AI Damage2025 KIA Sportage Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2025 KIA Sportage Hybrid filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 24 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 24
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 21% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 14% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Steering: 4 complaints (29% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (21% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], while driving my 2025 Kia Sportage with the lane assist system engaged in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, near the AT&T building at [XXX] , the system suddenly jerked the steering wheel sharply to the right while I was crossing an intersection.
My four month old Kia Sportage suddenly lunged forward two times. sudden Acceleration incident. [XXX]
They talk about âsudden accelerationââ and that is exactly what happened. It just lunged forward. Thankfully a human was not on the sidewalk. It went up over the curb and on the sidewalk. Itâs called a jerking car in articles. Even if my car is fixable I wonât trust it.
On [XXX] in West Danville, Vt, leaving [XXX] onto [XXX], we experienced complete brake failure, the brake pedal sank completely to the floor, allowing the vehicle to roll into a high traffic route before the manual caught at the bottom. This created the potential for a catastrophic impact situation.
Two occurrences. First, it was sprinkling rain when breaking before a stop sign at an intersection near my job, with no stop for oncoming traffic. I drove over a bump and itâs as if the car got confused and didnât want to stop. I had to release the brake and slam on the brakes to stop.
I was on a hilly 55mph County Road, with few turn offs, when the hybrid system failed, resulting in a loss of acceleration, power steering, power brakes and heat. Check engine light, Oil Light and battery light illuminated while entire dash display started flashing red with critical fault message.
Suddenly, multiple alerts popped up on the screen: Ultrasonic sensor error or blockage, check blind spot safety, ABS, and eventually: U010100, U100387 and C161287. My car eventually lost complete power, I was unable to start it, and when started, it would not shut off.
I have a hybrid and 4 times now since we've owned it I experienced a lag during the transition from electric to gas power when I am stopped and try to move again (example at a stop sign or traffic light), which followed by a sudden, lurching acceleration when the gas does finally kick in.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,552 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sportage Hybrid has 30 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY047) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (WTY047) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY047) to inspect, and if necessary, replace…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY047) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for certain repairs related to oil leakage from the rear shock…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY047) – This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding Warranty Extension Campaign WTY047.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY047) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for certain…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY047) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for certain repairs related to oil leakage…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
PARTIAL REPAIR – ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AVN GEN 5.0 WIDE SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information on the Audio Video Navigation (AVN) system software update for certain vehicles equipped with AVN5W and Navigation System listed in the table below…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AVN5.0W DTC P17A000 DAIGNOSTIC PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information regarding a potential illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) accompanied by DTC P17A000 on some 2022-2025MY Hybrid Electric Vehicles…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
NHTSA lists 24 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA Sportage Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (36%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (14%), unintended acceleration (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 KIA Sportage Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 24 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2025 KIA Sportage Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2025 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.