2023 Kia Sportage engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026TNEngine

   Power lose while accelerating (Especially on the highway), misfire causing rough idle. Code reading P0301 for fuel injector in cylinder 1. Kia is aware of this issue and has a TSB out for it however will not cover for the cost to replace the fuel injectors. Because of this issue my car does get up to speed in an appropriate amount of time causing a safety concern no only for me but for cars around me. This is also not a constant misfire and is unpredictable when it will…

   NHTSA complaint #11769815 · source
2. Filed Jul 29, 2026KYElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving the vehicle yesterday, had no problems and then when making a right hand turn the vehicle completely locked up. The brakes and steering column locked and the vehicle completely shut done. The dashboard lit up and the windows still worked but there was not power to the engine. Attempted to JUMP the car, unsuccessful, ultimately called a AAA who used a battery box and the car started. This happened once previously when the car was 6m-1year old and it…

   NHTSA complaint #11753463 · source
3. Filed Jun 30, 2026120,100 miNCEngine

   The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH on the highway, the engine and oil check warning light was illuminated. The Kia App alerted the driver to check the engine when convenient. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal rod bearing…

   NHTSA complaint #11747362 · source
4. Filed Jun 25, 2026NCEngine

   It was roughly 2000 miles since my last oil change on my Kia Sportage. A spot of oil appeared in my driveway. I thought it could be from a delivery truck. I started parking my car in another spot and didn’t see anymore oil on the pavement. Three days later the low oil light came on. I had my car towed to a Mavis tire center they found that the oil drain plug was loose. They told me the car needed to go back to the dealership. They gave me a copy of a memo that they have sent…

   NHTSA complaint #11746544 · source
5. Filed Jun 11, 202648,000 miNCElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon coming to a stop at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the infotainment screen was turned off. The contact stated that the vehicle became operable after approximately two minutes. The contact stated the failure was recurrent. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11743585 · source
6. Filed Jan 14, 2026PACrash1 injuredTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   I was parked in a spot outside the Service Department of John Kennedy Ford, waiting for my son, who was getting his car serviced. I couldn't see the door of the Service Department, so I decided to move to a position in which I could see my son exit the Department. I put the car into Reverse to exit the spot and it accelerated at an uncontrollable rate of speed backwards, striking two cars parked outside the Service Department, pushing them into other vehicles in the parking…

   NHTSA complaint #11710944 · source
7. Filed Dec 31, 2025NYElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Frequently while driving my 2023 Kia shortage Hybrid will accelerate on its own. This happens randomly while driving straight as well as making turns. My suv also has a vary hard time driving uphill. If im driving at 25 mph when approaching the hill, my car then gradually drops down to 10-15 mph.This is extremely scary especially when driving with my children in the car. I haven’t owned the vehicle for a year and don’t know why it’s performing this way.

   NHTSA complaint #11708121 · source
8. Filed Nov 28, 2025COBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2023 Kia Sportage AWD has several ongoing safety issues that have been happening for over a year. The car stalls or hesitates at low speeds and during acceleration. I hear grinding or whining noises from the front end and drivetrain. My brakes wore out very early and still feel inconsistent, and the automatic braking acts unpredictable. The AWD system sometimes feels unstable when I try to accelerate. The tire pressure warning light comes on often even when the tires are…

   NHTSA complaint #11701844 · source
9. Filed Nov 18, 2025PABrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   Initially in May 25, my Sportage started accelerating on its own, unprompted, up to 4500 RPMs many times and also hesitated. In 6/25 the info screen, (whole dash) went black 4-5 x’s for about 3minutes while driving 60 mph on bypass. Beginning of July, Siri didn’t work and said it was inaccessible, and also the navigation said it was not updated however, when I pulled into the dealer, all of a sudden it worked? On 7/23 I was turning into apt complex and had no brakes! I had…

   NHTSA complaint #11700174 · source
10. Filed Sep 8, 2025OHElectrical SystemEngine

    On [XXX] the vehicle randomly went into limp mode. Wouldn't restart until it was jumped. Previous to this, the vehicle had already done this twice before. Exact dates unknown. On [XXX], the vehicle went into system check while I was driving it on 3 different occasions. The car shuts down by itself. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint #11685704 · source
11. Filed Aug 12, 2025OHBrakesEngine

    Purchased a CPO Sportage XPro April 2025. As I am unfamiliar with the mechanisms of Kia, unbeknownst to me, my engine revved the first week of purchase. Since this incident, the engine has revved while braking on [XXX] while driving down a city street. The next incident occurred on [XXX] , while exiting the highway and coming to a stop. My passenger, who happens to be a mechanical engineer asked if bumped the gears for the engine to revv as it did, which I did not. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11680283 · source
12. Filed Jun 16, 2025ALBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The issue appears to involve the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system or the transmission fluid/lubricant pump. The vehicle jerks or hesitates when accelerating from a stop, as if struggling to shift properly. The check engine light comes on repeatedly. This issue is ongoing, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The jerking and hesitation when trying to drive, especially from a stop or when merging into traffic, poses a safety risk to myself…

    NHTSA complaint #11667091 · 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