AI Damage2023 KIA Sportage: common problems
Owners of the 2023 KIA Sportage filed 193 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 74 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 193
- involving a crash
- 24
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 74
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 45 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Engine: 38 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 34 complaints (18% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Forward collision avoidance: 24 complaints (12% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 19 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 193 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 | 45 | 2 | 28 |
| Engine | 38 | 2 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 34 | 7 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 24 | 7 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 19 | 1 | 15 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 1 | 4 |
| Backover prevention | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Air bags | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I also didn't receive an alert from the Front Collision Avoidance system or any assistance from the Automatic Emergency Braking system. The vehicle was a CPO that had always been serviced at the dealership.
The collision was impactful enough to cause my seatbelt to engage and slam into my sternum. While attempting to turn off the car, the computer system glitched, engaging all three different drive modes (N, R, D).
Despite the severity of the impact, the front airbags did not deploy. The impact was primarily to the front of the vehicle, and the damage required extensive repairs, exceeding the threshold for a total loss. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the crash.
I was wearing a seatbelt. Despite the severity of the collision and the high rate of speed, neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed. No airbags deployed in any position in the vehicle. I sustained injuries, including a right shoulder sprain and having the wind knocked out of me, and required medical care.
Incident Date: [XXX] Vehicle: 2023 Kia Sportage Component(s): Power Train (Automatic Transmission Shifter), Electrical System (Instrument Cluster/Display), Back Over Prevention (Rearview Camera) Description of Incident: On [XXX], while performing a low-speed maneuver in Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle experienced a…
At no time did the forward collision avoidance system cause the car to brake itself. When the car was moving, the engine was revving at maximum RPM. I wasn't able to control the vehicle.
The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. Unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. However, the vehicle's system contacted 911. A police report was filed.
While backing up, the vehicle’s rear camera and sensors failed to alert me to a low object. There was no audible warning, and the object was below rear window visibility. This resulted in a dent to the trunk. The camera system typically provides audio warnings, but it was silent during this event.
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 341 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sportage has 113 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 193, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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
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
KEY AND CYLINDER SET REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the driver’s door lock and trunk lid key cylinders on some 2019-2024MY Kia vehicles listed below. On affected vehicles, the stored key…
- 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
FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT & BURNISHING - 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
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…
- 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 74 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Sportage?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 193. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), infotainment or screen glitches (15%), windows, sunroof (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 KIA Sportage?
NHTSA lists 74 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 2023 KIA Sportage 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 2023 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 2026-11-04.