Problems › Kia › 2013 Sportage
2013 Kia Sportage Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~27.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 15 Kia Sportage years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Kia Sportage, cited in 300 of 380 filed complaints (79%).
Service Brakes is next (25 complaints, 7%), followed by Electrical System (22), Power Train (18), Engine And Engine Cooling (14).
Across all complaints, 5 report a crash, 22 report a fire, 6 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 2 crash, 3 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Sportage, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 380.
Engine 300 2 crash 18 fire 1 injury
“ENGINE IS KNOCKING COMMON ENGINE FAILURE ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM?”
NHTSA complaint #11243931, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)
“I have a Kia Sportage Ex 2013 and this motor vehicle has a fire and explotion in the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11562489, 2023 · crash · fire
“In 2022, my 2013 Kia Sportage (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a spontaneous engine compartment fire while parked. I was unaware of any existing recalls at the time. The vehicle was stationary and turned off when the incident occurred. I extinguished the fire myself. There was no crash involved, but the damage rendered the vehicle inoperable. I later discovered that this exact vehicle is subject to Recall 23V652000, related to an electrical short in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) that can result in an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or driving. As of now, the recall…”
NHTSA complaint #11661375, 2022 · fire
Unknown Or Other 27 1 crash 3 fire
“While driving on the highway there was a 'pop' sound and then the smell of smoke. After pulling over to the side of the highway, roughly 20 seconds later, smoke was pouring out of the front of the vehicle and within a minute it was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11518710, 2022 · fire
“ON JUNE 26, CAR PARKED IN SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE (UNDER HOOD) WHILE I WAS AT WORK.”
NHTSA complaint #11271022, 2019 · fire
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH MY KIA SPORTAGE WENT DEAD. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER THAT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE KIA WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED BY MECHANICS, WHO SAID THAT THE ROD BEARING WENT BAD AND IT SEIZED THE ENGINE. THE STARTER WAS ALSO FRIED IN THE PROCESS. KIA AGREED TO REPLACE THE PARTS BUT WOULD NOT AGREE TO PAY THE APPROXIMATELY $2500 LABOR COST. THE VEHICLE STILL SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR. IT'S BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS NOW. I PLAN TO PURSUE HAVING KIA PAY FOR THE LABO…”
NHTSA complaint #11152115, 2018 · fire
Service Brakes 25 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury
“KIA SPORTAGE 2013 PLATE. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON APPROACH TO JUNCTION DESPITE PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL. RESULTED IN CRASH AND INJURIES SUSTAINED. MALFUNCTION OF ABILITY TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKE IN ADDITION, ON ONE OCCASION. CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. HAVE INFORMED MANUFACTURER. AWAITING INVESTIGATION OUTCOME. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10645000, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while at a stop light, smoke was present from the vents inside the cabin. Later, while attempting to park more smoke was coming from under the hood and the neighbor also witnessed flames coming from the front of the vehicle. No further information was available. The contact indicated that the fire self extinguished and no fire department was contacted. The cause of the fire was not determined and the vehicle was not yet towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was includ…”
NHTSA complaint #11635109, 2025 · fire
“We were driving down the road and heard a whine. About 2 minutes later there was a pop in both front wheels locked we could not move and we cannot get them to unlock”
NHTSA complaint #11580042, 2024 · fire
Electrical System 22 5 fire
“In 2022, my 2013 Kia Sportage (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a spontaneous engine compartment fire while parked. I was unaware of any existing recalls at the time. The vehicle was stationary and turned off when the incident occurred. I extinguished the fire myself. There was no crash involved, but the damage rendered the vehicle inoperable. I later discovered that this exact vehicle is subject to Recall 23V652000, related to an electrical short in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) that can result in an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or driving. As of now, the recall…”
NHTSA complaint #11661375, 2022 · fire
“MY 2013 KIA SPORTAGE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE THE GAS PEDAL DIDNT WORK I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE”
NHTSA complaint #11407958, 2021 · fire
“ON JUNE 26, CAR PARKED IN SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE (UNDER HOOD) WHILE I WAS AT WORK.”
NHTSA complaint #11271022, 2019 · fire
Power Train 18
“KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 oil . The oil was changed by Myself and I have receipts every 5k miles or less. I was turned down for what KIA tech line said Insufficient maintenance . As in they are calling me a liar . I bought 5w 20 full Synthetic oil and filters on 12 occasions from Walmart that Fit my 2013 KIA Motor The weight was recommended by…”
NHTSA complaint #11700819, 2025
“I had my vehicle in for a recall from Kia PI2103 for Kia to update the software in my Kia Sportage. Which was to install software that could help my engine from failing. This was performed on January 19th 2024. Along with this recall they were supposed to extend my warranty to 15 yrs 150,000 miles. Shortly after aout 500 miles later and a few weeks my engine developed a knocking noise. I took back to the dealer that performed the recall to have it diagnosed. They advised that it needs and engine and is part of the campaign but they needed to get prior authorization. After a month went by Kia d…”
NHTSA complaint #11576748, 2024
“I was traveling at approx. 65 miles an hour in the #3 lane in traffic, when I lost power suddenly as if the engine died. I was able to immediately exit the freeway at the first exit and pulled into a gas station. (Approx. 2 blocks from the freeway exit) I noticed a light on the dash was lit in the shape of an engine that wasn't lit before. At this time, I heard an unusual loud knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. I had just come from the store and had frozen food in the car. I didn't know what was causing the noise it didn't sound good and decided to just have AAA tow it to my ho…”
NHTSA complaint #11484731, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling 14 1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT HAD TO IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO PRODUCE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKED OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO KIA OF AUGUSTA (1770 GORDON HWY, AUGUSTA, GA 30904, (706) 312-9200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROD ARM OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE ROD ARM KNOCKED A WHOLE IN THE ENGINE, WHICH CAU…”
NHTSA complaint #11171811, 2019 · fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his son was driving 45 MPH, he observed a loud noise coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that code: P1326 (KSDS – Possible bearing wear) was retrieved using a handheld diagnostic machine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11565963, 2024
“The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate intermittently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her destination and after parking the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. Upon invest…”
NHTSA complaint #11539787, 2023
Fuel/Propulsion System 7 3 fire
“While driving on the highway there was a 'pop' sound and then the smell of smoke. After pulling over to the side of the highway, roughly 20 seconds later, smoke was pouring out of the front of the vehicle and within a minute it was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11518710, 2022 · fire
“MY 2013 KIA SPORTAGE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE THE GAS PEDAL DIDNT WORK I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE”
NHTSA complaint #11407958, 2021 · fire
“My daughter has a 2013 Kia Sporage. Last week she was driving and the engine kept cutting off on the highway. She has had the recalled engine replaced last year and has 33,000 miles on it. When we took it to be checked out the guy said it could be the timing chain. The dealership said that was unlikely. It sounds like it’s not getting gas, so we put fuel injector cleaner in and it still isn’t running.”
NHTSA complaint #11570386, 2024
Structure 6
“Driver side door will not open from the outside. Handle no longer operates.”
NHTSA complaint #11728871, 2025
“INTERIOR DOOR PANELS EXPANDED DUE TO WEATHER (HEAT IN CALIFORNIA) AND DOORS CANNOT BE PULLED OPEN. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, PASSENGERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR DUE TO THE EXPANDED INTERIOR DOOR PANELS.”
NHTSA complaint #11252445, 2019
“ENGINE SEIZED WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY. MILEAGE 58K. CHANGE OIL 30 DAYS AGO. NEW BATTERY. CALL FOR RECALL SINCE 2007. DEALER KIA IN BAYAMON PR, REPLIED THERE WAS NO A RECALL. JUST A NOTE BUT NOTHING FOR PR. CALLED KIA AND SAID MY VIN # IS NOT ON THAT RECALL. PR IS NOT INCLUDED ON DEALERS TO CHANGE ENGINES LIKE ALL OTHERY STATES. PLEASE VERIFY AND INVESTIGATE”
NHTSA complaint #11163414, 2018
Suspension 6 1 fire
“We were driving down the road and heard a whine. About 2 minutes later there was a pop in both front wheels locked we could not move and we cannot get them to unlock”
NHTSA complaint #11580042, 2024 · fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN SHE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEELS SHIFTED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11327394, 2019
“THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED AND SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. A NEW WHEEL BEARINGS WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED. AGAIN IT SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS BEING TOWED TO SHOP FOR THIRD REPAIR. IT WAS RECOMMENDED I LOOK UP RECALL ON CAR NOTICED THERE WAS ONE RECALL AND 114 COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE FOR 2011-2014 SPORTAGES.”
NHTSA complaint #11176379, 2019
Air Bags 4 2 crash 3 injury
“I HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND RIKASHADED OFF A GUARD RAIL FLEW ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WAS TBONES BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE DITCH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL CAUSING BRUISING AND PROBLEMS WITH THE RODS IN MY BACK.”
NHTSA complaint #11080067, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact added that the collision threw her daughter forward and backward, and the contact's daughter sustained neck, shoulder, and lower back injuries, and surgery on her neck was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was then towed to a body shop. The manufact…”
NHTSA complaint #11700646, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTIONED, REPLACED X2, THEN MAT FAILED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. STAYED IN DRIVEWAY. SELDOM USED TOTAL MILAGE 111,659”
NHTSA complaint #11407308, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control 4
“I WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH, WENT INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE REVVED INTO THE 7000RPM RANGE, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH, AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK OVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THIS AND MY OIL IS CHANGED REGULARLY. THE ENGINE IS NOW "LOCKED" UP. I AM READING THIS HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE VIN SHOWS NO RECALLS. THIS WAS ON A 55MPH HIGHWAY, WHILE PASSING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11399550, 2021
“I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR DIED AS IN STOPPED IN FRONT OF A SEMI! MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAD NO PROBLEMS -NOTHING-NO NOISE IT JUST DIED. WE ARE LUCKY I WAS NOT KILLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO COOKEVILLE KIA THEY SAID IT WAS INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE POSSIBLE ROD BEARING. HE TOLD US IT WOULD COST AROUND $7000 TO FIX. I STILL OWE 4000 ON MY PIECE OF CRAP OF A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 130,000MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD A FEW NIGHTMARES FROM THE ORDEAL AND IN GENERAL, I'M KINDA SCARED TO DRIVE EVEN A FEW DAYS LATER. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT UN…”
NHTSA complaint #11252699, 2019
“THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED AND SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. A NEW WHEEL BEARINGS WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED. AGAIN IT SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS BEING TOWED TO SHOP FOR THIRD REPAIR. IT WAS RECOMMENDED I LOOK UP RECALL ON CAR NOTICED THERE WAS ONE RECALL AND 114 COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE FOR 2011-2014 SPORTAGES.”
NHTSA complaint #11176379, 2019
Fuel System 2
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed gas cap. The contact was informed that the gas cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred after a month. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the gas cap was replaced a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he recently received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The c…”
NHTSA complaint #11556412, 2023
“WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ONCE OR TWICE EVERY COUPLE WEEKS) AND WITHOUT AN OBVIOUS PATTERN, THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SMELL ON THE DAYS WE'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. ON THE 3RD REPAIR VISIT (30JAN2013), THE TECHNICIAN WAS "UNABLE TO VERIFY SMELL, BUT INSPECTED AND FOUND FUEL AROUND INTAKE AT THE FUEL I…”
NHTSA complaint #10499483, 2012
Steering 2
“I WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH, WENT INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE REVVED INTO THE 7000RPM RANGE, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH, AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK OVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THIS AND MY OIL IS CHANGED REGULARLY. THE ENGINE IS NOW "LOCKED" UP. I AM READING THIS HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE VIN SHOWS NO RECALLS. THIS WAS ON A 55MPH HIGHWAY, WHILE PASSING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11399550, 2021
“THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED AND SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. A NEW WHEEL BEARINGS WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED. AGAIN IT SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS BEING TOWED TO SHOP FOR THIRD REPAIR. IT WAS RECOMMENDED I LOOK UP RECALL ON CAR NOTICED THERE WAS ONE RECALL AND 114 COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE FOR 2011-2014 SPORTAGES.”
NHTSA complaint #11176379, 2019
Visibility/Wiper 2
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STUCK THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE SUNROOF GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE SUNROOF AREA WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THE REPAIR PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIM…”
NHTSA complaint #10575207, 2014
“MY KIA SPORTAGE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY EMPLOYER HERE IN EVERETT, WA. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY, ONLY AROUND 78 DEGREES. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY SPORTAGE AROUND 3:30 PM I NOTICED THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT LOOKED LIKE AN EXPLOSION HAPPENED. NOTHING FELL ON THE GLASS, NO VANDALISM. I HAD THE CLOTH INTERNAL LINER CLOSED AND THAT SAVED THE INTERIOR FROM MILLIONS OF PIECES OF GLASS. THIS SUNROOF (OR PANORAMIC GLASS PANEL) EXPLODED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING CONTACTING IT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE…”
NHTSA complaint #10532797, 2013
Wheels 2
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN SHE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEELS SHIFTED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11327394, 2019
“I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO. THERE IS A ODD THUMPING/HUMMING LIKE SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OR AXLE AREA, WHILE DRIVING, AT ANY SPEED. NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND. MY VEHICLE SHAKES OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH. MY AIR PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINUES TO BE ON CONSTANTLY, EVEN AFTER SHELLING OUT THE MONEY TO HAVE THE SENSORS REPLACED. I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE I HAVE FLAT TIRES, ALTHOUGH THEY SEEM FINE WHEN I CHECK THEM. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, MY CHILDREN AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE SEARCHED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR R…”
NHTSA complaint #11182898, 2019
Back Over Prevention 1
“MALFUNCTIONING BACK UP CAMERA DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY”
NHTSA complaint #11268057, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1
“WHENEVER THE ROADS ARE DAMP OR WET AND I AM AT A STOP WHEN I START TO GO AND GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO MOVE ITS ESC SENSOR GOES ON AND I NEED TO GET CONTROL OF IT. I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO PULL OUT ON A HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. IT HAPPENS AT A STOP SIGN ALSO OR A DRIVEWAY THAT HAS GRAVEL AND I DO NOT HAVE A HEAVY FOOT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR AGO WENT TO DEALER ON 3/5/18 AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT HAD IT DONE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS IS THANK YOU”
NHTSA complaint #11132686, 2017
Exterior Lighting 1
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SHORT IN THE LIGHTS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER (A DOWNPOUR) AND WAS UNCERTAIN IF WIRES HAD BEEN AFFECTED AS WELL OR ANY OTHER COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10984525, 2017
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 1 fire
“We were driving down the road and heard a whine. About 2 minutes later there was a pop in both front wheels locked we could not move and we cannot get them to unlock”
NHTSA complaint #11580042, 2024 · fire
Seat Belts 1
“DRIVERS SEAT BELT CLICKS BUT DOESN'T WANT TO LOCK.”
NHTSA complaint #11302409, 2019
Seats 1 1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND FLAMES ERUPTED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED, BUT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10860134, 2016 · fire
Tires 1
Visibility 1 1 injury
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE EYE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10733549, 2015 · 1 injury(ies)
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2013 Kia Sportage draws about 27.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 15 among the Kia Sportage model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.