2011 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While accelerating to overtake a vehicle driving under the speed limit, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine light was flashing, and the vehicle went into ECO mode. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and engine failure due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11744681

Incident

Jun 11, 2026

Mileage

180,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the State Inspection, the vehicle failed the Emissions test. The State Inspector diagnosed a failure with the Evaporative Emissions Control System (EVAP). The contact was informed that the system was leaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 243,000.

NHTSA ID

11647495

Incident

Mar 8, 2025

Mileage

243,000 mi

I'm [XXX] from Brooks Alberta Canada. I purchased this car from a private seller here in Brooks last [XXX] named “Hein Teresa Lorraine” lives in [XXX], Brooks AB T1R 0R7" and she did not include all the details in her car that it has a recall issue with the engine which is the Knock Sensor Problem. After a couple of days of using it I experience engine malfunction, the oil pressure light is keeps on flickering and as I drove from Brooks going to Calgary the engine suddenly stalled and activates the “Lymp Mode”. I cannot able to move forward and almost hit by a huge truck because of that incident. I coordinated with Straightline Kia Medicine Hat that incident, they check the vehicle and test it, after several testings they proved that the vehicle has a engine recall backjob. The check engine code shows P01326 which is responsible for engine stalling while accelerating. Kia Manager "Kent" talk to me and promise me that he will do all the reports to replace the engine. He submitted the report to the engineering department of Kia for the engine replacement but they declined it due to lack of documentation proof for regular maintenance of the vehicle from the previous owner. I told them that i recently purchased the car and I cannot able to provide the previous oil change done with the vehicle. Unfortunately after 2 weeks of waiting for nothing, Kent refuse to do a follow up report on the said incident and telling me that I need to take my car and need to pay a certain amount for their job done to my vehicle. Even the car rental that they provided I am also shouldering the expense because Kent is insisting that my car is not covered by the warranty anymore. As I do my research it has a lifetime warranty for the Knock Sensor failure for the same Car model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11631322

Incident

Nov 21, 2024

Mileage

102,063 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V101000 (Engine) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer, a second dealer, Team Kia of El Cajon (619-444-7200), and a third dealer, Kearny Mesa Kia (858 223-3131) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11615014

Incident

Sep 17, 2024

MY VEHICLE HAD A AN ILLUMINATED OIL LAMP ON THE CLUSTER AND AN OIL LEAK. ON [XXX] I TOOK MY 2011 KIA OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE UNDER SAFETY CAMPAIGN 174 (SC174 SL THETA 2 - 2.4 L MPI ENGINE OIL PAN)- WHEN KIA OF DOWNTOWN RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME THE INVOICE STATED "OIL PAN WAS FOUND NOT LEAKING , OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS REPLACED" OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS I NOTICED I STILL HAD AN OIL LEAK SO I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AT KIA OF DOWNTOWN LA TO ASK THEM TO LOOK AT THE OIL PAN AGAIN UNDER SC174 I BROUGHT IT BACK TO DOWNTOWN LA KIA ON [XXX] - THIS TIME I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM THEM STATING "VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN UPON INSPECTION FOUND OIL PAN TO BE LEAKING FROM SEAL" AND AN ESTIMATE OF $845.84 TO REPAIR IT --- I CALLED AND SPOKE TO MY SERVICE ADVISOR AND SHE SAID MY 'WARRANTY WAS VOIDED BECAUSE OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCES" WHICH THEY SAID ARE SMALL SCRATCHES ON BOTTOM THE OIL PAN - I TOLD THEM I DONT THINK THEY CAN "VOID" A SAFTEY RECALL -- I NEXT CALLED KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND OPENED A CASE -#[XXXXXXX] - SUPERVISOR NAMED 'RICHARD"OF CUSTOMER CARE TOLD ME ON RECORDED CALL THAT KIA CORPORTATE MADE AGREES WITH THE DECISION NOT TO REPLACE MY OIL PAN DUE TO THE SCRATCHES AT THE BOTTOM OF MY PAN THAT ARE NO WHERE NEAR THE MAIN SEAL. DID KIA VIOLATE ANY FEDERAL LAW BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE LEAK AT THE MAIN SEAL AND DENYING TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN AND RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME WITH A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT - RECALL - SC174 DOES NOT MENTION ANY EXEMPTIONS FOR THE RECALL SUCH AS AGE, DAMAGE , NEGLIGENCE ETC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11589319

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

I had the check engine light come on my Kia around September 2023. It stayed on and did not flash or anything. I had a hard time accelerating in car. I took it to get fixed on December 19,2023. They said it was the electronic wastegate actuator and I got it replaced. A month after that I was on the high way and all of my car lights came on the dashboard and a cloud of black smoke came out the exhaust pipe. I pulled over and got my car towed to dealership. They told me this time it was the engine. My car was held for 1 month to fix the engine. I have spent so much money in this car and I think this recall has alot to do with my issues with it.

NHTSA ID

11582415

Incident

Jan 30, 2024

A combination of the risk of fire with the electrical component and lack of resolution to repair said recall and a faulty engine has left me in a bind. Due to the recall and its lack of resolution I am unable to get the engine repaired because the recall has left the repair shops unwilling to take the risk of fire while repairing the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11563657

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

Drive the car for a certain amount of time (20 mins) park and then drive it again 20 mins back home when it’s already parked smell to burn. What I do? I need the car to drive to work and back home.

NHTSA ID

11556791

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

2011 Kia Sportage engine stalling/failure. Has been having oil pressure/heating/oil feed line/consumption issues. Taken to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions for all routine maintenance, including every 3000 oil changes. Owner was told that a catalytic converter was needed in 2021 due to engine stalling/ failure while driving 55-60mph on highway to a rapid deceleration and vehicle would go >20mph. Owner had car towed to Kia dealership and had a new catalytic converter put on in 2021 by dealership. Then in 2022 same engine stalling occurred again. Taken back to dealership and was told car needed waste gate actuator replaced. Owner agreed to cost/repairs. Then during repair was told that another catalytic converter was needed due to sludge/clogging, when one was put on less than 1.5 years prior. With less than 20k miles on new one. Car engine continues failing and will not accelerate above 20-25 mph. Check engine light has come on and been diagnosed numerous times from 2018, when oil issues started to 2023. Both dealership and manufacture are aware of recurrent issues.

NHTSA ID

11548411

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

The engine light came on and it started making loud noise, then the car started pulling on its own and it stop in the middle of the road. My safety Issue was I had to keep my driver hood open so other visible drivers could know my car had an issue. later on, that day I took my car to the mechanic and the mechanic said I have an oil leak and that's why my car started acting like that. The mechanic told me my car was ready to go, so I paid him and left thinking my car was fine. I drive 6 miles away from the car shop and my car broke down in the middle of the road. so, I had to call the tow truck people to tow my car until I could really find out what's wrong with my car.

NHTSA ID

11539580

Incident

Aug 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V101000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unsure if there were any warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and of the recall notification. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil pressure switch, oil pan, and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a follow-up call would follow; however, the contact had not received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11519512

Incident

Oct 28, 2022

Mileage

55,000 mi

No check engine light on. Driving down highway when car jerked hard, coasted to side of the road. Lights, radio, dashboard lights, window controls all work. Towed to mechanic was told engine needs to be replace.

NHTSA ID

11517741

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

the check engine light blinked and i lost power as i was driving. they replaced my engine and now i have 6 lights on my dash.

NHTSA ID

11505492

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off as several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact managed to coast the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact made multiple attempts to restart the vehicle but every attempt failed. Due to the excessive heat and with a newborn baby inside the vehicle, the contact called authorities for assistance. The authorities could not provide the adequate assistance needed to handle the matter; therefore, she called her husband. Her husband was able to call a neighbor who came to assist the contact with her children. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it had yet to be diagnosed or serviced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11478566

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

Was driving home when car had it’s check engine light start flashing and car wouldn’t come up to speed. Went by local auto zone to check code given and it was associated with the KSDS recall update and the car is now in limp mode. Towed car to Peak Kia where it’s been for almost two months. They wanted me to tow it to Arapahoe Kia since they had previously replaced the engine (see complaint from 2019) and it now needs replacement again but it’s not covered under warranty again according to them since it’s a 2011 Kia. Not putting another cent into this car after paying over 7500 to replace the first MPI engine if Kia won’t cover replacement of faulty engine someone can have the car to investigate the engine issues and hold them accountable, be it the NHTSA or a lawyer. Kia even did the software update that put the engine in limp mode and still won’t do anything to cover a known defect.

NHTSA ID

11467244

Incident

Mar 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rod bearings failed and the engine seized. The contact related the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

NHTSA ID

11464360

Incident

May 5, 2022

Mileage

27,000 mi

The engine malfunction light came on and the vehicle began seizing. It would no longer go any faster than about 20 miles per hour. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was jeopardized as I was driving 60 miles per hour on the freeway and the light came on and the vehicle immediately began to lose speed. The issue was inspected by the dealership that I had the vehicle towed to that I normally service my vehicle. There were no symptoms or warning lamps prior to this incident. The dealership said it was a "bearing clearance issue". I contacted Kia directly and they have offered $500 of goodwill assistance towards a $5k replacement of the engine.

NHTSA ID

11457121

Incident

Mar 3, 2022

Engine failed while driving

NHTSA ID

11433438

Incident

Sep 11, 2021

I was driving 65mph on the Freeway and all of a sudden I have no power. I press acceleration to the floor and it done nothing. Code p200a Intake Manifold Code p420 Exhaust Manifold I couldn’t go no faster than 25/30 mph on an incline. I live in West Virginia so there’s inclines every few miles. I’ve been looking on the internet and I’m not the only one that is experiencing this. It needs to be fixed ASAP. And Dealership’s charge an arm and a leg for things like this. The parts alone are expensive. I believe it is going to get worse before it gets any better. So my opinion and many others say it needs to be a Recall on the 2011 KIA SPORTAGE 2.4L I4 FI DOHC 16V. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID

11421346

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

123000 MILES STARTED KNOCKING AND ENGINE SEIZED. CAR IS GARBAGE

NHTSA ID

11414948

Incident

May 2, 2021

Mileage

123,000 mi

I HAVE A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE EX AWD. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY KNOCKING AND THEN MY ENGINE SEIZED. TOTALLY LOCKED UP. MY ENGINE IS A THETA II BUT IT'S THE MPI ENGINE. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL SO I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE. I'M FINDING HUNDREDS OF POSTS ONLINE FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINE THAT I HAVE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THESE ENGINES? CANADA HAS ALREADY INCLUDED THEM IN ITS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11413201

Incident

Dec 21, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

ON STARTUP SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AND SOMETIMES ODOR OF GAS ENGINE EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING..

NHTSA ID

11403431

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

105,000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE LOWER ENGINE NOISE AS (METAL CHAIN NOISE) NOTIFIED DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. 2.4 ENGINE RECALL AND VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED FOR THE ENGINE RECALL. VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING NOISE 176,000

NHTSA ID

11395550

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

Mileage

105,000 mi

I HAVE A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM KIA ON 2019 THAT MY OIL PAN NEEDED REPLACED. THE LETTER STATED THAT IF LEFT UNFIXED IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER THEY REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR STARTED TO FEEL AS IF IT WOULD NOT FULLY GO ON EXCELRATION. I CALLED THE KIA DEALER SEVERAL TIME. THEY NOTIFIED ME OF A KIA ENGINE RECALL HOWEVER TOLD ME THE VIN NUMBER DOESN'T QUALIFY. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME I COULD SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE CAR BUT I WOULD NEED TO PAY $150 SERVICE FEE. I CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT AND SCHEDULED WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC DUE TO SERVICES MANGER TELLING ME I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FEES. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CAR STOPPED WORKING THE FOLLOWING MORNING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE STARTER BRI MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE CAR JUST STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO EXCELRATE . I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS STUCK AND WAS NOT WORTH REPLACING. MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED TO LEAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND FOLLOWED UP WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THEY 30 DAYS LATER SENT A LETTER THAT THEY WILL REPLACE PART OF THE ENGINE BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICE FEE AROUND $2200 PRETAX. I DON'T FEEL THIS ISSUE IS HANDLED APPROPRIATELY. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE FAILED AS PART OF THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CAR IS 2011 AND HAD A DEFECTIVE OIL PAIN UNTIL 2019. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO FAIL. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT KIA HAS BEEN HONEST ABOUT THE RECALL OR FAIRLY HANDLING THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11354247

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE IN USE. MY BRAKES WORKED BUT NOT MY GAS. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS IN DANGER OF BEING HIT. *TR *BF CONSUMER STATED METAL GOT CAUGHT IN THE ENGINE AND CONSUMER ENDED UP BUYING A NEW CAR.*JB

NHTSA ID

11326374

Incident

May 25, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi