Structure Related Problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Sportage

Table 1 shows one common structure related problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Sportage.

Table 1. Structure related problems of Kia Motor Sportage

Problem Category Number of Problems
Body problems
9

Body problem #1

On xxx, while driving my 2024 kia Sportage x-pro prestige on [xxx] after exiting xxx, traveling west toward [xxx], the panoramic moonroof glass suddenly shattered without warning. It sounded like a gunshot going off very loudly inside the vehicle and badly startled both me and my service dog. The glass had no known prior damage, nothing had been placed on it, and I did not see or hear anything strike it. I pulled over and found the panoramic glass extensively shattered, with thousands of small fragments and areas of glass missing. I saw no evidence of an external impact. I received a superficial cut to my finger from a glass fragment; no medical attention was required. The interior sunshade was closed and prevented the shattered glass above it from falling directly onto me and my service dog. Glass fragments were still found inside the vehicle after the repair was completed. Multiple photographs document the extensive damage. The moonroof was repaired through insurance, but no cause for the sudden glass failure was identified. Kia America opened case #xxx, escalated the matter for additional review, and requested post-incident photographs and incident details, which I provided. Kia later stated it had completed its review, cited factory-warranty glass coverage and the absence of applicable campaigns, and declined further assistance. I was not provided with a diagnosed cause for the glass failure. This vehicle also has a separate recurring safety concern involving unexpected engine shutdowns while driving or in traffic, including a shutdown at approximately 60 mph the following day, may 10. Those incidents were reported separately to NHTSA under complaint #xxx. I am not asserting that the glass failure and shutdowns have the same cause. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Body problem #2

I purchased a used 2024 kia Sportage ex gas that showed signs of trim peel at 5,000 miles. My extended warranty said they do not cover trim. I noticed multiple cars in our parking lot experiencing the same issues on 2024 or older models. In addition, the low gas indicator does not appear on the infotainment system after the kia connect expired despite gas being as low as 32 miles projected (avg. 24 mpg normal range). The Sportage lane assists yellow indicator comes on sporadically when changing lanes without or with the turn signal on. The steering assist will turn off when you go through a intersection and is not reliable enough to even turn on as it will give you a false sense of protection and intimately turn off.

Body problem #3

While traveling at approx 65 mph on a clear, debris-free alaska highway in -5°f temperatures, the panoramic sunroof of my 2024 kia Sportage spontaneously shattered with an explosive sound. There were no vehicles in the immediate vicinity (nearest car was maybe 50 to 75 ft away) and no observation of flying debris or falling objects from overpasses. The failure appears to be a spontaneous glass breakage (sgb) incident potentially caused by thermal stress or manufacturing defect rather than external impact. Crucially, some of the remaining glass fragments and one large attached piece are displaced and flexed outward (upward toward the sky). There are also fracture lines in the remaining glass along and parallel to the sides of the vehicle as well as parallel to the front frame of the glass. They do not radiate out from a central point as one would expect from an object strike. This geometry to me indicates internal tension or cabin pressure release, as an external impact from a projectile would have forced the glass inward into the cabin. Additionally, there was very little glass in the vehicle cabin, certainly far less than one would expect given the size of the opening in the sunroof and the amount of glass missing. I have personally previously been in a vehicle whose side window was blown out from a vehicle kicked rock strike and in that case was showered with a lot of glass. Yesterdays catastrophic failure resulted in some glass intrusion into the passenger cabin at highway speeds, creating a severe distraction with sound was loud & sudden enough to potentially cause a loss of vehicle control. I am aware of similar reports regarding the 2023-2024 Sportage (and previous kia panoramic sunroof class actions) regarding the use of ceramic glazing or assembly stresses that contribute to such failures. I request an investigation into whether the current model's panoramic roof assembly is capable of withstanding extreme thermal differentials and body flex.

Body problem #4

My sunroof shattered without anything hitting it.

Body problem #5

Trim parts came off roof traveling on highway.

Body problem #6

The glass panel placed between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof blew out with no external forces. Looking at other cases from online, this appears to be a problem dating back to the 2019 model. Attached are photos from the date of incident (12/31/2024) from 1/3/2025 and 1/17/2025.

Body problem #7

Sunroof explosion.

Body problem #8

While driving down highway, roof molding came loose and started to bang against the roof by flopping.

Body problem #9

The sunroof exploded all of the sudden. I was driving on the I-675 highway toward wright-patt air force base and the sunroof exploded, barely maintained vehicle control. The shattered glass hit my head and my child legs. Some glass sand enter my eye. I manage to pulled over and check my car interior for any strange/outside object but there was no external object, nothing. Called the police, they also inspect the vehicle and found nothing. I’m very concerned about this, could cost our lives. Drop the car at the dealership and they said that definitively was a manufacturing defect.


Structure related problems in other Kia Motor Sportage model year vehicles:



★ Safety Ratings of Sportage Cars
✿ Fuel Economy of Sportage Vehicles
☤ Sportage Defect Investigations