10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,828 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #245

Apr 012022

Sportage

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle started to stall and would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine to cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #244

Mar 302022

Sportage

  • miles
While driving down the Interstate, the engine started knocking, lost power, and came to a stop on the Interstate. I was almost run over by a Tractor-Trailer. A Hero unit showed to push it of the Interstate and transport me and my children to safety. The engine did finally restart, but didn-??t have enough power to move and knocked very loudly. Called local KIA Dealer, who told me this is a common problem with 2013 KIA Sportage and it would need a new engine at my expense. It was not included in engine recall. The cost to repair is more than the vehicle is worth. I purchased the vehicle new and was never told this would happen. I am on SSDI and now without a vehicle and can-??t afford to buy another car, I can barely afford food for my children.

- Sugar Hill, GA, USA

problem #243

Feb 272022

Sportage

  • miles
Was driving my Sportage at 70mph when the car started knocking. I had to pull over as the car began to slow down and I could not shift gears. my mechanic advised that the engine had seized and a replacement was needed. I was advised by the manufacturer that my Vin was not included in the recall even though I-??m experiencing the exact recall defects.

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #242

Mar 162022

Sportage

  • miles
The engine in our 2013 Kia Sportage began making a weird clicking noise a few weeks ago. We called the Kia dealership and asked what to do and were informed that our car was NOT listed under the Kia Sportage engine recall for knocking engines. We were told to add additive to our fuel and it would fix the issue. It didn't and the knocking got worse. Soon, it was so bad and the car was moving sluggishly along the road. There were NO warning lights. We had the car towed to a Kia dealership and were informed the engine was BLOWN, but we still have NO warning lights (no check engine light, no low oil light, no overheating light). We had ZERO indication (other than the noise) that there was a catastrophic issue with the engine. This is a car that we use to travel highways with and it put my life and my daughter's life in danger. The Kia dealership is asking us to pay $7000 in order to fix the issue - when it's a KNOWN issue with Kia Sportages. The 2013 Kia Sportage (my car) is currently on the list for recall of this engine and somehow my VIN doesn't register as part of it, even though we have a blown engine, knocking noise, and NO WARNING LIGHTS.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #241

Dec 052021

Sportage

  • miles
Incident occured early Dec. 2021.While driving at about 20-25 mph, as I approached stop sign, the Kia suddenly started jerking and cut off. Lucky for me the car crossing stopped before they hit us (family of 5 in car)After having my mechanic (he is a pro who owns his own shop with several employees and a good reputation)come to my home (incident happened 3/4 of a mile from home thank goodness) he stated the engine had siezed, I towed it to Kia of Port Charlotte and they stated it was "normal wear and tear" and want to charge 8500 to fix it. The oil has been changed regularly, (2 weeks prior to incident)and this came out of nowhere- no noises or warning at all. I have since researched KIa and see lots of recalls and law suites on thier cars

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #240

Jan 172022

Sportage

  • miles
Engine locked up without warning or reason.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #239

Sep 142021

Sportage

  • miles
While driving my 2013 Kia Sportage at 70 mph from Wisconsin to Duluth MN, I heard a tapping coming from the engine. Very quickly, the noise escalated to a very loud knocking. At this time, I thought my engine was going to blow up while driving. I was very frightened by this experience. Then car shut off while I was driving putting myself and those behind me at rick of an accident, however I was able to pull over. I was alone. I had no idea what was happening and I was 75 miles from home. There was no WARNING indicator light to come on in my dashboard to inform me that there was an engine problem. After I steered my vehicle on the side of the road, I was able to start the car to get to the nearest gas station for help. There was no one available to help me. So I decided to drive my vehicle slowly home. That is when my engine blew-up and I could no longer drive the vehicle. I contacted KIA for Road Side assistance and they informed me the the tow would cost me near $560. Then I called my mechanic friend for a tow. After he arrived and looked at the engine, he looked over and under the engine and told me that a rod blew through the engine block. (Pictures available) My 2013 Kia Sportage was brought to KIA of Duluth the following day for repair. Kia of Duluth inspected the vehicle and informed me that a Knock Sensor Detection recall was not preformed on my vehicle and that my 100,000 mile Warranty had expired as I had 105,812 upon arrival. On October 27, 2021 I submitted a Claim to Kia Engine Settlement and have received no satisfaction. Further I was informed that I would be eligible for Towing and Rental Cost by Kia Consumer Affairs and KIA Engine and most resent been denied that as well. My 2013 Kia Sportage was valued at 10, 900 dollars when this happened on September 14th, 2021. I received no reimbursement. I have paid $2192 in towing and rental cost. This resulted in me purchasing a new vehicle.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #238

Dec 272021

Sportage

  • miles
Car engine started making a loud knocking / tapping noise, car shut off while driving down the road at 40 mph, I had to replace the battery, car started back up but is still knocking / tapping. No warning lights came up, I have 112,000 miles on it, I keep the maintenance up on it, I don't run it hard, I take car of it because I Love My car, I have NEVER had any issues before this. I did not receive a recall on it, but, there is two recalls listed on for it, this issue is one of the two recalls.

- Thurmont, MD, USA

problem #237

Sep 162021

Sportage

  • miles
During accelerating into highway traffic the engine shutoff suddenly and left us without power, which nearly resulted in my wife and I being killed by two separate tractor trailers that by the grace of god were able to swerve and miss rear-ending our car at 60 MPH. The car could not be restarted. After further inspection by the dealer this was a result of catastrophic engine failure due to connecting rod bearing failure. This has been a known issue with the KIA 2.4 liter engine. The bigger issue is that we were nearly killed by a known problem that was not addressed when it was identified and instead was left to WAIT to occur, which could have resulted in death(s). I cannot believe that KIA was allowed to proceed in the direction they were once this problem was identified. Our car has now been with KIA for nearly 8 weeks waiting to be repaired and they are now telling us that many of the old parts (Eg, Pistons) will be used when they rebuild the engine, verse replacing the entire engine. Every mechanic we have spoken with has stated this is incorrect procedure that will result in numerous problems down the road. This is not an acceptable solution to resolve a long term known safety issue.

- Edgewater, MD, USA

problem #236

Oct 062021

Sportage

  • miles
Driving at 75 mph, took foot off accelerator, and when placing foot back on accelerator, started losing power and had started to have a strong knocking sound then stalled. Was able to get started with the loud knock and get to a "safer" location. NO check engine lights. Car was running smooth prior to this with all current maintenance upkeep. Full daily driver. Will still start and will drive under 1500 rpm but shakes and stalls above 1500 rpm. Approx 122k miles

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #235

Oct 122021

Sportage

  • miles
While driving the car in local traffic at approximately 50 miles per hour the car started losing power and immediately started to have a strong knocking sound and then stalled. Fortunately no other vehicles were present. I believe the battery light came on but it happened so quickly. The car was running fine up to that point with no issue. The car has approximately 73000 miles so as anyone can see it has not been driven hard over 8 years. It was towed to Midas where the car was started and immediately a very loud knocking sound occurred. On further inspection it was documented as catastrophic engine failure. It was towed to my home where it sits with a broken engine. It is available for inspection from the manufacturer. I just had my brakes changed and the general inspection of the overall vehicle was said to be very good and the rest of the car interior and exterior is in near excellent condition.

- Manchester Ctr, VT, USA

problem #234

Aug 122021

Sportage

  • miles
The engine seized with only 83k miles on it. For some reason it is not covered under the massive KIA engine recall despite overwhelming amount of information online saying this is a worldwide problem.

- Lindley, NY, USA

problem #233

Sep 162021

Sportage

  • miles
The engine locked up on the vehicle while I was driving it. It just quit running in the middle of driving 60 mph traffic. I was on the expressway in the fast lane of traffic and it was in mid-afternoon traffic. No warning lights were on before it shut down. Vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and garage kept. It is available for inspection

- Taswell, IN, USA

problem #232

Aug 182021

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds however, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #231

Jul 112021

Sportage

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 73 mph, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood and saw fire around the engine. The contact stated that her boyfriend extinguished the fire with bottles of water she had in the vehicle. The police and fire department were called to the scene. A fire report was filed. The contact was not aware of a police report being filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics and remained at the second location. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Martinsville, IL, USA

problem #230

Jul 182021

Sportage

  • miles
Bought a 2013 Kia Sportage on July 16, 2021 form Holman Cadillac in Mt Laurel, NJ 08054. Two days later the check engine light appeared. Took it back to the dealer but they could not fix it. Holman sent it to a Kia Auto Shop. Car has been in the shop for 3 days. We are afraid it could be associated to the engine issues that have plagued the Kia vehicles.

- Stratford, NJ, USA

problem #229

Jul 132021

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles
Car stopped while at a stop light. There was traffic all around. We had it towed. Airport Kia ([XXX]) states it needs a new engine. They said they could not repair on a recall or product improvement because it had been too long. I spoke with Kia Corporate and they said there was a software update in April 2021 that was designed to (Product Improvement) to fix the engine issue. Once the software update was done the car would get a 15 year warranty. We did not receive information regarding the update or any other recall notices. We found out only when the engine quit. The car was still tied to the original owner @ Kia Corporate (per their records) - although they had [XXX] and her address as the Registered Driver. They did not contact [XXX]. Neither the dealership or corporate will help us with this issue. The engine replacement will be $6000. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #228

Jul 102021

Sportage

  • miles
Car stopped running while driving and the engine seized and locked up. Had my mechanic look at it. Put myself and others at risk being in traffic. No problems prior and no warning lamps whatsoever.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #227

Jun 172021

Sportage

  • miles
I was driving from Abilene, Texas to San Antonio, Texas, when coming up a hill, all of a sudden, I hear something pop, and then right after a loud ticking noise. I lost acceleration, and brought it down from 75mph, to about 15-20mph in order to pull over. My car then needed to be towed into Fredericksburg, and then was towed to a shop in San Antonio, Texas. After the shop reviewed what had happened, they said it was a bearing, and that there was a recall for that particular year and model. After calling KIA, they said they could not help me, as my VIN was not included in that recall; even though the recall (SC147) is for the 2011-2014 KIA Optima, Sorento and the Sportage. I was told that it only affected the 2.0L engine, and not my 2.4L engine. This information, along with my VIN # needs to be added to the RECALL, as it is the 'same' issue with all of those other vehicles. KIA does not want to help or assist. I asked for someone else, a high supervisor, but was denied. There were no warnings given, or prior symptoms before the failure. I was totally taken by surprise when this happened to me in the middle of no where.

- Tuscola, TX, USA

problem #226

Oct 162020

Sportage

  • miles
Sudden Engine knocking. Engine needs replacing. Recall placed for my vehicle type but not my specific vehicle.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

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