10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,653 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Kia Sportage:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #151

Jan 262020

Sportage

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, a tapping sound emerged from the engine compartment, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (bev smith Kia of fort pierce, 5655 S us hwy 1, ft pierce, fl 34982), where it was determined that total engine failure was experienced and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 85,000.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #150

Jan 202020

Sportage

  • 69,900 miles
I was driving on a city street at about 35mph when all of a sudden I heard a loud knocking noise coming from the engine and then a pull on my steering I then lost control of my vehicle. I was very lucky as there was not much traffic coming and was able to get my car onto a side street where I was then illegally parked. I turned the car off waited about 20mins then started it again and the noise was much louder. I had to have my car towed to a local mechanic who then diagnosed the problem to be that my engine had seized. My car has always had its service every 3months or 3000 miles. There was no warning signs of any problems with my vehicle. I then had my vehicle towed to the dealer where they had their mechanics diagnose the car only to find they confirmed that yes my engine had seized. With only 69,900 miles and no warning what so ever that this could and would have happened.

- Upper Darby, PA, USA

problem #149

Jan 122020

Sportage

  • 2 miles
The car stopped working without warning in the middle of the road. No lights, smoke etc...it just shot off and did not start again. We were lucky it was a Sunday, traffic was light, and no other cars were immediately behind. I towed it to a mechanic and was told the engine stalled. The car has 79 K miles and has had oil changes as it should. I am being told by Kia this is not part of the existing engine recall, that I am a second owner (I bought it with 23,000 miles in 2016 as a certified pre-owned), yet what happened to my car is the same as described by other Kia owners whose cars were under recall.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #148

May 242019

Sportage

  • 78,331 miles
Bought the Kia Sportage in December 2018, 2 weeks after car started running hot, check coolant was a little low put coolant in still gauge kept going up to hot especially if at stop light or in slow traffic. Had some medical issues so wasn't driving car much so and it was cold out so didn't use ac. By may the car is overheating constantly, too to nally Kia. They added coolant, evacuation and recharge ac. $338.15. Next day car overheating, totally frustrated. Call maxcare plan, they wanted me to take back to dealer couldn't had to move and surgery scheduled, they wouldn't come pick up car. Car sat for 6 weeks it would get started but not driven. After 6 weeks, I drove it still overheating check engine light came on, took T to carmax, that was a waste of time they kept quoting prices but didn't look at the car. I left took back to nalley Kia they said I had an oil leak, iasked where and if that's why still overheating they couldn't give answer zo I left. Had my 2nd surgery drove car to savannah car overheated on ride down kept putting coolant, got a mobile mechanic that showed me it was my coils that cause the misfire cylinder 3 P 0303, airflow. He checked it out changed plugs, wires, coils and thermostat. $545 approximately. The car ran well for 2days then overheated he came and realized that the fan wasn't coming on at all. The fan is broken. He test to see if power was going to fan, it was.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #147

Dec 052019

Sportage

  • 155,452 miles
As driving vehicle stalled out. When I towed to mechanic, they told me engine seized and locked. I was searching on line looks like Kia has lot of problems with these engine and they are not safe.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

problem #146

Dec 072019

Sportage

  • 92,000 miles
We were driving down hwy 75 S the car was on cruse control, the engine began to rev up so I took the cruise control off, the car began to knock so I was making my way to the edge of the road when flames and smoke began coming from the rear of the car. Other drivers began to call 911 and reported my car was on fire. At this time I heard a load noise from the engine and the engine blew.I was able to make it to the side of the road and turned off the engine. Police, fire and roadside assistance all showed up. My Kia and the year are among the recall engine but my VIN number is not, so Kia consumer will not do anything to help me. I have done my research on here and have seen many other Kia engines on here the same as mine that have done the same exact thing but not been in the recall. It is time Kia steps up and does something about this.there was only 92 thousand miles on my engine all oil changes were good new air filter just installed and tires just rotated, I took very good care of my car it was not abused. But Kia is offering nothing to help. They did state that they will send it further up the chain. That could take weeks.

- Monroe, GA, USA

problem #145

Nov 172019

Sportage

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While driving 65 mph on the freeway, the engine seized without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle failed to resume normal operation. The insurance company towed the vehicle to the contact's residence where it was then towed to bob moore Kia northwest (7340 northwest expy, Oklahoma city, ok 73132, (405) 720-3800). The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 13445594. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Union City, OK, USA

problem #144

Nov 122019

Sportage

  • 57,070 miles
My Kia Sportage has 57102 miles, I know the Sportage 2011-2013 has a recall for engine recall number: 17V224000 recall date: 03/31/2017. Component engine and engine cooling:engine. My car has strong noise in the engine when you start and driving but the Kia said no recalls.why?

- Pleasant Grove, UT, USA

problem #143

Nov 132019

Sportage

  • 138,000 miles
My wife and seven year old son was driving down a 2 lane interstate going 65mph in her 2013 Kia Sportage 130,000 miles before the engine siezed up on her avoiding a collection with a semi. Called customer service and they had me take the vechical to the dealership for a good will check since it was out of warrenty. Dealership came back and told me I had proper mainentance records and there was no sludge build up in the heads. They told me they couldnt find any fault of my own for the engine seizing up. They then told me the district manager denied the good will based on no other vechicals not having this issue. Although I have read hundreds of reports of this happening to many 2013 Kia Sportages with fwd. This is not right. Kia needs to fix their mistakes! not only for the vechical failing but risking the life of my wife and son.

- Union City, OK, USA

problem #142

Nov 142019

Sportage

  • 75,000 miles
I was driving down a busy highway when I started hearing a loud noise coming from my car. Soon after this, the car stopped working. My three month old daughter was in the car. It was 10:00 pm which makes this highway much more dangerous and was going at high speeds. Was barely able to park the vehicle (thankfully I was on the right lane). I had the vehicle towed to my Kia dealer and after checking the vehicle they informed be that I needed a new engine. Even though there is an engine recall for 2013 Kia Sportage vehicles with the same exact problem, they claimed that my car is not included in the recall. I am now waiting to see if the warranty covers the damage. They want to inspect the engine first. Taking the engine down alone costs $1,000 if the warranty refuses to cover the repairs. My question is: Why isn't Kia repairing all vehicles with this problem"? why isn't my VIN par of the recall?" we could have lost our lives that day, including my 3 month old baby. Kia must be forced to cover the cost of replacing these faulty engines before lives are lost. Us, Kia customers, should not be forced to cover the cost ourselves. My vehicle is only 75,000 miles.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #141

Nov 072019

Sportage

  • 76,000 miles
The vehicle Kia Sportage 2013 began with a strong noise in the engine, we take it to the mechanic and on having removed the lid of the crank, it saw metal particles and we decide to stop to investigate the reason and verify in internet a recall SC147 of the engine

- Angeles, PR, USA

problem #140

Jul 172019

Sportage

  • 73,012 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While driving, an abnormal noise was coming from the engine and the check engine and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autogroup Kia (marginal kennedy, san juan, pr 00920, (787) 333-0122) where it was diagnosed that the engine bearings failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where the bearings were currently being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,012.

- Trujillo Alto, PR, USA

problem #139

Nov 032019

Sportage

  • 85,877 miles
Driving on a very busy city road, came to a red traffic light. Went to proceed as the traffic light turned green and nothing. The car just quit & would not restart. No signs or warnings that there was an issue. Motor seized. I was almost hit by someone who did not realize I was having car issues. Had my grand children in the vehicle with me. They were frightened by people honking and yelling at me and being stuck in the middle of a very busy road

- Painesville, OH, USA

problem #138

Jun 262019

Sportage

  • 0 miles
On June 26, car parked in shopping mall parking lot and car caught on fire (under hood) while I was at work.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #137

Oct 062019

Sportage

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic determined that bearing wear caused the engine to seize. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Rockland, CA, USA

problem #136

Sep 212019

Sportage

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving the vehicle and out of nowhere the engine starting making a pinging sound and 5 minutes later the car just shut off and wouldn't turn back on. I had the car towed to my mechanic who advised that the motor was blown, 2 spun rod bearings and the engine seized.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #135

Sep 122019

Sportage

  • 128,000 miles
Engine had a knocking in it. Took to a garage and was told engine had failed at 128,000 miles and needs a new engine. Called Kia and was told not on recall even though two other engines for this year are recalled due to early engine failure. Hoping this model engine will soon be on the recall list also.

- Norton Shores, MI, USA

problem #134

Jul 282019

Sportage

  • 132,000 miles
I returned home from vacation driving down my street and vehicle shacked then stalled. The vehicle started back as I was able to get vehicle home. The next day vehicle wouldn't start so I bought a battwry cause it was no power to the vehicle. After replacing the battery vehucle still had no power. Towed vehicle to shop that Monday and was advised my motor was locked up. I check online about my type of vehicles and learned there was a recall. I contacted Kia dealership and was advised that my VIN is not included in recall even though it done the same thing the recall advised would happen.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #133

Aug 102019

Sportage

  • 58,084 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While driving 40 mph, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to allentown Kia (2350 lehigh St, allentown, pa 18103, (610) 628-3126) where it was diagnosed that there was bearing wear, metal shavings in the oil, and engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 13301394. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the warranty did not transfer to owners. The failure mileage was 58,084.

- Alburtis, PA, USA

problem #132

Sep 052019

Sportage

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. While the contact's daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to smoke and shut off. The contact stated that "oil sprayed all over the engine" and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to andy mohr avon Nissan (317-279-3333, located at 8867 E us highway 36, avon, in 46123) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »