Kia Sportage 2023 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Kia Sportage 2023 and 192 complaints filed by owners. One of them carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning until repaired. It has 43% more complaints than the average Kia Sportage from 2016–2025 (135 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Kia Sportage 2023? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Kia Sportage 2023
Structure and body
NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · 2024-01-18
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 23V531000 · 2023-07-31 !
Owners are advised to park it outside and away from structures until repaired (fire risk).
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Brakes (hydraulic)
NHTSA campaign 23V410000 · 2023-06-07
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 23V298000 · 2023-04-26
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 22V878000 · 2022-11-28
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 22V651000 · 2022-08-29
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
192 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
24 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 14 injuries
Most reported problems on the Kia Sportage 2023
- Electrical system: 45 (23% of complaints)
- Engine: 38 (20% of complaints)
- Brakes: 30 (16% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 24 (13% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 19 (10% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Kia Sportage 2023
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | Not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Not rated |
Kia Sportage recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 133 complaints
- 2017 : 4 recalls · 401 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 164 complaints
- 2019 : 2 recalls · 70 complaints
- 2020 : 2 recalls · 162 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 54 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 46 complaints
- 2023 : 6 recalls · 192 complaints
- 2024 : 3 recalls · 73 complaints
- 2025 : 1 recalls · 52 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Kia Sportage 2023 have?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Kia Sportage 2023. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Kia Sportage 2023?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: electrical system (45 of 192 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).