2013 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls

2013 Kia Sportage recalls (3)

• Recall 23V652000Sep 25, 20231,730,192 vehiclesPark outside
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

• Recall 18V907000Dec 19, 201871,653 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

• Recall 17V224000Mar 31, 2017618,160 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

  Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

NHTSA defect investigations

• AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open

  Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, …

• DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

  Loss of Motive Power

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

• EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024led to recall 23V877

  Engine Fires

  On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …

• RQ17003Opened May 18, 2017Closed Dec 22, 2021led to recall 17V224000

  Scope and Timeliness

  NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia?s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA?s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.Under the Consent Order, Kia agreed to a total civil…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2013 Kia Sportage complaints

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

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026CAEngine

   While driving all of a sudden my 2013 Sportage began shaking check Ingine light flashing. This happened out of nowhere. I pulled off to the side of the road, towed to Mechanic shop. They found that a piece of spark plug had broken off into the cylinder shaft. They said it was very unusual. I had it fixed through our local Kia Dealership but could never figure out how or why this happened. I would like to be refunded for this, if, it happened because of a faulty component &…

   NHTSA complaint #11764471 · source
2. Filed Apr 26, 2026GAEngine

   Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kia’s denial of warranty coverage for the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Sportage. Per communication with customer care, Kia denied my claim on the basis of “excessive mileage between oil changes.” However, this conclusion is not supported by sufficient evidence and does not meet the legal standard required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. My vehicle received regular oil changes at intervals ranging…

   NHTSA complaint #11733886 · source
3. Filed Dec 14, 2025ALEngine

   My engine failed due to the knock sensor recall a known issue on my 2013 Kia Sportage the recall is supposed to provide a lifetime warranty but I was denied coverage because the failure happened before I was able to perform the update as I was a new owner to the car and was unaware of the recall at the time I have been going back and forth with the kia dealership for almost 8 months now 4 of those the car was at the dealership because they said I had to pay a $170 the fee…

   NHTSA complaint #11704971 · source
4. Filed Nov 21, 2025NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 oil . The oil was changed by Myself and I have receipts every 5k miles or less. I was turned down for what KIA tech line said Insufficient maintenance . As in they are calling me a liar . I bought 5w…

   NHTSA complaint #11700819 · source
5. Filed Nov 20, 2025KYCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact added that the collision threw her daughter forward and backward, and the contact's daughter sustained neck, shoulder, and lower back injuries, and surgery on her neck was needed. A police…

   NHTSA complaint #11700646 · source
6. Filed Oct 11, 2025GAEngine

   While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the freeway, we would have been stranded in the fastest lane with no shoulder and with traffic approaching from the rear at 70mph. Thus we likely avoided catastrophe. There was no warning light. The problems…

   NHTSA complaint #11692682 · source
7. Filed Oct 7, 2025NYEngine

   Have been denied replacement of 2013 Kia Engine due to insufficient records. The KSDS had been installed May 7, 2021. Was told because I did my own maintenance and I have receipts and dates when the maintenance was done reason for being denied. I used 5W 20 full synthetic motor oil which was over and above what the car called for and a new oil filter every time which shows on my receipts. Obvious by looking at the vehicle that it was in good shape and maintained well for…

   NHTSA complaint #11691810 · source
8. Filed Aug 18, 2025WIEngine

   my vehicle, 2013/ SL Sportage recently suffered catastrophic engine failure. I received a renotification from Kia regarding the software updates. Barely a week, [XXX], my engine seized in traffic due to rod failure which the software update could have prevented according to Metro Kia of Madison. I was also told by the same Kia authorized dealer that the repair would cost me $11,000 out of pocket in addition to the diagnostic fees of $210.87. I also contacted Kia Consumer…

   NHTSA complaint #11681448 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 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