2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, most often about electrical system. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
99
Recalls
1
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Median mileage
15,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 37 of 99 complaints (37%).
  • Engine (27) and acceleration & cruise control (23) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 15,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid has 1 recall on file.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 5 Kia Sportage Hybrid model years we track.

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid problems by category

  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    37 complaints
  • Engine
    27 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    23 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    18 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    18 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    13 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    11 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    10 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system36
Engine26
Vehicle speed control23
Power train18
Unknown or other18
Service brakes12
Fuel/propulsion system8
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3

When problems happen (mileage)

4Under 10k210k–30k230k–60k60k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid complaints that list mileage.

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid recalls (1)

  • Recall 23V298000Apr 26, 2023108,936 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Recent 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 29, 2026CAElectrical System
    Was driving my child to school when the Hybrid System alert came on, I only had a few seconds to try and pull over before the car completely shut down, we lost all motive power. I was on a downward incline right in front of an uncontrolled intersection with very little shoulder as I live in a rural mountain town. Since the parking brake is part of the integrated system I did not feel I had full control of the car while pulled to the side and even moved a bit while trying to…
    NHTSA complaint #11767869 · source
  2. Filed Sep 16, 202643,000 miNJBrakes
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the message "Brake Carefully" was displayed. The contact slightly depressed the brake pedal to test the brakes and continued driving; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure was an electrical issue. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1BB200 was retrieved. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11764793 · source
  3. Filed Aug 27, 2026NVElectrical System
    I was driving my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid when the vehicle displayed a "Check Hybrid System"/ "Stop Safely" warning and suddenly lost motive power/acceleration. I was unable to accelerate normally. I had luckily pulled of the road that I was going 55 mph into a parking lot prior to the lass of power or I would have stopped right on the roadway with cars going the same speed directly behind me. This created a serious safety concern because if this had occurred while traveling…
    NHTSA complaint #11760098 · source
  4. Filed Aug 21, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Drop in power/acceleration! Upsetting, stressful & unsafe. Purchased brand new, Nov 2023. When this occurred approx. 35695 miles. I left work, got on the freeway, (only maybe 1-2 miles away) and was trying to accelerate to merge with traffic flow and could only go approx. 52-54 MPH. I tried to "floor" the pedal, but with no further acceleration. No check engine light turned on, only display message noting depleted battery/drained warning. Since…
    NHTSA complaint #11758663 · source
  5. Filed Aug 11, 2026CABrakes
    Electronic parking brake switch has failed. Yes the switch is available for inspection. Electronic parking brake can no longer be manually activated. Failure of the electronic parking brake switch has been confirmed by a dealer (Citrus Kia, Ontario, CA). Electronic parking brake switch has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warnings have been given regarding function of the electronic parking brake switch.
    NHTSA complaint #11756367 · source
  6. Filed Aug 4, 2026MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2023 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid has experienced repeated engine-related failures since October 2022, requiring multiple dealer repairs. The safety issue escalated in 2026 when the vehicle experienced sudden loss of acceleration while driving on highways. In April/May 2026, the vehicle lost acceleration twice within approximately 10–15 minutes. Warning messages appeared, including Check Engine Light and "Check Hybrid System – Stop Safely." The accelerator became unresponsive,…
    NHTSA complaint #11754862 · source
  7. Filed Jul 31, 2026104,000 miNYTowedElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11754033 · source
  8. Filed Jul 24, 202645,445 miVAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the engine seized. The hybrid engine message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and parked. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact reset the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy four-lane highway. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was…
    NHTSA complaint #11752684 · source

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Other 2023 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology