Equipment Problems of Kia Motor Sportage - part 2

Catastrophic engine failure, no oil, over 3 qts low, oil light did not come on, 4 cylinder had no compression. In summary: on [xxx] oil light came on, how? I just had oil change on 7/28/25. Stopped to check oil, it was dry. Bought 5qts at walmart, put 3 qts in. Checked oil every day, started keeping 5qt jug oil in car. 9/1/25 took in to have checked for oil leak/oil change, no leak detected. Continued checking oil consumption everyday, adding oil all the time. . . Purchased 5 qts - 5 times between August & November 2025. On 11/21/25 took to auto shop my maxcare extended service plan sent me to for a few minor checks, including to check again for oil leak. There was no leak found but they did need to replace valve cover gasket - engine valve cover. Continued to check oil, added when low as needed. On [xxx] driving on highway, about 15 minutes at approx. 75-80 mph, started losing speed, had to really press on gas pedal to keep going, felt some vibration underneath engine maybe (?), engine light came on, I got off exit, went through intersection, car barely made it, pulled off on shoulder. Called for tow truck, it was cold, after waiting a while I turned car on to get some heat but the heat was not working. Auto shop car was towed to had to add 3 qts of oil to do diag test. Po304cylinder 4 misfire, po303cylinder 3 misfire. . . No compression on cylinder 4. No signs of visible oil leak(s). * had car towed to gerald kia dealer, naperville, IL their diagnostic test only indicated that spark plugs need to be replaced and recommend that I get a 3 part carbon body cleaning, at my expense. I told the service tech I would be right up there to see manager. He told me to first send him all my receipts for oil & oil changes, and he will see what he can do. Didn't hear back. Went there in person 1/9/26. Manager told me that his tech "forgot" to do one test, I waited 1/2 hour, those results did indicate engine needs to be replaced. But, kia is not paying for it. . . . . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informa.

See all problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

The dealership repaired the vehicle free of charge however, NHTSA has not confirmed the repair for recall sc292. The vehicle got repaired on January 3rd, 2026. The recall information is uploaded to reference. Manufacturer reports recall has been completed/closed as of 01/03/2026.

See all problems of the 2023 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

My sunroof shattered. No other vehicles were near me and after hearing a very loud bang, I pulled over to check to see of something hit my car. All looked fine, but I did not look at the top of my car until about a week later due to hearing wind sounds. I then assumed something must have fell out of the sky. Dealership said that they do not fix sunroofs in-house and towed it to a body shop near them. I was then quoted $8700 to fix! a friend suggested I check for recalls and found issues noted online.

See all problems of the 2025 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

Safety complaint description vehicle: 2025 kia Sportage hybrid lx 2025 mileage: ~6,000 miles issue status: ongoing, multiple dealer visits (3 attempts), unresolved related kia case number: [xxx] problem description the vehicle demonstrates significant highway instability and unsafe handling behavior under normal driving conditions. At highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), the vehicle exhibits excessive lateral movement and instability, especially after hitting potholes or uneven road surfaces. The car shifts horizontally after impacts, requiring immediate steering correction to maintain lane position. On grooved concrete highways (such as interstate routes toward [xxx] [xxx] ), the vehicle feels like it is floating and swaying continuously, even without strong wind conditions. The vehicle is also highly sensitive to moderate crosswinds (around 20–25 mph). At highway speeds, this results in noticeable rear-end drift and instability, requiring frequent steering corrections and creating concern about potential loss of control. Overall, the handling behavior is beyond normal expectations for this vehicle class and creates a safety concern at highway speeds. Safety concern these conditions create a risk of loss of vehicle control, particularly: -after hitting potholes at highway speeds -during moderate crosswinds -on grooved or uneven concrete highways the instability increases driver workload and raises concern about potential accident risk if overcorrection occurs. Repair attempts the issue has been reported to the dealer and service center three times, but no permanent resolution has been achieved. The problem remains reproducible under normal driving conditions. Additional notes concern exists regarding whether proper pre-delivery inspection (pdi) or alignment verification was fully completed prior to delivery, as the issue has been present since early ownership and persists at ~6,000 miles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The infotainment center screen in my 2021 kia Sportage is delaminating. The uv gel adhesive that holds the screen is failing. This is a known widespread safety issue as many controls are handled through the infotainment touch screen as well as the screen displaying the back up camera visability. You should force kia to fix this problem past 3 years /36000 miles! please advise me.

See all problems of the 2021 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

While highway driving, suddenly and without warning, the panoramic sunroof shattered and exploded. Nothing hit the vehicle. Yes, it is available I took a photo. Yes, the kia southern pines, nc saw the vehicle and damage.

See all problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

The contact owns a 2019 kia Sportage. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 22v703000 (trail hitches) and 21v137000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the recall repair requests were denied by the manufacturer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from under the hood. After restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained, and the contact was advised that a recall warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the costs. In addition, the contact stated that the recall was initiated prior to owning the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

On Monday, Dec 15 at approximately 3:30 pm I was pulling into my parking spot in front of my house. The vehicle suddenly revved loudly and shot forward striking a tree in my front yard. If not for the tree would have ended up in the kitchen. When parking I do not have to apply gas once I enter the lot as I can drift into the spot. I barely have to brake to stop the vehicle. The steering wheel airbag deployed, fortunately no serious injuries. The passenger front end was pretty much gone and two big branches were sheared off at ground level. Police responded, report #xxx [xxx] sheriff office. Vehicle is due to get to the body shop today or tomorrow. Fortunately this happened where it did as if it had been in traffic or around people it could have been very serious. This was also reported to kia. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

A month after buying my vehicle in February of 2024, while driving my vehicle the screen behind my steering wheel will black out and come back on and do a system check as if I had just turned my car on. It happens at all times of day, at all speeds. I kept a log of some of the incidences and there are no two that are the same. I have even been in park with the car on and it will happen. When you are driving with cruise control on and it does it the cruise control shuts off then comes back on after it has done the system check again. This is extremely dangerous while driving on the interstate and a line of cars around you. I have taken it to the dealership and they have worked with kia to try to figure it out and still have not been able to. I am now going on almost two years of this happening without any resolution. Below I put the last time it happened but this happens all the time and is not one isolated incident. I have attached a log I kept for two months of the incidences.

I turned on my vehicle and began driving in philadelphia. I noticed the dashboard where the speedometer was supposed to be was dark. The apple car play on the right side of the dashboard was on but no other components were visible. Such as turning signal, lane keep assist, speedometer, etc. I was on the highway and this was extremely scary. This vehicle has less then 200 miles. I’ve taken it to kia and they are looking into it. But this is a big concern. I have videos of this but it won’t let me add them to this file.

Awd lock engaged but not functioning and no error lights indicating the such. This made the vehicle slip aggressively on lightly snowed roads. Once parked it needed to be winched out as only the front wheels spun, not engaging the rear tires.

Driver window rattles at all speeds. Not a big safety issue but if it breaks because of the rattle or it falls down then it could. When I put a crack in the window it stops.

The sunroof shattered while driving without any sort of impact.

While driving on the parkway with my child and younger cousin in the vehicle, the car unexpectedly began to decelerate without warning. I safely pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. When attempting to restart it, the engine would not crank or turn on. Moments later, smoke began to appear from under the hood. Additionally, the engine, battery, and oil warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. This incident created a dangerous situation and raised serious safety concerns regarding the reliability of the vehicle.

My check engine light started blinking and the car was stalling out. I have now parked the car in my driveway. I bought the car October, 2024.

We only have 58,000 on our car . We had extremely low oil and light never came on it blinked randomly. We still had 2,000 miles left before oil change was due . Car was almost bone dry if we did not check we would have been in big trouble. We were told these cars are known to burn oil and we should come in every 3/4 weeks depending on how much we drive to have oil added . This is ridiculous! if this place is right about burning oil that should be recalled and fixed and covered . If this is the case, and not honored repair we will never get a kia ever again . I am reaching out to others as this is clearly a big issue ,not being addressed by anyone:(.

See all problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

I have a hybrid and 4 times now since we've owned it I experienced a lag during the transition from electric to gas power when I am stopped and try to move again (example at a stop sign or traffic light), which followed by a sudden, lurching acceleration when the gas does finally kick in. It's almost caused me to hit a car infront of me once and side swipe a car that was passing as I was making a turn because I wasn't expecting it to do that the 1st time it happened. It doesn't do it consistently just randomly as I said its only happened to me 4 times and I'm the only one that drives the car and we've had it since July 2025 I believe and it has under 4000 miles on it at this point.

The component that failed is the sunroof (glass) the sunroof exploded while driving down the street, glass splattered in my head, face, and body. I almost wrecked because it sounded like a gunshot. The component is being inspected by the insurance adjuster and dealership on 10/23/25. There was no warning lamp, message or other symptom of the problem prior to the explosion.

The moon roof imploded while driving at normal highway speeds with no cars in front of the car. There was no impact. The sunroof had not opened all the way for about a month before. Kia is not honoring the warranty.

*component or system: power window system / electrical system *what happened? the manufacturer issued a recall for a defect in the power window system. When I brought my vehicle to the authorized service center, I was informed that the recall repair applies only to the front power windows, even though the same malfunction and defect are clearly present in the rear windows as well. The manufacturer’s refusal to include the rear windows leaves the defect only partially remedied, which could pose a continuing safety risk. This appears to be an incomplete or inadequate recall repair, as all four windows share the same design and failure pattern. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the manufacturer’s limited repair scope meets federal recall requirements. *when did this happen? October 2025 the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes – the dealership confirmed the issue with all four windows but stated that only the front windows are covered under the recall. The vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer or dealer? yes – inspected at nalley kia 7849 mall pkwy, stonecrest, GA 30038 *were there any injuries, fires, or crashes? no *additional details / attachments-I can provide copies of the recall notice, service invoice, and correspondence with the dealership confirming the limited repair coverage upon request.

Clear coat paint is peeling. On top of hatchback. I don't know when it started, I just noticed it today 9-29-25. It is available for inspection upon request. No warning message prior to the problem. I went to dealer and they said the paint warranty expired in 1922 and there are no recalls and not extended warranties for this and kia has no responsibility that's why they only give a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty on paint.

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).

Driving, just left my house and turned on to the road. Sunroof shattered for no apparent reason. Owned vehicle for a year and half, no previous issues. No prior damage. No other vehicle around, clear skies and it shattered. The moving part, not the stationary part.

This is an issue of nonconformity according the florida lemon law: "florida's lemon law protects consumers who buy or lease new or demonstrator vehicles with persistent, significant defects, known as nonconformities, within the first 24 months of ownership. " my March 2025 leased kia Sportage was sitting for about an hour. I turned it on and the all the dash warning lights stayed on, hot air blew (no ac), and I couldn't shift out of park. I tried turning it off/on twice, with a few minutes in between attempts, and on the second attempt only the check engine light stayed on, cold ac blew, and I could shift. I drove 3. 5 miles home. About an hour went by, I started it again and the check engine light was still on. I drove it 2. 5 miles to the dealership, turned it off, and minutes later they started it to move it but the check engine light had gone off. They said another car almost the same mileage (4040miles) had the same issue and because the light wasn't on, the scan showed nothing. They told me to return if it happens again and not to shut it off because the kia dealer could not duplicate or reproduce the concern at that time. My vehicle is available for inspection and diagnosis, but the dealer said a computer scan wouldn't show anything. Something is definitely not okay and I do not feel safe. Although this incident was while traveling 20-40mph, I travel at high speeds on the highway during the week for work, and am very concerned for my safety.

Sunroof unexpectedly shattered at highway speed with no vehicles or obstructions present.

Driving at a speed of 45 mph the sunroof spontaneously exploded. No other cars to kick rocks in the indicate vicinity. No passing traffic. We heard a very loud boom and the sound of shattering and skittering glass. Sunroof and sunroof cover were closed. All windows were closed. Pulled to the side of the road, called husband, called kia to start warranty claim. Our safety was called into jeopardy as we had to drive over 150 miles to the kia service center, not knowing if any glass would work itself through or of the sunroof shade would handle the wind of driving. The kia dealership had only seen 1 Sportage and 1 telluride incur this damage. We also had to find our own way home, they could not offer us a loaner vehicle. Incurred expense of having to fly back home and will incur expenses of having to make the 275 mile journey back to get it once repaired.

Top clear coat started peeling on handles, mirrors and above the trunk.

Passenger outside rear view mirror the paint is peeling. It’s the original rear view mirror. Vehicle looks brand new except for that mirror.

See all problems of the 2018 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.

The vehicle was being driven southbound on i135, near mcpherson, KS, at highway speeds in good weather when the rear panel of the panoramic sunroof glass exploded/shattered for no apparent reason. The interior sunscreen was closed at the time or glass would have potentially fallen on the driver, thus distracting or potentially injuring the driver while traveling at highway speeds. The vehicle has not been inspected by the police as no criminal conduct is believed to have caused the glass to break. The local dealer claims no responsibility and doesn't even complete the repairs - send to a local auto glass repair company, which will inspect the glass when the new glass arrives. This appears to be a material defect or design issue as there have been multiple other kia owners who have experienced similar sunroof glass failures, including a previous class action suit against Kia Motors for a similar issue.

The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered upon entry in to the vehicle and closing the driver door. If the privacy cover closed, my daughter would have been showered with glass. I have tried reaching out to a kia dealer directly but have not received a response. I did notify my insurance so there would be a record and I am waiting for an adjuster to come out to look at the vehicle and document it. No warnings.

Fixed glass panel between the windshield and sunroof spontaneously shattered. There was no impact, debris, or outside force involved. The break occurred with a perfectly straight fracture line, which is characteristic of a manufacture defect stress-related failure rather than an external object strike.

I drove from work to home, which is less than 5 miles. I used my wireless charger for the first time since we bought it 4 days ago. When I got home, I turned the engine off and picked my phone from the wireless charger pad. The phone was extremely hot and so was the charger pad. It was scary that I thought it could start fire. I searched for this same problem online for kia Sportage owners (kia forum) and found out that many of them have the same problem. I emailed the dealership and the response was “…I have seen many articles that a year or older phone do get warm/hot which is why the newest one have built in cooling systems”. I don’t think the phone is the problem. When I touched the charging pad, it was so hot.

Horn stopped working.

Paint issue this vehicle has less than 4,000 miles on it and the paint (glacial white) is peeling. I took it to the dealer (I'm waiting for a final determination from them) and their thoughts are that it looks like someone chipped the paint and tried to fix it. They described it as looking like they'd used "white out". After researching other paint problems with kia vehicles, I have discovered other owners have had the same issue with their white kia and their pictures look the same as mine. . . The plan white undercoat is what appears like white out.

I bought my car and then I received a letter stating that it had 1 recall. I called kia to schedule the recall and they said there are 4 in total. I told them to get them all done because the closes kia is about 45 min from my house. I took it in kia called me said everything was done that I could go pick up my car. Then on 7/19/25 I am driving in the highway and my car stops accelerating I pull over turn off my car let it cool off and turn it back on. It moves and the moment I try to accelerate it the car stops again. Thank god I was able to arrive to a gas satiation at an exit and not have someone crash into me. I tried jump starting it and nothing. I tried turning it on again and smoke stated coming out from the engine. I had to tow the car to my house. I called my mechanic to check it and 3 codes showed up (c1611, c1612, c1613). I called kia to let them know the codes and that I needed them to tow my car to their dealership. They proceed to inform me that 1 of the recalls were not fixed (the fuse) had to ordered and was not done. No one had informed me that when I picked up my car. They are not wanting to give me a solution and I have called 3 days straight.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Sportage 🔎.