Kia Sportage misfire problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · IL

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)

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Engine · KY

I purchased my 2022 Kia Sportage in 2021 from Kia Store East here in [XXX]. On Oct. 9th, for the first time in five years, I saw an engine light on in my car and the car started shaking. The dealer could not get me in until XXX. I received a call on Oct. 22nd stating that the vehicle has a cylinder 1 misfire. The dealership scoped the cylder one and found a hole in the exhaust valve. The fix for a five year old car with 105K miles? A long engine block replacement to the tune of $9,723. There is an issue with these Kia engines that extends beyond the current settlement. I was on the highway when this happened. I could have easily been in an accident on the expressway. The oil in the engine was almost empty (no oil light) and the engine failing (this was the first time I saw an engine light). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Engine · TN

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · TN

Vehicle suddenly entered recall limp-mode due to the ongoing engine campaign. Prior to this, the vehicle had immaculate maintenance records and zero driveability issues. The franchise dealership performed a short-block engine replacement under the safety recall, rushing the complete powertrain swap in less than a single afternoon.The dealership subsequently returned the vehicle in a dangerously malfunctioning and incomplete repair state. At delivery, the Check Engine Light was actively illuminated, and the car exhibited severe acceleration stumbles, power loss under load, and engine misfires (driving "punchy"). Because I am a non-mechanic, I gave the vehicle one week to settle, but the life-threatening acceleration stumbles persisted.Upon immediate return to the service center, the technician (Nathaniel) formally diagnosed failing intake manifold "butterfly" valves (Variable Charge Motion assembly). Nathaniel explicitly admitted to me that this auxiliary component failure was directly caused by the mechanical extraction and engine replacement process. Despite admitting their labor caused this defect, the dealership refused to complete the safety repair, demanding a fraudulent $900 out-of-pocket payment to correct it. Management then falsely claimed a simple manifold service would take two full days—directly contradicting their rushed afternoon engine swap.The dealership released the vehicle back to me with no confirmation of safety or roadworthiness. I escalated this to Kia Corporate Customer Care, but they officially responded via email refusing to intervene or facilitate any auxiliary repairs. Out of absolute necessity as a single mother working 12-hour shifts, I am forced to drive this vehicle short distances. It remains a major safety hazard due to unpredictable stumbling, chronic cylinder misfires, and high risk of sudden stalling in active traffic, leaving a federal safety recall completely incomplete. I have invoices and emails if needed

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Engine · 180,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine light was flashing, and the vehicle went into ECO mode. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and engine failure due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2017 Kia Sportage has experienced excessive oil consumption, cylinder #3 misfires, loss of power, and highway stalling events. The dealership initially documented engine damage and indicated findings consistent with internal engine failure, including concerns related to metal contamination and cylinder damage. These issues appear consistent with numerous complaints from other Kia owners involving the same engine family. Kia has since backtracked on prior findings, and both Kia and the dealership have stopped responding to my requests for clarification and documentation. The cylinder damage and related engine failures appear to be symptoms of a larger engine defect that poses a safety risk due to sudden loss of power and stalling while driving. I request that the federal safety agency investigate these recurring engine failures and Kia’s handling of these claims.

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · Engine · MD

I am reporting a dangerous engine failure involving sudden loss of power and complete engine shutdown. While traveling uphill on I-90 in Massachusetts, my 2017 Kia Sportage suddenly lost engine power and rapidly became unable to maintain speed. I first moved into the right lane due to the power loss, but then had to cross traffic at approximately 20 mph to reach a small emergency shoulder area on the left side of the highway, where the vehicle completely died. This created a serious highway safety hazard for me and other drivers. We were stranded in a highly dangerous location and required assistance from multiple Massachusetts State Troopers due to the unsafe roadside conditions. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership, where they diagnosed: spark plugs covered in oil, multiple cylinder misfires, compression loss in cylinder 3, burnt valve causing failure likely worn valve seals causing oil consumption. The dealership stated the engine had been burning/consuming oil and that the burnt valve caused the loss of compression and sudden breakdown. This vehicle uses the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, which has a long history of engine failures, oil consumption complaints, stalling, and class-action litigation involving sudden engine failure and loss of power. Kia denied coverage by claiming only rod-bearing failures qualify for warranty extension, even though excessive oil consumption and compression loss appear closely related to the same broader engine defect pattern. Other owners have also reported 2017 Sportage excessive oil consumption leading to compression loss and engine failure. I believe this is a serious safety defect because the engine can fail suddenly while driving at highway speed, drivers may have little warning before loss of power, oil consumption may not trigger adequate warning before catastrophic failure. This creates crash risk, roadside hazard exposure, and potential fire risk.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · KS

I've had an oil leak for a couple of years, typically having to put in 5 - 7 quarts of oil in between oil changes. In 2025 I had my spark plugs and some oil seal replaced it was quite expensive to have done. 6ish months later my 4th cylinder started misfiring. I took it to the repair shop. They performed an oil wash and it seemed to fix the misfire issue at the time. 3 months later it started to misfire again. I took it back to the repair shop and had them replace all 4 of the ignition coils, which did not help. They recommended I take it the Kia dealer. They believe the engine is burning oil which why it has such high oil consumption and that they believe the engine should be under a warranty. I need a safe vehicle for work and travel and frustrated that I am having to pay so much money just trying to get my vehicle repaired so it is.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Engine · 82,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #4 misfire, a knock sensor, and bearing clearance measurement failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty because the warranty was on the vehicle with the previous owner. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and was advised that the repair could not be covered under warranty because the failure was considered the consumer’s negligence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Engine · NC

In April of 2025, it was noticed that my Sportage was consuming oil. There were no leaks or smoke just having to put oil in. Two mechanics stated that’s just Kia. On the night of 1/30/2026 my Sportage had an engine light come on. After the winter storm, I was able to get the code read and it came back as a Cylinder 1 Misfire. In May of 2025 I replaced all coil packs and spark plugs. On 2/1/26 we replaced the coil packs and spark plug. On 2/4/2026, Kia told me I have to replace the engine. I am still paying the vehicle off. This does seem to be an issue with Kia engines 2.4 from what I’m reading.