The 2023 Kia Sportage has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA, including 24 crashes, 1 fire, 14 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Unknown Or Other (49 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2023 Kia Sportage recalls
Roof Molding May Detach, Creating Road Hazard
The roof molding on certain Kia Carnival and Sportage vehicles may loosen and detach while driving.
Transmission Oil Pump Can Overheat and Cause a Fire
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components.
Brakes May Lose Power Assist, Increasing Stopping Distance
A brake booster diaphragm in certain vehicles may become misaligned, causing an internal vacuum leak.
Blank Dashboard Display Can Hide Warnings and Raise Crash Risk
Certain 2023 Kia vehicles have a digital instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD screen that may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
Curtain Airbags May Deploy Improperly, Raising Injury Risk
Some vehicles have side curtain airbags that may have been twisted during installation.
Loose Battery Terminal Nut Can Stall Engine or Cause Fire
A loose nut on the alternator battery positive terminal can cause the engine to stall or create an electrical surge in certain 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles.
Most common 2023 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 194 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 49 |
| Electrical System | 46 |
| Engine | 38 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 36 |
| Service Brakes | 30 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Back Over Prevention | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Lane Departure | 11 |
What owners report
I was driving on the highway going about 70mph and the car completely shut off. When off I couldnât accelerate or brake. I put my hazards on and pulled over. The car continued to turn off and on. It couldnât stay on. Still donât know whatâs wrong with it but a HUGE safety concern.
On Saturday,XXX, my vehicle was serviced (oil change and tire rotation) at Berwyn Kia, [XXX]. Shortly after leaving the dealership, I noticed a vibration that developed into a thumping noise from the right rear, worsening at highway speed. I pulled over and found three lug nuts missing from the right rear wheel, and most of the remaining lug nuts could be turned by hand. The wheel was at risk of separating from the vehicle. The dealership sent a technician to help me get back on the road. I have not driven the vehicle since. I am reporting this so there is a record of a wheel-retention safety failure following dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (
Power lose while accelerating (Especially on the highway), misfire causing rough idle. Code reading P0301 for fuel injector in cylinder 1. Kia is aware of this issue and has a TSB out for it however will not cover for the cost to replace the fuel injectors. Because of this issue my car does get up to speed in an appropriate amount of time causing a safety concern no only for me but for cars around me. This is also not a constant misfire and is unpredictable when it will happen.
The rear cargo window spontaneously shattered while car was parked. The car was taken for repair to Auto Glass Systems in Springfield Illinois. They do all the repairs for the Kia dealership locally. Upon inspection, they reported that the glass had no point of impact and was caused by an internal defect which was confirmed by the shatter pattern. They said they have had numerous repairs for the same spontaneous, shattering in Kia Sportage windows and suggested that we file a report.
When driving at speeds slightly above 50 mph between 1,700 and 1,900 RPM, maintaining light pressure on the accelerator pedal causes a noticeable physical vibration and shaking throughout both the pedal and the vehicle. To mitigate these concerning symptoms, I intentionally have to press down harder on the gas pedal, which helps immediately stop the shaking. This issue has been occurring consistently over time. While it has not resulted in an accident so far, it could raise safety concerns. I have reported this condition to Kia Customer Care twice, but no appropriate action or resolution has been provided.
2023 Kia Sportage safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (16.9% rollover risk) |
| 2023 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | Not rated | 5 | 5 | n/a |
2023 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 2023 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2023 Kia Sportage: Roof Molding May Detach, Creating Road Hazard; Transmission Oil Pump Can Overheat and Cause a Fire; Brakes May Lose Power Assist, Increasing Stopping Distance; Blank Dashboard Display Can Hide Warnings and Raise Crash Risk; Curtain Airbags May Deploy Improperly, Raising Injury Risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Sportage?
Based on 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (49), Electrical System (46), Engine (38).
How safe is the 2023 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2023 Kia Sportage up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2023 Kia Sportage has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.