Table 1 shows one common engine and engine cooling related problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Sportage.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling problems |
In January 2026, my wife was driving our 2024 kia Sportage hybrid ex downhill in traffic when the hybrid system failed without warning. Cabin filled with smoke, lost steering control, and explosion shook the vehicle. She was surrounded by other vehicles and could have been killed or caused multi-car crash. Component failure: dealership diagnosed hybrid system failure after 2. 5 weeks. Vehicle at dealership awaiting repair. Failed components available for inspection. Safety risk: zero steering control downhill surrounded by traffic. Smoke impaired visibility. Explosion posed fire risk. Life-threatening danger to occupants and other motorists. Dealer confirmation: yes, confirmed by dealership. Repair pending. Warning symptoms: none. Instantaneous catastrophic failure. Critical issue: I discovered kia issued service campaigns for 2024 Sportage hybrids directly related to this failure: service campaign sc322 (January 2025) - hybrid control unit software failure affecting 2023-2025 Sportage hybrids built Feb 2022-Jul 2024 12v battery overcharge campaign - battery management system overcharging causing loss of motive power and "check hybrid system stop safely" warnings sc319 (NHTSA 24v-422) - motor-driven power steering contaminated circuit board causing loss of power steering never notified of campaigns despite being owner since may 2024. Nhtsa shows zero recalls, falsely indicating safety. By classifying defects as "voluntary service campaigns" instead of safety recalls, kia avoided mandatory federal notifications. My wife drove with multiple known defects kia failed to disclose. Vehicle under 2 years old, within warranty. This catastrophic failure and notification failure warrants NHTSA investigation. There was smoke and we called 911 and the fire department came out.
On December 24, 2025, while driving in traffic, my kia Sportage experienced severe lurching, bucking, and jerking, causing the engine to shut down. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, including a message prompting me to "turn engine back on. " the vehicle would not restart, necessitating a tow to horne kia. After several days of diagnostics, it was determined that a blown ignition fuse and a bad fuel pump relay were the issues, along with a battery replacement. However, just 19 days later, while attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle again bucked violently, and the engine shut down with all warning lights flashing. The police had to assist in moving my vehicle out of traffic, and it was towed to courtesy kia in mesa, az. Once again, no error codes were found. After further diagnostics, it was discovered that the same ignition fuse had blown and that the catalytic converter had "shattered. " the catalytic converter was replaced. Upon picking up the vehicle from the dealership, and driving less then 5 miles on freeway, the vehicle was bucking and hard shifting once again resulting in a third tow to dealership just 48 hours later after the previous service. The dealership ran several diagnostics under kia's tech line, which revealed that the engine pistons are slipping and not functioning properly, resulting in loss of compression. Per kia's tech line, a new engine long block was ordered and replaced.
I am writing to report a serious and dangerous issue with my kia vehicle that is putting my life and my family’s safety at risk. While driving, the engine shuts off completely whenever I come to a stop or press the brake pedal. I then have to manually restart the engine to continue driving. This happens frequently, including while I am in traffic or on the highway. I have come very close to being hit by other vehicles multiple times while my children were in the car. I already brought the vehicle to a kia dealership, and they informed me that the issue was fixed. However, within one week, the same problem started again. This clearly indicates that the problem has not been resolved and may be due to a manufacturing or system defect. I cannot continue to drive this vehicle under these conditions. I am requesting immediate assistance to ensure my vehicle is either: properly repaired and guaranteed safe to drive, or replaced with another vehicle if the defect cannot be corrected. Please treat this as a high-priority safety matter. I am sending this email as official documentation that I have reported this issue to kia headquarters in case anything happens to me or my family while operating this vehicle. I expect a prompt response and resolution. Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. Sincerely, [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] vehicle information: make/mode: 2024/kia Sportage VIN: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
When we were entering a major intersection, car strolled and rolled forward and stopped 3/4 thru the intersection. It would not restart immediately while cars were speeding by on both sides. It finally started. This is the second occurrence we took the car into the kia dealership. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Since day one of my purchase I noticed all warning light turned on and goes off while driving over an hour I thought it was normal as it’s my first kia so continue to drive and it did same when ever I go on long drive and after 2 months it started vehicle to loose power and I always has to stop and restart the engine. Continued with same issue and all of a sudden it stopped on interstate and this time the car bogged out and engine shut off which was a dangerous situation for my whole family as cars behind would have hit us and cause multiple car collision I called my dealership to add this issue on my appointment for first service so it can be taken care of and I dropped off the car at dealership and after road test they confirmed that yes it has issue where multiple lights comes on and off so they don’t really know what’s causing the issue but will try to change the infotainment screen which they think is the issue might solve it so they kept my car for more than 90days and got my car back with scratches on dash and digital display bit shaky but according to milestones look like they tested if the issue been solved. ????.
We had ~2100 miles on our vehicle. We had been driving on the highway for an hour when engine temperature warning light came on. We pulled over and turned off the car. We waited 30 minutes then opened the hood to inspect the coolant level. The coolant level was at "min. " we looked under the car to see if any coolant was leaking and no coolant was visible under the car. We turned the car back on and sat in park for ~1 min. The engine temperature warning light came back on. We turned the car off and waited one hour. We turned the car back on, stayed in park, and the engine temperature warning light came back on. We called kia and were towed to the nearest dealer. They inspected the car the next day and found no issues. Looking online, it appears that others have experienced similar issues with kias and I am writing this in case it is a systemic issue that can help myself and others.
Stopped at traffic light, light turned green and went to accelerate. Car died, all lights came on dash in oncoming traffic and car would not restart for minutes.
The contact owns a 2024 kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 17,000.
I was stopped at a red light in middle lane with traffic all around when the car just stopped running. After a few tries it started again.
Two issues that I've taken to dealership 3 times since purchasing vehicle January 2024. 1. Adaptive cruise control -- I was in right lane of 4 lane highway with cruise control on. A car in left lane took a turn to cut through median and my car thought it was a collision and hard braked and took my vehicle from 60mph to 35mph in a few seconds. If a car had been behind me, I would have been rear ended. They cannot "replicate" so I no longer use cruise control unless there are no cars around. 2. Timing has been off (loud clicking every time I crank) since a few months after I bought the car. I sent approximately 9 videos to the service advisor. Took it in 2 times "cannot replicate. " left it overnight at dealership "cannot replicate. " it's every time I first crank for the day. It's now louder and gotten worse. I have videos and can take more. I just want this fixed. Afraid I'll be stranded and it feels like they are pushing it farther and farther out so it will exceed warranty and they won't have to eat the cost to repair. It's been 1. 5 years I've been dealing with this. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated!!.