2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,614 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #7

Jul 022018

Sportage

  • 42,000 miles
This is complaint 2 of 2. the other complaint is in the category "air bags". will driving the vehicle the electronic stability control "ESC" off indicator lamp on the instrument panel came on. After shutting the vehicle off the indicator light would go off, only to come on again after driving a short distance. I took it to the dealer and the technician made the following comment: "ESC light is on because of the brake light switch is shorting out inside the switch." I explained to the dealer that the brake light switch was replaced by them as part of a recall on 9/7/13, and that I should not have to pay for a new switch. The dealer had to contact Kia directly, and Kia agreed to replace the switch for the second time. I now worry about the safety of my vehicle and as to why the replacement switch failed.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #6

Feb 022018

Sportage

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. While the vehicle was being driven, the ESC warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting); however the failure recurred. Smithtown Kia (726 middle country rd, St james, NY 11780, (631) 724-8008) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Miller Place, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 152016

Sportage

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. While driving 40 mph, the ESC indicator illuminated and the brakes engaged without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Richmond, RI, USA

problem #4

Sep 052016

Sportage

  • 118,300 miles
Last summer stop light switch was replaced per recall. Driving home at night about 65mph when the ESC light and check engine light came on and the car engine started losing power down to 20mph. Accelerator didn't work. I was only a few miles from home. Made it home. Next day ESC off light off. Did call Kia dealership - no help. Next day, drove 30mph for about 1/2 mile ESC off light came on on, lost engine power, made it 1/2 mile to work. Pushed ESC button. Later that day, ESC off light and check engine light were off. Drove 1 mile down a road 50mph when the ESC light and check engine light came on and the car engine started losing power down to 20mph. Accelerator didn't work. Drove 20mph for about 1/2 mile. Made it home. Dangerous situation - driving 60+ and ESC off light on and car immediately de-accelerates. Could have been rear ended.

- Monona, WI, USA

problem #3

Jun 242016

Sportage

  • 86,000 miles
I was driving down a busy road about 50mph when the ESC light came on and the car engine started losing power. I pulled over, afraid to drive but then proceeded as I was only a few minutes from home. I made it home ok and consulted my manual as to what that light meant. I pushed it in (so that it was now "on" because the light said "off" and it drove ok for about a day. Then with no light coming back on, the engine just started reving up really hard and loud..like it was stuck in neutral and it started to lose power. I barely made it home safely and noe I'm afraid to drive it. It just came out of nowhere...totally random. I have an appt to bring it in to Kia service center mon. Morning and am currently driving a rental car. It was a very scarey event because both time it gave no warning at all!!

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #2

Feb 162013

Sportage

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. When the gear was shifted from park into drive or in reverse, the electronic stability warning light illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 09V130000 (exterior lighting); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #1

Feb 162015

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
I was getting my oil changed at valvoline oil change in liverpool, NY. During the routine light check, the tech said that my brake lights weren't coming on when I brake, only the top brake light strip in rear middle. I had seen the "ESC off" light come on without any reason in the last few weeks. I also noticed that when getting on an interstate highway, my cruise control would turn on, but not set/engage. I researched online for these symptoms, and found there was a recall of Kia Sportages both in 2009 and in 2013 for a stop lamp switch causing the exact same symptoms. The NHTSA campaign was #13V114000. In calling the burdick Kia to get this replaced because of the recall, the service manager told me that the switch was replaced on August 2013, in compliance with the recall. Because of this, I can't get the switch replaced for free. I am just letting you know that there is still an issue with this condition, even with the 2013 recall and replacement.

- Clay, NY, USA