Table 1 shows one common service brakes related problems of the 2023 Kia Motor Sportage.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes problems |
Purchased a cpo Sportage xpro April 2025. As I am unfamiliar with the mechanisms of kia, unbeknownst to me, my engine revved the first week of purchase. Since this incident, the engine has revved while braking on [xxx] while driving down a city street. The next incident occurred on [xxx] , while exiting the highway and coming to a stop. My passenger, who happens to be a mechanical engineer asked if bumped the gears for the engine to revv as it did, which I did not. The fourth occurrence was [xxx], while driving city streets and coming to a stop. I contacted kia after the [xxx] incident and they drove the car and could not duplicate my safety concern. When the engine revvs while braking, there are no malfunction warnings messages and goes back to normal within 30 seconds or when I shift back to park and drive. As the safety issue is intermittent, not sure if there is a scheduled duplication of the occurrence. Nonetheless, in review of several complaints via NHTSA, I see a similarities in NHTSA campaign 23-v-410 and wondering the applicability to my Sportage despite no recalls. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Initially in may 25, my Sportage started accelerating on its own, unprompted, up to 4500 rpms many times and also hesitated. In 6/25 the info screen, (whole dash) went black 4-5 x’s for about 3minutes while driving 60 mph on bypass. Beginning of July, siri didn’t work and said it was inaccessible, and also the navigation said it was not updated however, when I pulled into the dealer, all of a sudden it worked? on 7/23 I was turning into apt complex and had no brakes! I had slowed to about 20mph, car behind me, and couldn’t make that turn so I coasted up to next entrance and was able to turn in. Fortunately, I was able to stop in my handicap pkg spot. I had already made appt for the initial issues at the dealer, moyer kia in lebanon, for first week of August, but immediately called them on 724 and explained the absence of breaks! they told me to get car there right away, so I did. I gave a list of all above info, they were able to give me a loaner, kia g6. This was very inconvenient for me as most of my back is fused and I provide transport for my [xxx] /o mom w/walker, but I can’t go w/o a car! moyer has had my car since 7/24,. With the exception of need for miles on the loaner communication was poor. I tried to reach kia corp multiple x’s to no avail. I was told by brian at dealer that my case had been escalated to the national safety board and they were advised not to touch my car pending investigation. So it sat there for months I got a message from kia connect that my battery was dead, more communication than I had received throughout this whole experience! last week, Thursday I had called corp who said they sent me an email on 1023 to tell me nothing is wrong with my car, they also emailed the dealer. I hadn’t checked email, nor did they call, so I didn’t know, dealer called me on Friday to come and get my car, but first they had to grind the rust off of rotors, recharge the battery and would I like them to inspect it?, nothing is wrong? this car is not safe!!!! information redacted pursuant to the freedom.
I have received a warning 3 times saying “rotary shifter stuck. I searched and information says bring to dealer for immediate repair the brakes can lock and can cause an accident . I brought it in the first time and was told they can’t determine the issue unless the warning is on when I come in. It never happens when they are open. I read other stories and this problem is not just me having the issue. One person was told the same thing and his car has stopped in traffic and would not restart for a long time they need to find out what is wrong with the rotary shifter.
My kia has a feature called "downhill brake control". The manual states it will control the downhill speed of the car without using the brake or gas. I have used this on hills near my house and when I get down the hill to a flat-ish area, I manually turn the control off. Most times it works fine. Sometimes, the car bucks and then comes to a complete stop or close to it. I feel this is a safety issue as if someone is behind me, they may not realize it's the car stopping suddenly and ram in to me. I have asked the dealer about it, they've said it's working as designed. Kia USA doesn't care after 2 letters to them. This is my last attempt to get kia to look in to this issue. For now, I just don't use the stupid button.
I took my car in several times to complain about the rotors and brakes. They said everything was fine but then the vehicle failed on the road so we had it taken to the nearest repair shop since we were on a road trip. Now kia which has a fix to the damaged parts refusing to replace the defective parts.
My car is a 2023 kia Sportage with 38,000 miles on it. I was informed upon getting my brake pads changed that my master cylinder for my brakes were not working, which is extremely dangerous and should not have happened until the car had at least 100,000 miles if ever. Not only did I have to pay out-of-pocket because kia refused to get me in for a month so I had to go to a private repair shop to get this taken care of even though I was under warranty. This extremely concerning.
The issue appears to involve the cvt (continuously variable transmission) system or the transmission fluid/lubricant pump. The vehicle jerks or hesitates when accelerating from a stop, as if struggling to shift properly. The check engine light comes on repeatedly. This issue is ongoing, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The jerking and hesitation when trying to drive, especially from a stop or when merging into traffic, poses a safety risk to myself and others. The delayed or unpredictable response could easily lead to an accident in high-traffic areas, intersections, or when making turns. Yes. The issue has been observed multiple times. The check engine light has returned even after replacing the O2 sensors, and a trusted mechanic believes the problem may be transmission-related. However, the kia dealership claims there are no active recalls tied to my VIN, even though publicly available information lists powertrain- and fluid pump-related recalls for my vehicle's year and model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by kia corporate. I reached out to the local dealer, who denied any applicable recall. I am submitting this complaint in hopes of an official review and inspection by the manufacturer or NHTSA to determine if the issue qualifies for safety recall intervention. Yes. The check engine light first appeared months ago, which led to replacement of the O2 sensors. Shortly after the replacement, the light returned, and the car began jerking while trying to drive or accelerate from a stop. These symptoms have persisted and appear to be worsening.
Traveling at 70 mph on [xxx] in traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and I was forced to unsafely maneuver to the shoulder of the road as the vehicle decelerated through the traffic. As soon as I stopped, the vehicle lost all power. I had difficulty engaging the parking brake as I was on a hill and the vehicle started to roll back. The brake pedal did work so I could stop the car but I could not exit the vehicle in fear of it rolling back into traffic. I called 911 to explain the situation. After 20 more minutes I engaged/disengaged the parking brake several times and it finally held. I still would not leave the vehicle because I could not trust it at that point. Another 20 minutes passed and a road ranger arrived and placed a wooden block behind the wheel and at that point I felt comfortable to get out of the car. I was told by kia service the issue was related to recall sa553a but I was never notified. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I was driving my vehicle on the freeway when all of a sudden I got a warning light that came on that said check hybrid system it looked up my brakes and steering the car completely shutdown in the middle of the freeway it happened so fast I couldn't get to the shoulder my car completely just stopped. I spoke to kia and took it to the dealership and they ended up saying because it needed a update which I then called kia and let them know the situation that I almost got in a accident and that I didn't feel safe in that car and they didn't want to help.
I was driving east from austin, TX on [xxx], and as I approached a major intersection in elgin, TX. , a warning light appeared on my dashboard that said "hybrid system failure: pull over safely". I was able to pull over into the left turn lane and then was barely able to make it over a curb and onto a highway median strip, before my car engine stopped and all dashboard lights went out. This happened in about 30 seconds. My two year old car with fewer than 30,000 miles on it went completely dead. It would not start even after several attempts. I called kia roadside assistance, and was told I needed to have the car towed to a dealership. The tow truck driver backed the car into the space they indicated at the dealership, and it started to roll forward as it was apparently in neutral. He had to borrow a board to put under the back wheels. Days later I was told to come get the car, as it had been repaired. When I got there, it was in the same space with the board still under the wheels. I was told it just had needed a software update. (sa553a). I was never notified that my vehicle needed this update, and would just stop wherever: I. E. On a hwy with no shoulders, at night, etc. And that I would be unable to brake the car, or drive it, or put on emergency warning lights after 30 seconds. This was unbelievably unsafe. I am [xxx]. What if I were a family with children on board and it happened on a highway at night??? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Dear NHTSA defects and recall team, my name is [xxx] , and I am writing this email along with my wife, [xxx] , to report a serious safety issue with our 2023 kia Sportage. I am writing to bring a serious, ongoing vehicle safety issue involving a kia Sportage to your attention. My family and I are facing repeated, hazardous malfunctions with our vehicle that have led us to fear for our lives, as well as the safety of others on the road. Since mid-September, our 2023 kia Sportage has experienced sudden, unanticipated shut-offs both while parked and, most dangerously, while driving. During these incidents, the brake pedal becomes completely unresponsive, hazard lights fail to activate, and the vehicle is left stranded and inoperable. Most recently, while driving in traffic, the car shut off without warning, leaving us in an extremely vulnerable position. These repeated failures could lead to a catastrophic accident, especially considering we often travel with our [xxx] child in the vehicle. Despite notifying kia and seeking assistance from their customer service team, the issue remains unresolved, and their response has been unacceptably slow. Given the severity of these malfunctions and their direct impact on public safety, we respectfully request your support in addressing this matter. We believe kia has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its vehicles and to take immediate action when serious safety risks arise. We request that the NHTSA investigate the issue and consider any necessary recalls or further action to ensure public safety. We would appreciate any guidance or assistance your office could provide in helping us resolve this life-threatening issue. Sincerely, [xxx] and [xxx] [xxx] | [xxx] kia Sportage x line awd [xxx] purchased date: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I received a letter last year about brake booster . Kia had a recall on this I didn't realize that it was a recall. I'm wondering will kia still value the recall. I will be getting my car servie and inspected on 8-13.
I feel shaking when I apply the brakes. I took it to vision kia in canandaigua, NY, where I purchased it brand new, and they said the rotors are warped because of braking and heating up. They said that they are not under warranty. My car has 16,000 miles on it, the brakes should not be bad already.
Rotors are warping on car. Started after 5k miles and progressively got worse.
The brakes become extremely stiff, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Once the vehicle is running, the brakes leak air when pressed, and stopping distance has been noticeably increased.
Purchased a brand new 2023 kia Sportage and at 10,000 miles my brakes felt like they were worn out, the car had a wobbling to it and a grinding sound. Took it into the dealer and they told me my brakes and rotors are worn out. They wanted $900. 00. I complained to the manager and he said they would do it as a courtesy. Now again at 20,000 I am having the same issue. Again took it back and they told me they need to talk to me about my braking habits!. Also they said they will do it again as a courtesy, which I am extremly gratefull!but I do not want to change out my brakes and rotor every 10,000 miles. . . We have purchased 3 brand new kia for my family in the last year as we love them. But I am not feeling so safe driving my Sportage right now. I have had many cars in my 47 yrs of driving and never once had to replace brakes and rotors every 10,000 miles! 20,000 , 30,000 or even 50,000 miles. . The braking system is not correct and it has a wobble to it. I have read many complaints on line about the same issue. It needs to be looked into.
On 05/13/24, the infotainment screen blanked out and the brake lights warning indicator appeared twice on the instrument panel while driving. This happened on two separate occasions.
Fallaron los frenos.
Experience vibration/pulsation when braking creating poor braking ability, increased braking distance,potential loss of control. Dealer replaced original front rotors and brake pads at approximately 12000 miles. Now at 23000, the condition exists again. I believe there is a material or design issue causing premature brake wear and pulsation causing an unsafe condition.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently lurch forward upon depressing the brake pedal without warning. As the failure continued intermittently, the contact stated that while driving at 27 mph, the vehicle failed to stop upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact immediately merged into the open right lane to avoid hitting another vehicle and shifted the vehicle into park(p). The contact stated that the check brake system warning message, an orange warning symbol, and the emergency brake light all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact initially parked the vehicle and later had the vehicle towed to home. The next day, the contact managed to drive the vehcile to the dealer where the vehicle remained in their possession for two weeks. The contact then received a call from the dealer that the warning lights had no longer appeared on the instrument panel and that the vehcile could be picked up. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an investigator was assigned to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired and remained the dealer's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Driving 5 hours away. Got to my destination parked and went to check in . Came back to my car and drove to where my room was going to be. I went to try to stop and the brakes were spongy and seems like it too forever to finally stop. Due to this issue I ended up hitting a curb and damaging my car/ tires. I was very scared to drive back home like that. I looked it up and it says there is a recall for the breaking system but my car wasnt one of them. I need to get this fixed ASAP and also my tires/ front end of car. What can I do about this issue and getting it fixed ASAP ?!.
Purchased vehicle used 11/18/2023. Two days later vehicle went into limp mode on the highway. No brakes. Engine continued to shut off. Towed to dealer. Replaced injector. 11000 miles. 12/27/23 vehicle was returned. 11/14/2024 vehicle went into limp mode. Engine would not run. Vehicle was blowing white smoke thru exhaust. Another highway incident. Towed to dealership. This condition is very dangerous on the highway not only for me, my family and other motorist. As of today the vehicle is still at dealership. Do not have the repair orders or my car.
My 2023 kia Sportage awd has several ongoing safety issues that have been happening for over a year. The car stalls or hesitates at low speeds and during acceleration. I hear grinding or whining noises from the front end and drivetrain. My brakes wore out very early and still feel inconsistent, and the automatic braking acts unpredictable. The awd system sometimes feels unstable when I try to accelerate. The tire pressure warning light comes on often even when the tires are fine. These issues happen randomly and make the car feel unsafe to drive. I am reporting this for safety investigation.
Leased new kia Sportage on 1/1/22 went in for oil change on 11/11/22 3 hrs later told a "forced" update "burned" out the computer and car was not driveable on 11/30/22 was driving to work on li expressway, car shut down without warning while I was driving, smelled something burning, called 911, car towed to dealer. Told it was defective fuel injector. 1/29/23 I reported brakes grinding and vibration sound coming from engine, rpm's rev up but car doesn't accelerate. Brakes needed to be cut. Was told since there was no "code" nothing could be done about engine sound/rpm increasing. Car was in for service 3 times because of this issue. 9/10/23 car shut down while I was driving without warning and gas smell in car was nauseating. Car would briefly start & shut down. Car towed to dealer. I have reached out to kia corporate numerous times expressing I am afraid to drive the car, the car is dangerous and my life and the lives of others at risk. When car shuts down, ther is no warning, it just stops. I have had nightmares and lost sleep. I travel on highways & busy roads everyday. Kia wanted me to sign waiver releasing them of everything in lieu of 3 months lease payments. Expressed my life & lives of others are worth more than 3 payments. Car has had 2 recalls on top of these issues. I have reached out for help and have been ignored. 9/12/23 told by kia corporate it would take 2 weeks to escalate my complaint. Car is currently at dealership. Please help!.
My kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at dunkin donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was there and police was called.
The contact was driving a 2023 kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash the vehicle sustained front end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash the second vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 450.
Vehicle: 2023 kia Sportage issue: service brakes / premature rotor failure / grinding within approximately six months of purchasing my vehicle new, I experienced brake grinding and premature rotor failure. This condition has reoccurred multiple times despite repair attempts at authorized kia dealerships, including rotor replacement under a technical service bulletin. Multiple dealerships acknowledged the issue. A kia service manager advised that factory brake and rotor components are prone to premature failure and stated that reinstallation of original parts would likely result in recurrence. They recommended aftermarket brake components to correct the defect. Despite this acknowledgement, kia America has failed to provide a permanent fix and continues to rely on reinstalling the same materials associated with repeated failures. The defect remains unresolved and presents an ongoing safety risk due to compromised braking performance. This issue appears consistent with known defect patterns affecting kia Sportage vehicles manufactured between 2022–2024, with widespread consumer complaints reporting premature brake wear, grinding, vibration, and repeated rotor failure. I am submitting this complaint due to the safety implications of repeated brake failure, kia’s failure to implement a corrective remedy, and the risk posed to drivers and the public.
I parked my car. It reversed slowly and hit a wall made of metal net. I started my car, drove a little forward, and parked it again. The car is now parked as normal. I took my car to the dealer and informed them about a brake problem. They verified that it was a brake booster problem. The repair process took 21 days. I am currently attempting to claim the accident, but the kia company is providing various reasons for potential denial.
I was notified that my vehicle has a recall on the brake booster. My inspection was scheduled August 10, 2023 and I was advised that my vehicle was in fact a vehicle that had a defective part. The dealership has advised me that they can not provide a repair date for the recall because of parts being on back order. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. I hear unsafe sounds coming from the brake booster and pressing the brakes already feel different. I have advised the dealership that I do not feel safe and they said that they could not do anything about it. I also contacted kia corporation and advised them that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and they said that it was the dealership's responsibility to ensure that I have safe transportation. No one is taking responsibility and I am not feeling safe driving said vehicle. Someone needs to take accountability. I just purchased this vehicle brand new and have no other way to get to and from. Someone needs to contact me immediately.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle however, the brakes was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle started spinning and landed in a ditch and struck a wooden fence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,887.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v410000 (service brakes, hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v410000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 55 mph the warning message displayed "check brake system. " the vehicle was taken to the dealer that stated that no failure was found, and that the battery was not charge fully. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 1700.
The parts to repair the brake recall are not available. No date can be given for availability. We have been told not to drive the vehicle. No loaner car is available. This is totally unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v410000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced failure.
It has been 10 days and 1400 miles on this vehicle. Suddenly I got the emergency brake light warning to get the brakes checked. Emergency brakes is always on.
The vehicle has always had a bit of a breaking issue especially in cruise control. In may had an incident where it slammed on the brakes so bad that everything in the backseat flew up to the front. Again the driver did not break. I went in for it to be repaired which took several weeks and spent 5 hours at the dealership. Two days later the car completely shut down and I had to have it towed to the dealership and they will not give me any answers. I do not think I will ever feel safe in the car again. Loved the car but if the safety issues do not work and I could possibly be in an accident and other people, that is a major safety issue.
On the morning of may 16 2023 while making a turn at 17 th avenue and bayshore drive my car continued to accelerate in spite of me trying to brake. I was projected into a stone wall and knew I was going to crash . I crashed into the wall,all my airbags were deployed and the car smelled like smoke. My accelerator got stuck and was sideways . I was unable to get out of the car from inside but a good samaritan had opened the door from the outside and I crawled under the airbags and got out . The car did not go on fire but was still on when I was able to then turn it off . Police were called and I was checked at the hospital .
We have called 3 dealerships kia that is and our recall for the brakes is about 3 months or so old. We were told that they will not look at any cars for this because parts are not available but other cars like ours are thin in also how can a recall happen when there is no parts isn't that a must when a recall is this dangerous they will not even schedule appointments and this has been 3. 5 months. And now I read that an oil pump recall may affect ours and we cannot park in a garage due to it may burn the house down, this one has not been confirmed but no one will let us know about the oil pump catching fire or what vehicles it is for but I have seen its for 2023 ki Sportage all models. How crazy is kia not taking care of customer and we only have 13,000 miles on our 2023 kia Sportage awd xline. Thank you larry rowland 1402 w 17th st unit a claremore oklahoma 74017.
My warning light & description for check awd/4wd started coming on after the first road trip. It then came on everytime I drove the vehicle. Now the dealership service department is dealing with the main kia maintenance to determine why the light comes on every time the vehicle is driven, even half a mile.
On March 1, 2023, approximately 5 days after purchasing the vehicle, when turning the vehicle on at approximately 8:00 pm, the screen stated that "a possible condition with your hybrid control unit/low DC-DC converter has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment. " an appointment was scheduled from the screen. The car was then driven on the freeway. Several minutes later, all systems on the vehicle died. The vehicle lost all engine power, power steering, power brakes, lights, even the doors which were locked could not be unlocked. The vehicle was rolling slowly forward and was moved into a gore point.
The contact owns a 2023 kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, attempting to merge onto the roadway, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected. As a result, the vehicle collided with a semi-truck on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital and treated for whiplash and back pain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who did not diagnose the failure but repaired the vehicle's body damage. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA campaign number 23v410000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 11,000.
The vehicle flashed and alarmed a brake system warning while traveling on a freeway. Braking was soft. Took a longer than usual amount of time to stop the vehicle at that point.