CMYA8E . While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started shaking violently and vibrated abnormally, causing the driver to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The driver regained control of the steering wheel and parked the vehicle. The Police and a towing service was called to the scene. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had tread separation at the center of the tire, causing the center rim of the wheel to be exposed and caused damages to the wheel well and fender. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle manufacturer and rental car company were notified of the failure. The tire manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 3,900.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · OH

I was driving on the freeway, when all of a sudden my car felt like it was driving on its own. It began jerking, rapidly accelerating causing the rpm to go up on its own, and causing the engine to rev. It alternated between accelerating and braking. I pulled off to the side and had it towed to the dealership I lease it from. The dealership drove it and the same thing happened. They said it was stuck in 2nd gear, so they have to completely replace the transmission. There were absolutely no warning lights or messages prior to this occurrence. It happened during rush hour so there were a lot of cars out, and I felt as if I lost control of my car. I also had to pull off to the side of an off ramp as I was attempting to get off at an exit to go to work.