2013 Kia Sportage engine problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

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 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Filed Aug 14, 202550,000 miAZTowedBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which had a warranty extension for the engine to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that…

   NHTSA complaint #11680633 · source
8. Filed Jun 23, 2025120,000 miVATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11668744 · source
9. Filed May 16, 2025PRFireElectrical SystemEngine

   In 2022, my 2013 Kia Sportage (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a spontaneous engine compartment fire while parked. I was unaware of any existing recalls at the time. The vehicle was stationary and turned off when the incident occurred. I extinguished the fire myself. There was no crash involved, but the damage rendered the vehicle inoperable. I later discovered that this exact vehicle is subject to Recall 23V652000, related to an electrical short in the Hydraulic Electronic Control…

   NHTSA complaint #11661375 · source
10. Filed Dec 4, 2024TXEngine

    My wife was driving and went around a semi and all ofthe sudden the engine stalled and she almost got hit by thesemi she had just passed. Next day towed it to kia and the said the engine had seized up but thatthe enginewas not warrenty because it had not thrown a knock senseor code. We have mainained this vehicle and gotten the update for the knock sensor and were about to give it to our son and get ourselves another kia. Dont think thats going to happen now thati know kia…

    NHTSA complaint #11628946 · source
11. Filed Nov 5, 2024131,000 miCATowedEngine

    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine, informing the contact that the engine had seized. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case…

    NHTSA complaint #11623732 · source
12. Filed Sep 6, 2024MIEngine

    My car has a recall on the engine due to the chance it could catch fire. I brought my car to the dealership to have them replace the recalled part and they returned the car to me without performing the work. They didn't tell me that they didn't fix the recalled part, but I happened to notice on the receipt a day later that it said "can't perform bulletin parts on backorder freeze".

    NHTSA complaint #11613064 · source

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