Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Kia Sportage problems
Owners filed 381 complaints about the 2013 Kia Sportage with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (301).
Complaints
381
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
22
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine301
- Electrical system22
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Power train18
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Structure6
- Suspension6
- Service brakes6
- Air bags4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Steering2
- Wheels2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
4
7
8
20
66
76
57
46
33
16
29
14
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 66 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 33 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
301 reports2 crashes18 fires
“While driving all of a sudden my 2013 Sportage began shaking check Ingine light flashing. This happened out of nowhere. I pulled off to the side of the road, towed to Mechanic shop. They found that a piece of spark plug had broken off into the cylinder shaft. They said it was very unusual. I had it fixed through our local Kia Dealership but could never figure out how or why this happened. I would like to be refunded for this, if, it happened because of a faulty component & Actually there was a recall. Thank you”
Electrical system
22 reports5 fires
“I bought my car and then I received a letter stating that it had 1 recall. I called KIA to schedule the recall and they said there are 4 in total. I told them to get them all done because the closes KIA is about 45 min from my house. I took it in KIA called me said everything was done that I could go pick up my car. Then on 7/19/25 I am driving in the highway and my car stops accelerating I pull over turn off my car let it cool off and turn it back on. It moves and the moment I try to accelerate it the car stops again. Thank God I was able to arrive to a gas satiation at an exit and not have someone crash into me. I tried jump starting it and nothing. I tried turning it on again and smoke stated coming out from the engine. I had to tow the car to my house. I called my mechanic to check it and 3 codes showed up (C1611, C1612, C1613). I called KIA to let them know the codes and that I needed them to tow my car to their dealership. They proceed to inform me that 1 of the recalls were not fixed (the fuse) had to ordered and was not done. No one had informed me that when I picked up my car. They are not wanting to give me a solution and I have called 3 days straight.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
19 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which had a warranty extension for the engine to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to replace the engine and referred the contact to another mechanic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the timeframe for the engine coverage extension had been exceeded, and the HECU not been replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Power train
18 reports
“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 KIA and the Filters rated at 10K miles . Have worked on My cars since I was [XXX] old have thousands of dollars in tools. I do what ever maintenance that is still possible to do on newer cars . Brakes , Filters Fluid changes tire rotations Ect . If KIA would have mentioned in the Warrenty you need to take Videos I would have . Why are not receipts enough? Also the way the oil looks rite now ?? Clean on the dipstick. Have talked to 3 different car service technicians. And they said the same thing. If that motor was not maintained the oil would not look that good. I asked the…”
Engine and engine cooling
14 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Fuel/propulsion system
7 reports3 fires
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.