2017 Kia Sportage power train problems

“While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." This created an immediate, severe collision hazard with surrounding high-speed traffic. The vehicle is a 2017 Kia Sportage with a 2.4L Theta II engine, which had previously received the mandated KSDS safety software flash. The authorized dealership (Southwest Kia) refused to honor the safety recall and lifetime warranty parameters for this engine failure, instead classifying the issue as a "burnt valve" to deny coverage and forcing an out-of-pocket retail customer charge of $6,864.49 for a full engine assembly replacement.”

“I experienced engine failure and the dealership, corporation and warranty are refusing to replace the engine. My engine falls under an engine settlement. The denial states the corporation will not approve because i do not have a system update. The system update was issued while in the dealer’s inventory, part of the Certified Pre Owned inspection, it is required that the dealer updates all recalls & product improvements before certification.”

“The vehicle has had recurring drivability problems since at least June 2024, including repeated check engine light illumination and severe loss of acceleration. On 06/19/2024, dealership service records document that the check engine light was on and the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 mph, and the check engine light was flashing. More recently, while driving on the interstate at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power and dropped speed, forcing me to pull over on the side of the road for safety. This created a dangerous situation and risk of collision. The problem continues despite multiple service visits. A dealership service visit on 06/05/2025 documents stored diagnostic trouble code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold), but the dealership stated no further repairs were recommended and no repair was performed. This issue is recurring and creates a serious safety hazard due to sudden loss of power while driving. Vehicle: 2017 Kia Sportage VIN: [XXX]”

“AWD lock engaged but not functioning and no error lights indicating the such. This made the vehicle slip aggressively on lightly snowed roads. Once parked it needed to be winched out as only the front wheels spun, not engaging the rear tires.”

“Transmission stops drive ability at various times when pulling out into traffic it stops accelerating and the engine just revs high rpm’s until it slams itself back into a power gear. I have stalled several times recently pulling into traffic and was nearly involved in a wreck because a momentary lack of acceleration. This problem also hapoens when driving a steady speed it all of a sudden stops accelerating a d just revs the engine very high until it catches itself and regains the ability to have power.”

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred while traveling across two States. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's brother while waiting for a scheduled appointment with the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact was informed that the second unknown software update was part of an unknown special program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”