2022 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, there was an alert on the instrument panel that stating "Warning - System Overheating". The contact checked the coolant level, and the level was at the operational level; however, the A/C was not operating properly. While driving the vehicle, the external temperature gauge started lowering. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with blower motor failure that affected the wiring harness and the cooling fan assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11751534

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Mileage

97,000 mi

I am submitting this complaint regarding the positive battery terminal fuse block (battery terminal/fusible link assembly) on my 2022 Kia Sportage. The component is currently installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. I purchased this vehicle in 2024, when it was only about two years old. Because of the vehicle's age, I did not expect to experience major electrical problems. Approximately one year after purchasing it, in June, the battery failed and I had to purchase a brand-new replacement battery. Then, only about three months later, that replacement battery also failed and had to be replaced with another new battery. Having two batteries fail within such a short period on a relatively new vehicle made me believe there was an underlying electrical problem rather than simply defective batteries. As the problem continued to worsen, I discovered that the issue appeared to be related to the positive battery terminal fuse block connection. The connection became intermittent, and the vehicle would not reliably start because electrical power was not consistently passing through the battery terminal assembly. To temporarily restore the connection, a small metal key was carefully placed between the fuse block connection and the battery terminal. This was never intended to be a repair, but it was the only way to make the electrical connection so the vehicle would start. With the metal key in place, the vehicle would start and operate. Recently, the vehicle was exposed to snow and moisture. After that, the temporary connection stopped working and the vehicle would no longer start. I removed the metal key, allowed the connection to dry, and then inserted a small folded piece of aluminum foil into the same location to temporarily restore the electrical connection. The aluminum foil is still in place because it is currently the only way I can start the vehicle and drive it to a Kia dealership for inspection and replacement of the failed component. I

NHTSA ID

11751241

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Engine failure at 93,000 miles. Timing chain jumped, causing internal engine damage. Dealer (Capitol Kia, San Jose CA) diagnosed engine as failed and quoted $11,843 for short block replacement. Vehicle is a 2021 Kia Sportage 2.4L. This is a known issue with the Theta II 2.4L engine.

NHTSA ID

11740300

Incident

May 22, 2026

The engine failed completely, it has to be replaced. Yes, it’s available The engine could start a fire. It’s confirmed by an independent service. No, hasn’t been inspected by the manufacturer. The suv started shaking and making a sound, the engine light started flashing all of this in just one hour, and I have to stop.

NHTSA ID

11728942

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Had my oil changed less about 3k miles ago and my oil like flashed on and then off. I check my oil and I have no oil. I should be able to go 5k miles. Took it to Goodyear and he check for leaks and other things and it's an oil consumption issue and said there should be a recall on my engine. I will be taking it to the dealership. My car has about 70k miles on it. It should not be burning through oil like this.

NHTSA ID

11724879

Incident

Mar 17, 2026

Vehicle developed a cylinder 3 misfire that progressed to engine failure. The engine began running rough and lost power during normal operation. Dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and advised that a complete engine replacement is required. Prior to failure, the vehicle experienced significant oil loss, with oil leaking and rapidly depleting despite proper maintenance. Oil levels dropped abnormally between services. No adequate warning was provided before the engine condition worsened. Failure resulted in loss of engine performance and required towing. Vehicle was properly maintained. Repair cost exceeds reasonable expectations for vehicle age and mileage. Dealer advised that required engine parts are on backorder, leaving the vehicle inoperable for an extended period.

NHTSA ID

11714581

Incident

Dec 26, 2025

intake camshaft position actuator circuit alert went off I have had the engine replaced 3 times in this car in the past year now, the first time in February of 2025 then in August of 2025 and again in October of 2025 and I am now having further engine troubles with this vehicle. All replacement engines have been re-manufactured and I have been told be the Kia dealership that the first 2 were sent with faulty parts. They claimed they switched to another company for the 3rd replacement but this engine is having issues as well.

NHTSA ID

11711737

Incident

Jan 16, 2026

Engine began to knock on [XXX] on my way home from work. Drove to work and back the next day, but heard a loud CLUNK when I started it to head home. Stopped at auto parts store and checked oil. Completely dry dip stick (after wiping it clean). Added 2 qts of synthetic since I had an appt the next morning ([XXX]) at 7:30am at dealership where I purchased it. Knocking stopped but only drove about 12 miles total from that time until appt in the morning. Kia now tells me that engine failed and based on their records, insufficient maintenance. Kia dealer changed hands recently so not sure of the recordkeeping on their end. I've only ever had my vehicle serviced there. Also, no engine light nor oil light ever came on to warn me of low oil pressure. Service tech says he will email me video of their inspection. Not yet received. Currently requesting warranty coverage. Expect it to be denied, based on what service techs have said. I cannot believe Kia didn't get their act together after the Theta II engine debaucle. My car is a 2022 Kia Sportage with ~50-51k miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11703491

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

On [XXX] while driving on the highway my vehicle stalled and the engine light came on. I called my local Kia dealership and setup a diagnostic. My vehicle was dropped off 7/22/25 in which I was informed it was still under warranty and a claim would have to be filed. Days later I received a phone call stating I would have to provide maintenance records in which I have a personal mechanic who services my vehicle when needed. I was contacted multiple times and told Kia was requesting more documents and on 8/7/25 I received a phone call stating I would have to pay $700-$1100 for Kia to take out my engine and see if there was neglect to the engine on top of already owing them 663 for replacing my battery as well as the cost for the diagnostic. I am currently [XXX] and can not drive my car due to the engine being out. On documents provided from Kia it states the testing they are requiring me to pay was optional and I was informed if I paid the money there would be no guarantee Kia would still fix the vehicle. I am now out of a vehicle and spent close to 2,000 on rentals and still have a car note and insurance to pay to a vehicle I cannot even drive. Being [XXX] having doctors appointments and getting ready for a baby this has become stressful and a burden to my life and Kia is making it hard for me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11679583

Incident

Jul 17, 2025

A few weeks ago while on the highway my check engine light started blinking and the car started to slow down and wouldn’t go over 25 miles per hour. My oil pressure light also light up. There was no oil at all. I took it in for an oil change because it was due soon. And explained what happened to them and they said they can check for oil consumption but it’s not covered under my engine warranty and that they can’t find anything wrong because I already put new oil in. This past Friday [XXX] again on the highway the check engine light started flashing and the car slowed down and wouldn’t go over 25 miles per hour. I took it to Jack Williams where they charged me 110$ to reset the code and told me I most likely had water in my gas tank from bad gas and to put dry gas in it which I did and later that night the light came on again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11628129

Incident

Nov 29, 2024

The car lost engine strength wouldn't go above 60 and I received a code p1326. Now it's just blinks and moves at a crawl. I was on the freeway luckily I was able to get out the freeway without incident.

NHTSA ID

11590783

Incident

May 25, 2024

The engine light to our 2022 Kia Sportage went on and a ticking sound was heard in the engine. When we first took it to the dealer, they said it was a normal sound. We again took it to the dealer and spoke to the manager who apologized and said it was not normal to hear that. Warranty of course was no good because we did not get the oil changes through the dealership, which our car salesman had told us that my husband being a mechanic, would be able to do his own oil changes and the warranty would still be good. Engine is now locked up at only 49,000 miles and our car is not even 2 years old, but too expensive to fix and we still owe 17,000.00 on it.

NHTSA ID

11585456

Incident

Feb 23, 2024

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while stopping at a red light, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, where she opened the hood of the vehicle and observed flames coming from the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that the fire originated from the driver side of the engine. A fire department and police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

NHTSA ID

11585257

Incident

Apr 14, 2024

Mileage

51,000 mi

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact heard an abnormal clicking sound. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle was not revving and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed to approximately 15 MPH and would not accelerate beyond 15 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID

11584079

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

Mileage

33,000 mi

Radiator hose needs repair already and engine over heating. Kia will not cover it.

NHTSA ID

11571832

Incident

Feb 10, 2024

Oil consumption. My car was running fine on 04/11/2023 and then at the end of the day, it started sputtering. I was approaching my oil change date so I took the car in to get an oil change. The sputtering did not stop and the car kept stopping and the service engine light came on, so I had it towed to the nearest Kia dealership. They stated there was no oil in the car even though I had the oil changed the day before and only drove it home, less than five miles. Kia is refusing to honor the warranty because I used our friend, who is a licensed auto technician, to complete prior oil changes and because Take 5, who completed the oil change on 04/11/2023, put the mileage incorrectly on the invoice. We got regular oil changes on the car so I don't know why the engine would fail.

NHTSA ID

11517590

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

Was traveling northbound on I5 between Lacey and Dupont, Washington. Vehicle was in cruise at 65, then it suddenly went into limp mode. I was in the furthest right lane possible on the highway, and RPMs drastically dropped to below 1,000. I was able to get the vehicle pulled over to the right shoulder safely while the vehicle dropped to approximately 10mph on the freeway. The vehicle died as soon it was placed in park. When attempting to turn the vehicle on, all engine light warnings displayed (this was not present when the vehicle went into limp mode) and would not start. I checked for oil levels, which showed they were only slightly low. No leaks in engine compartment and no leaks underneath the vehicle. Vehicle would attempt to start after the 5th consecutive attempt, and began knocking. RPMs would not exceed 1,500RPMs with the gas pedal compressed. Towed to KIA, KIA rejecting warranty. Vehicle is a 2022 Kia Sportage EX, only 60,000 miles on it. Still waiting on official denial letter, but this issue was prevalent in previous models of Sportage vehicles from KIA. I'm thankful I was able to maneuver safely to the shoulder of a busy highway during dark hours, I could have been killed if a vehicle hit me from behind with how suddenly the vehicle's speed dropped, almost coming to a complete stop.

NHTSA ID

11517522

Incident

Mar 30, 2023

Mileage

60,000 mi

The car turns off while driving. This is happened four times the first time. Kia told me in Berkeley nothing was wrong. The car started back up bring it back. If it happens again it happened again. They have had the car for over a month. The car will not start. It has not been looked at and told me that there’s other cars it’s been there for over a month. I wouldn’t be so mad my daughters on Chemo I have to have a car that’s reliable to get her there and a dealership that cares this is scary could’ve killed us.

NHTSA ID

11515225

Incident

Mar 4, 2023

My vehicle starting shaking while idling, check engine light came on. Turned car off and went to restart with push button start vehicle just kept cranking for a min and wouldn’t start, stopped it and tried again after a min of cranking it started, went to drive had no pick up speed, ROM’s where all over the place. Transmission feels funny while driving like the car doesn’t want to go or shift gears. Electrical components in vehicle touch screen LCDscreen goes black and can’t get it to go back on, turn car off and still doesn’t come back on, forward collision goes off when nothing around and starts braking, warning light for back passenger tail light goes on and tail light works fine. Tried to get into the dealer but they have no loaner vehicles or appts for a couple weeks.

NHTSA ID

11512360

Incident

Feb 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The side of the contact's home also caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire inspector stated that the fire was started from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11468689

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

Mileage

5,000 mi

Engine will not start consistently. Will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. Electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). The car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.

NHTSA ID

11460241

Incident

Mar 1, 2022