2026 Kia Sportage

My 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line was involved in a multi-vehicle rear-and-frontal collision. While stationary waiting to turn from a highway to a secondary road, my vehicle was struck from behind and pushed forward into an oncoming vehicle then continued into guard railing. There were no tire marks from the rear at fault vehicle to indicate any attempt to brake prior to impact. The resulting frontal impact caused severe crush damage extending all the way back to the radiator and significantly bent the hood. Despite the severity of the frontal collision—which caused enough structural damage for the at fault insurance company to declare the vehicle a total loss—none of the vehicle's airbags (front driver, passenger, side, or curtain) deployed during either impact. Prior to the crash, no airbag or Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light was illuminated on the dashboard (note: this vehicle model year is subject to Kia Recall SC361 / NHTSA 26V-046 regarding instrument panel display failures that can omit warning lights). The driver sustained minor injuries in the collision. The vehicle is currently declared a total loss and stored at an insurance salvage facility pending title transfer, and the Event Data Recorder (EDR) has not yet been downloaded.

NHTSA ID

11777189

Incident

Nov 4, 2026

When driving into the sun, thousands of tiny dust like sparkles illuminate in the windshield. These dust like sparkles can and do obstruct vision through the windshield. This has been a problem since the day I putchased my new 2026 KIA Sportage SX Prestige Hybrid from KIA of Portland on July 30, 2026. I took attached photo with my cell phone and you will need to zoom in a bit to see sparkles.

NHTSA ID

11775177

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

Windshield is cracking easily when small rocks have hit it driving past vehicles on the road. Bought a brand new car that has not been owened for a year. Windshield seems to have a defect or cheaply made. 3 cracks in it in less than one year.

NHTSA ID

11774822

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

The vehicle has developed a persistent, severe rattling noise coming from the engine bay and front chassis area. The noise becomes significantly worse and amplifies at highway speeds, raising severe concerns about high-speed mechanical instability. The vehicle has undergone multiple repair attempts at an authorized dealership, but mechanics have been unable to identify or resolve the root cause of the noise. The vehicle is currently considered unfit for road use and has remained restricted to the dealership repair facility for 29 consecutive days since October 2, 2026. Because the source of this heavy mechanical rattle cannot be identified by factory technicians and worsens at speed, it presents an immediate safety risk. An unresolved, unknown mechanical defect in the front end or engine compartment raises serious concerns regarding potential sudden component failure, steering/suspension compromise, or structural detachment while operating at high speeds, which could result in a catastrophic loss of vehicle control.

NHTSA ID

11774622

Incident

Sep 25, 2026

A deer ran out on the parkway when I was coming home from work and it totaled my vehicle. The ambulance had to pry the door open to get me out. The airbag never deployed and the seatbelt popped open.

NHTSA ID

11773890

Incident

Oct 27, 2026

I am writing to formally report a severe and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid. On September 28, 2026 around 8 am, I experienced a terrifying Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while operating the vehicle. I was completely stopped at an intersection, waiting to make a left turn. The vehicle was stationary with the AUTO HOLD function engaged. When it was time to proceed, I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal to begin moving. Instead of accelerating normally, the vehicle dangerously surged and accelerated on its own. I immediately removed my foot from the accelerator pedal and attempted to stop the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the brake pedal. However, the vehicle did not slow down as expected and continued moving at a high speed. At this time, my foot was completely off the accelerator. The unexpected acceleration lasted for approximately 10 seconds. While repeatedly applying the brake pedal and trying to maintain control, I managed to steer the vehicle into a nearby side street/alley, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop. Fortunately, there was no collision, injury, or property damage. However, this was an extremely frightening and dangerous event. No warning lights or error messages were displayed on the instrument cluster during or after the incident. I requested the Kia Tustin dealer for Inspection and Data Preservation. I also reported to Kia Amerca.

NHTSA ID

11768268

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that his wife had driven for 6.5 hours at 35-70 MPH with the seat heater activated, the seat heater overheated. Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver discovered second-degree burns on her right thigh and significant bruising extending from her left thigh to her buttocks. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact and wife were traveling on a 6.5 hours trip. The contact's wife received medical treatment for the injuries. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 14,223.

NHTSA ID

11764801

Incident

Sep 6, 2026

Mileage

14,223 mi

Wiring harness keeps getting chewed up by rodents in engine bay. Had to have Kia fix 2 times for the parking distance sensors. Have done lots of prevention things to keep from engine bay, but attracted to this vehicle. My 2 other vehicles no problems. They are not Kias. It causes loss of driver assistance systems.

NHTSA ID

11760371

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: UPPER ACTIVE AIR FLAP DUCT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (CA2606) - This bulletin provides information to replace the upper active air flap (“AAF”) duct assembly on certain 2026-2027MY Sportage (NQ5), Sportage Hybrid (NQ5 HEV), and Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (NQ5, PHEV) vehicles produced from May 15, 2025, through May 11, 2026, which may exhibit a MIL ON with DTCs P05A300 and/or P059F00 due to insufficient flap rigidity, resulting in reduced AAF performance.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WIND NOISE FROM FRONT LEFT DOOR (CA2601) - This bulletin provides information regarding a wind noise heard on certain 2026MY Sportage vehicles listed. The affected vehicles may experience wind noise coming from the front left door while driving. Wind can travel through the run channel of the upper corner of the window run.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: PITSTOP: ENGINE BAY/DASHBOARD RATTLE NOISE (PS811) - This Pitstop provides information related to an intermittent rattle or tapping noise heard from the engine bay or dashboard area while driving on 2026MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles. The fuel feed and vapor tube bracket (A) may rattle/tap against the brake booster (B) while driving.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION, AND OLP GASKET AND/OR ATF FILLER BOLT REPLACEMENT OR A/T REPLACEMENT (SC363) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and/or ATF filler bolt, or the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) assembly on certain 2025-2026 Kia model vehicles listed in the table below. Also, dealers are to ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications upon the completion of the inspection and necessary repair. The oil level plug in the subject vehicles may not have been installed properly during assembly. The oil level plug may be loose or detached from the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) which may result in leaking automatic transmission fluid (ATF). A transaxle which is operated with excessively low ATF may become damaged over time.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2026 MY Sportage vehicles to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and ATF filler bolt and ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications. If necessary, the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) may require replacement based on the inspection results.