10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,996 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #28

Aug 072023

Sportage

  • miles
My A/C didn't work, then I noticed that none of the interior lights worked either when I took it to the repair shop. After many tests, they sent my car to a KIA dealership where they diagnosed the problem as the main wiring assembly needed to be replaced.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #27

Oct 012022

Sportage

  • miles
the check engine light blinked and i lost power as i was driving. they replaced my engine and now i have 6 lights on my dash.

- Belington, WV, USA

problem #26

Nov 142022

Sportage

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the cabin started filling up with white smoke and she could smell a burning plastic odor. The contact continued driving to her destination. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact attempted to place the vehicle into park(P) and the shift knob failed to move to park(P). The contact was able to shift to drive (D), neutral(N), and reverse(R). The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who took the console apart and was able to get the knob from being stuck. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer to be diagnosed for the burning odor. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Mariposa, CA, USA

problem #25

May 222021

Sportage

  • miles
Something is wrong with the output on the ECU/ECM. At first, my car would just randomly turn off and not start. This happened in the street at a red light, in parking lots and pulling into gas stations. Now the car does not turn on at all. I have a push to start so it clicks and tries to turn on. I took it to a mechanic and was first told it was the fuel pump, that was replaced but wasn't the issue. The vehicle was taken to a kia dealership who ran a test and showed the ecu/ecm was not giving enough output to tell the car to engage and start.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 022021

Sportage

  • 148,000 miles
On interstate the cruise comes on by itself and hitting the brakes, turning to cruise off does not shut it off. It keeps excelerating 10 miles at a time. Happened 4 times. Traveling 72 mph, turn onto exit car will not slow down, keeps excelerating.. car is dangerous dealer says never happened as the computer says cruise and brake never used.

- Brewer, ME, USA

problem #23

Oct 162020

Sportage

  • miles
My knob that turns the fan on or off quit working and it turns out that it was melted all the way inside and it was melted from the sparks that were occurring inside where they couldn't be seen

- White Oak, TX, USA

problem #22

Jun 122020

Sportage

  • miles
Purchased vehicle at a reputable dealership in March 2019. On June 12,2020, vehicle would not start while stationary in the driveway of my residence. Roadside assistance diagnosed dead battery. Took vehicle to the Kia dealership where I purchased the car to request new battery. They are stating that the car now needs a new battery and a fuel pump. I had no electrical or fuel related before June 12, 2020.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #21

Nov 012019

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The vehicle must be jumped in order to start if it has been off for more than 2 hours. This began in November 2019. The battery and alternator both test fine. It will start if it's been driven more recently. Also, the check engine light comes on periodically, as does the tire pressure light, even though no issues are detected.

- Cedar City, UT, USA

problem #20

May 302019

Sportage

  • 117,785 miles
Was driving in Cruze crontrol stepped on the gas and vehicle died. I pushed the start button nothing but a warning sign on dash screen that would go blank before I could see what it said. I lifted the hood and check the battery cables they were on tight got back in the truck push the button nothing smelled wires burning seen smoke top of my motors on fire. I was heading North on I-5 near the dupont exit.

- Tumwater, WA, USA

problem #19

Aug 172016

Sportage

  • miles
Everyone I know there bluetooth will not work. Most important the check engine has been on every time and it saids that is oxygen sensor it gets fix with in 7 months comes back again with the same issue.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #18

Apr 122016

Sportage

  • miles
As time wait on engine deteriorated the car would stop and not move, even while driving. Break lights go out every 3 months got a ticket because of it. Then radio burnt out, after those issue. I got the car brand new, all ways got oil changes as well as the tune ups. Took issue to Kia and they kept saying everything was fine. After they worked on issues the bill was over 1000. After all the work done there is still problems with the car. See on credit karma my car has 5 recalls. I need a letter stating the recalls on my vehicle, because Kia has not helped with the problems on the car and I can't afford getting more work done on the car. After showing them this app they still won't work on it with out a letter. Really need help thanks you.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #17

May 012019

Sportage

  • 105,500 miles
The rear lights are turned on for night driving they all blink randomly as well as rear license plate light

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #16

Mar 122019

Sportage

  • 168,128 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the transmission gear shift was stuck and would not move. The contact had to hit the gear shift button in order for it to operate. In addition, the radio malfunctioned and would not work and the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to hit the key with a screwdriver in order for it to loosen up. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 168,128.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #15

Jul 112018

Sportage

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of traffic. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. During each failure, the contact smelled a burning odor through the ventilation system. The contact received assistance from bystanders and pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to scott Kia of springfield (321 baltimore pike, springfield, Pennsylvania 19064, (610) 544-0100) where it was initially diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. Upon a second assessment, the dealer stated that the wires were loose in the vehicle, and that it was probable that animals/rodents had eaten away at the wiring of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the wires were burnt. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 12749312. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #14

Apr 232018

Sportage

  • 100,000 miles
My car's shift button suddenly became stuck in the handle and I cannot "park" my car or turn off the key. I drove it to college, as I was stopped in the parking lot, with my foot on the brake, and pressed the button to put the car in park. The button pushed in and became "stuck or locked" in the handle. The car wouldn't do anything but go into N or D but nothing else. After pushing the shift lock button, I was able to get the car into park "kinda". the key won't turn past axl mode, therefore the keys are stuck in the ignition and the battery becomes drained. Because I don't believe the car is fully in P, I set the park break and unhook the battery.

- Republic, WA, USA

problem #13

Jul 142017

Sportage

  • 63,000 miles
While driving car just dies in the middle of traffic going like 45mph coast off the road. No check engine light has fuel engine will turn over but not start. Had it towed to the Kia dealer July 17,2017 was told it could be one of two things the factory security system or the ECM so the dealer changed out the security system the problem still exist so ECM is next was told sorry there are no ECM, S for your vehicle in the us. Will have to check with the manufacture couple days later they tell me it has to be built there are none in stock and the earliest we will get one would be Aug.23,2017. Today Aug.24,2017 called to check on the status of the part and got a new date (a promise date) of Sept.2,2017 but that's not guaranteed "???" this car just dying while going down the road in the middle of traffic is a safety concern and no parts available for over a month makes me wonder how many other people have experienced this same issue. My car has only 63000 miles on it. Thanks for looking into this issue and all issues helping the consumers when the manufactures won't. thanks again.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #12

Dec 012016

Sportage

  • 27,000 miles
2011 Kia Sportage at times won't start but all lights and radio and electrical stuff work. Had new battery put in and checked out it is not battery. It is doing this more and more and I have to let it set for long periods of time then it will start. It can't be boosted off either when this happens. It started and has never stopped.please help.

- Sneedville, TN, USA

problem #11

Dec 022013

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 19,000 miles
The stop lamp switch in this vehicle intermittently malfunctions. The malfunctioning stop lamp switch has caused the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed. Additionally, the malfunctioning stop lamp switch has resulted in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

- Ramsey, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jun 042014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
Affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and causing the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. ***spoke to owner and they said there was no crash

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 172014

Sportage

  • 150,000 miles
While changing the driver side headlight bulb, I noticed that the connector had burned and that the wires going to the connector were not connected to each other due to the burning. I noticed when barely grabbing the back of the bulb, that the electrical harness for the main light would spark and started to smoke causing the headlamp enclosure to fill with soot and smoke. Small sparks can be seen when trying to remove the headlight bulb itself as well as when trying to adjust the wires. The passenger side wiring has no defects or damage.

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

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