Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 11, 2026
The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine failure while driving. The vehicle completely lost acceleration, entered a low-pitched humming 'limp-home mode,' and the dashboard red oil pressure warning light illuminated solidly.The vehicle had previously received the mandatory corporate KSDS software update. A diagnostic check by an authorized Kia dealership officially documented the physical evidence of 'metal debris in the engine oil,' which is the unarguable signature of the defect described in NHTSA Recall campaigns for the Theta II engine block.Despite the physical evidence of connecting rod bearing failure and the active KSDS update, Kia Corporate and the local dealership have issued a flat denial of the Lifetime Warranty engine replacement mandate. This constitutes a direct violation of the safety recall settlement framework."
- NHTSA ID
- 11763632
- Incident
- Sep 6, 2026
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 3, 2025
2 problems occurred within 1 month from each other: - Kia Sportage engine started to randomly stall. I needed to do a full stop in the middle of the road and restart the car to continue driving. I had 3 stalls happen within 2 weeks before I had time to take it to the dealer. The Kia Dealer held it for over a week and drove it but could not find any issues. They mentioned low oil, which was strange considering I recently replaced it. I also forced the dealer to do ignition tuning which seemed to have resolved the issue. - In a month after the first problem with stalling I experienced issues with the engine of unknown origin (so far). This happened this week. While going downhill cruise control shut off. After that the engine started to decelerate and the amber blinking engine light came off. Transmission started to be jerky. Dropped it off at the dealer again. I was very luck to not get into any major car accidents so far, but I was very close! Smells, sounds, and looks like a potential recall that Kia does not want to recognize.
- NHTSA ID
- 11671168
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 25, 2024
The car accelerated of its own accord, I had been driving 30-35 miles an hour when it accelerated suddenly and caused me to wreck.
- NHTSA ID
- 11616318
- Incident
- Sep 20, 2024
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Oct 7, 2022
I was driving with my cruise control set at 70 mph, on Highway 95 ( the speed limit ) While driving my vehicle suddenly dropped to 40 mph, all dashboard lights began to flash. I had problems with the steering as I attempted to pull over. I had a tractor trailer behind me on a major highway. When I came to a complete stop, my engine light kept flashing. I drove my car to the KIA dealership in GA, where they determined my engine failed ( software issues ) There were no prior warnings. My vehicle had been serviced just a few weeks prior. KIA is fully aware of these ongoing engine failures according to my local KIA dealer rep.
- NHTSA ID
- 11488291
- Incident
- Oct 4, 2022
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2019
THE ENGINE OF THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME WHEN I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION. UNKNOWN CAUSE WHY THE ENGINE JUST DIED ON ME. I TRIED STARTING IT, AND IT WOULD START AND DIE AGAIN. IF I START THE CAR AND STEP ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE DOES NOT DIE BUT ONCE I RELEASE FROM THE GAS, THE ENGINE DIES AND I SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR.
- NHTSA ID
- 11289135
- Incident
- Dec 10, 2019
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 27, 2019
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE ON POINTS OF ROCK ROAD IN BREWSTER, A QUIET STREET NEAR THE BEACH AND THE CAR PROCEEDED UP AN EMBANKMENT,DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER ONTO THE ROOF OF THE CAR ABD DID NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES
- NHTSA ID
- 11258484
- Incident
- Sep 5, 2019
- Mileage
- 55,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO BACKPEDAL FOR 2-3 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CERTAIN COMPONENT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE EXACT COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10965902
- Incident
- Dec 15, 2016
- Mileage
- 19,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC THE GAS PETAL SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, BECAUSE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC.
- NHTSA ID
- 10850519
- Incident
- Jan 2, 2016
- Mileage
- 1,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.