Kia Sportage transmission failure problems

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.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · AZ

•12,000 Miles: Front rotors required complete replacement. •21,000 Miles: Front rotors failed and required replacement a second time. •28,000 Miles: Front seat cushion required repair due to material separation. •34,000 Miles: Front rotors failed and required replacement a third time. •51,000 Miles: Front rotors failed and required replacement a fourth time. •51,000 Miles: Complete transmission replacement required due to severe shifting difficulties.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 180,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission failed to properly change gears. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · PA · crash

Incident Date: [XXX] Vehicle: 2023 Kia Sportage Component(s): Power Train (Automatic Transmission Shifter), Electrical System (Instrument Cluster/Display), Back Over Prevention (Rearview Camera) Description of Incident: On [XXX], while performing a low-speed maneuver in Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Shift-by-Wire (SBW) logic failure resulting in a collision. After shifting the rotary gear selector from Reverse to Drive, the transmission failed to engage the selected gear and remained in Reverse without any auditory or haptic warning to the driver. Simultaneously, the Rear View Monitor (RVM) experienced a "system hang," continuing to display the rear camera feed and blocking the instrument cluster’s gear-position indicator. Due to this dual failure—unintended gear retention and display latency—the vehicle traveled in an unintended direction (Reverse) while I attempted to accelerate forward, leading to a property damage accident. Post-Incident Documentation: The vehicle was presented to Performance Kia (Moosic, PA) on 12/19/25. Technician #957 confirmed the software logic was corrupted and performed a "Clear and Relearn of Adaptive Values" to reset the Transmission Control Module (TCM). This diagnostic confirms that the vehicle was operating with failed control logic. Safety Risk: The failure of the Shift-by-Wire system to accurately execute gear changes, combined with the instrument cluster's failure to provide real-time gear position as required by FMVSS No. 102, creates an unreasonable risk of collision and injury. I was never notified of Recall SC270 or SC275, which address similar software and hydraulic failures in this model year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine experienced difficulty cranking. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The contact stated that the engine revved up, but the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The Auto START/STOP light was orange. The contact was concerned about a possible disintegration of the transmission after a friend alerted him of a similar failure. The contact called the local dealer and left a message. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2023 · Transmission · MO

7/17/23 Vehicle starting lunging erratically down a busy highway while driving. Called dealership to make appointment. The car was taken in on 7/19/23. Dealership reports the transmission blew and metal shards in the fluids. Tech expressed concern it was able to drive and lunge down road given the situation. No warning lights or indicators went off. The car is currently at the dealership awaiting a new transmission. Vehicle was purchased November 2022, brand new.

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · FL

I was driving on a city street when my vehicle begin to loose power. I was stopped at a red light and could not get up to speed to continue thru the intersection. I pulled over then had someone direct traffic as I cautiously pulled into the parking lot of a local business. After work I got aaa to tow vehicle to my home. The next day I had aaa tow vehicle to a local repair shop. I contacted kia at that time and was told my vehicle was not included in the recall .I had several mechanics diagnose problem including my local kia dealership for a fee. As I trailed behind my friend as he slowly drove vehicle from 1 shop to kia, I noticed fire underneath the vehicle so we stopped and towed vehicle the rest of the way. Kia shop verified it to be engine failure and quoted me a repair fee of $7500 to $9000 to repair the problem. I had just spent $3000 about 3 months earlier for a new transmission so I decided to donate vehicle instead of spend more money.

Filed Nov 4, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 44,000 miles · MT

I bought this car in may of 2020 with 44k on the odometer. Three days later I was on a 3400 mile road trip on the highway when I started hearing knocking from the engine bay. I took it in and had them listen. They told me it was completely normal. The knock went away for about 400 miles then came back. I took it in to 4 different dealerships. I got told there had been a recall on the motor but that it had been fixed already. The day after I got home the car died at 30 MPH on the way home from work and left me in the middle of a very busy intersection almost causing me to get hit. Took it in and it took them 4 days to find a bad fuse. The car over the next 3 months popped 12 fuses and kept dyeing on the road. Then I started having problems with it not turning over. Took it to a different dealership and they found a bad fuel pump and starter as well as a battery drain thats killed three batteries. Took the car to kia 9 different times to get looked at.7 of those times they said there was nothing wrong with it. They said they knew about the drain but couldnt find it. Then they finally figured out the fuel pump was shorting out and causing the fuse to pop. They supposedly replaced the fuel pump in september of 2020 along with the injection pump. I was 50 miles from end of warranty the day after I get the car out of the shop it wont run for longer then 15 seconds. Not getting fuel.left me stranded on the side of the road 45 miles out of town. Im back to square 1 because half the time my car wont start. The motor is still knocking and has no power with my fuel mileage dropping down to 11mpg it started revving up and speed not changing,not shifting correctly or just not shifting. My new shop discovered the transmission is failing fast. Ive had this car 6 months and am still paying for it and I cant even drive it safely. Complete transmission failure at 64,456 miles.

Filed Jun 1, 2020 · Transmission · 159,000 miles · GA

While driving rpms would jump. Had vehicle inspected and was told I would need to replace the transmission or get it rebuilt. Replaced the transmission but didn't seem to resolve the issue. Rpm's still jump while driving. Almost as if I'm pushing the gas down hard then letting off. Not sure what the issue may be, ive been told it could be the cruise control or possibly shift solenoid. Vehicle stalls/jumps while in motion, happens on interstate as well as city streets and back roads. Seems to jerk more around 40mph and 80mph but has done it at different speeds as well. Oil has been changed as well as filters, all fluids look good. Unsure what the issue may be.

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · CA

07/25/2019 took car to hilltop kia because auto transmission had been slipping, then stuck in 4th gear. Could not manually shift to change. Dealer replaced transmission switch plate/sensor. Car was returned to me on 8/15/2019. 9/19 returned car to dealer as transmission started slipping again, shifting rough and then accelerating to get on freeway rpms flew up as car went into neutral. I luckily stayed to right as truck behind me swerved left. Car then went into gear, I got off freeway. Dealer had me ride with mechanic and problem of slow upshifting, rough shifting and delayed shifting was duplicated. Dealer was not able to pull any codes. This is serious safety issue. I opened kia case number 13369527. Kia customer service, chris, stated per his manager jada would escalate. Chris also stated there was no record of previous the federal safety agency complaint 11231076 file 07/11/2019