I was parked at the grocery store with the car idling in park. The engine suddenly died and smoke was coming out from under the hood. I honestly thought the car was about to burst into flames. A good Samaritan looked under the hood and it was still smoking but eventually stopped. The electrical system is fried and even the emergency lights won't work. There was a very strong electrical fire smell that hung around for hours. I looked up this model and it shows there was a recall with the electrical system & that there was a risk of fire. But this vehicle's VIN is not listed as needing a repair. We have purchased this car used and contacted the original owner. They don't remember ever getting a recall notice or having to do a recall repair with this. I don't know how the car didn't go up in flames because there was so much smoke coming from under the hood.

- Riverdale, UT, USA

While the car was off and parked in the driveway the car caught on fire in the passenger side of the motor. The entire front part of the car was totaled.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

The car has a rough idle. It will stall randomly, sometimes while in traffic. The computer has been replaced and numerous sensors have been checked. The problems occurred when we first bought the car used in December 2009. It was fixed but began happening again in the fall of 2018. The random stalling occurred again in late summer 2019 and has been a problem ever since.

- Canyon, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control and check engine warning lights suddenly illuminated and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local Kia dealer kocourek (2700 N. 20th ave, wausau wi) who diagnosed that the failure was due to a faulty wire harness that had melted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Birnamwood, WI, USA

On Tuesday August 28th 2018 my car was parked in an apartment parking lot, and had been off for 4 hours. I woke up to my car alarm going off at 12am. I looked out the window and the lights were not flashing on my car so I didn't think it mine. Not more than 1 minute later my car started on fire. Thank goodness my boyfriend was a firefighter. He called 911 and the fire was put out with 15 minutes. However my car was determine a total loss. All they could tell me was that it looked like it was an electrical fire. No one was hurt, but had I been at home that night in my duplex who I share with my neighbors and their infant, and parked in my garage my house would have been burned and I would be dead. It was a 2009 Kia Sportage and I had never had a single issue with the car in the 9 years that I owed it. I was the only owner so I knew my car was well taken care of. With Kia in the news a lot lately with car fires I can't help but feel there should be an investigation.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

2009 Kia Sportage LX complaint. We have recently been experiencing intermittent acceleration surging. The occurrences are random; hot or cold in D-gear at a stop-light or in park position. I've taken the car to the Kia dealer two times. On the second time, I was told that after a test-drive on the second day, the mechanic did notice the surging of the tachometer and the 'fix' was to re-route/loosen the cruise control cable. Two days later, the engine surging re-appeared. This is a dangerous safety concern that can result in injury to pedestrians, and other drivers. When the engine surge/racing occurs the tachometer goes up and down from under 1,000 to 5,000 RPM's. it has happened with my foot on the brake and while in park and in gear. During the latest event, we have a video taken with our I-phone showing the tachometer going up and down in the 'park' position. We are scared to drive this car because this safety defect can cause bodily danger as it lunges forward due to engine racing. I've also posted this safety defect on 'carcomplaints.com' to warn others. Goggling this issue on yahoo.com reveals others having similar problems. Can we get some help on this?

- Glenview, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 40 mph, the rear passenger tail light failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the light switch was replaced. In addition, when depressing the brake pedal or when the vehicle was in reverse, the passenger side turn signal light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the light bulb was replaced. The contact was also informed that the fuel cap and stop switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 11/03/16 the consumer stated the vehicle would not accelerate over 60mph. The vehicle would lose power. Updated 09/19/2017

- Chandler, AZ, USA

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

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the camshaft fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 1/15/16

- Summersville, WV, USA