VehicleVerdict

2023 Kia Sportage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 303 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Sportage year — the 2023 model ranks #9 of 31 Sportage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (60), other (45), and electrical system (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

303

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

44

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Sportage years?

Sportage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted558 complaints1995: 88 complaints1996: 98 complaints1997: 299 complaints1998: 558 complaints1999: 493 complaints2000: 462 complaints2001: 354 complaints2002: 321 complaints2003: 4 complaints2005: 93 complaints2006: 169 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 138 complaints2009: 120 complaints2010: 28 complaints2011: 264 complaints2012: 454 complaints2013: 449 complaints2014: 154 complaints2015: 193 complaints2016: 182 complaints2017: 551 complaints2018: 221 complaints2019: 99 complaints2020: 199 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 60 complaints2023: 303 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 86 complaints2026: 26 complaints
Sportage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sportage years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Kia Sportage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance6020%
Other4515%
Electrical System4314%
Brakes3512%
Engine3512%
Transmission176%
Fuel System145%
Visibility & Wipers134%
Airbags114%
Speed Control93%
Steering52%
Seats52%
Body & Structure41%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seat Belts10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Latches & Locks10%
Suspension10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2023 Kia Sportage have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V025000Body & StructureJanuary 18, 2024 · 101,049 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

Consequence

A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.

23V531000TransmissionJuly 31, 2023 · 39,765 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

Consequence

An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.

23V410000BrakesJune 7, 2023 · 98,944 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.

Consequence

A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.

23V298000Electrical SystemApril 26, 2023 · 108,936 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence

A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

22V878000AirbagsNovember 28, 2022 · 76,918 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.

Consequence

A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.

22V651000Electrical SystemAugust 29, 2022 · 19,701 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“My Kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at Dunkin Donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 10, 2023 · crash

“It would be easier to explain to someone over the phone as there are a lot of details. Phone number is 8135177176 kia did look at it after when I went in for oil Change as I tried to get ahold of corporate. I tried to explain to police also. I have a screen shot on the original day where it shows…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 25, 2022 · crash

“Vehicle caught fire while idling unattended with seat warmers activated. The driver seat ignited and fire spread across the seats to the headrest in the backseats and sunroof area. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. Multiple eyewitnesses confirm no one was near the vehicle. Surveillance…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 17, 2026 · fire

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, when she depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle did not accelerate as required, and she was rear-ended, causing her vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The vehicle was towed to the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 11, 2023 · crash

“My Kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at Dunkin Donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 10, 2023 · crash

2023 Kia Sportage — common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Sportage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 303 complaints put the 2023 model at #9 of 31 Sportage years. It is one of the Sportage years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 Sportage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (60 complaints), other (45 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints).

Does the 2023 Kia Sportage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sportage years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sportage years to avoid are 1998, 2017, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2001, 2002, 2023, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2020, 2015, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Sportage years belongs to 2003.

How safe is the 2023 Kia Sportage?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Kia Sportage earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.