2013 Kia Sportage Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: May 20, 2024 · Filed: September 15, 2026

While driving all of a sudden my 2013 Sportage began shaking check Ingine light flashing. This happened out of nowhere. I pulled off to the side of the road, towed to Mechanic shop. They found that a piece of spark plug had broken off into the cylinder shaft. They said it was very unusual. I had it fixed through our local Kia Dealership but could never figure out how or why this happened. I would like to be refunded for this, if, it happened because of a faulty component & Actually there was a recall. Thank you

Incident: February 15, 2026 · Filed: April 26, 2026

Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kia’s denial of warranty coverage for the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Sportage. Per communication with customer care, Kia denied my claim on the basis of “excessive mileage between oil changes.” However, this conclusion is not supported by sufficient evidence and does not meet the legal standard required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. My vehicle received regular oil changes at intervals ranging from approximately 5,000 to 13,000 miles using full synthetic oil designed for extended service intervals. While these intervals may exceed conservative manufacturer recommendations, they do not constitute neglect, nor do they establish that maintenance caused the engine failure. The engine failure occurred suddenly while driving at highway speed, resulting in a complete seizure and requiring an emergency stop. This type of abrupt failure is consistent with known defects in Kia’s engines, particularly rod bearing failure, and not indicative of progressive oil starvation or maintenance-related damage. Under federal warranty law, Kia bears the burden of demonstrating a causal connection between the alleged maintenance deficiency and the specific mechanical failure. A general assertion regarding oil change intervals is insufficient. To date, Kia has not provided evidence establishing that my maintenance practices caused or contributed to the engine seizure. Accordingly, I request the following: 1.All documentation supporting the denial of my claim, including: •Photographs of engine teardown •Inspection reports •Evidence of sludge, oil starvation, or restricted oil flow 2.A written explanation detailing how the oil change intervals directly caused the engine failure, rather than a known defect associated with this engine. Absent such evidence, the denial of coverage constitutes a breach of warranty under KIA’s engine settlement program and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Incident: December 1, 2025 · Filed: April 2, 2026

Driver side door will not open from the outside. Handle no longer operates.

Incident: June 4, 2025 · Filed: December 14, 2025

My engine failed due to the knock sensor recall a known issue on my 2013 Kia Sportage the recall is supposed to provide a lifetime warranty but I was denied coverage because the failure happened before I was able to perform the update as I was a new owner to the car and was unaware of the recall at the time I have been going back and forth with the kia dealership for almost 8 months now 4 of those the car was at the dealership because they said I had to pay a $170 the fee for them to inspect the car to see if kia would repair it or not it which I was told I would get a full report when I finally was able to pick my car up I was told the claim was denied "due to recall not being performed" and that's literally all the paper said no report no details nothing I do t understand why I had to pay $170 for something they could have just told me because they knew the recall hadn't been completed at the time of entry and why did it take 4months of my car being there just to tell me that just for them to tell me that furthermore the recall applies to the car not just the original owner and covers all known defects and considering the engine failure was because of the defect and not normal wear and tear I'm requesting that KIA replace the engine in my vehicle in a timely manner as this failure was of no fault of my own but something that came directly from the manufacturer at time of purchase and had there vehicle not had a recall that effects the engine and the notification of a possible problem with the engine then my vehicle would not require a engine at this time.

Incident: September 4, 2025 · Filed: November 21, 2025

KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 oil . The oil was changed by Myself and I have receipts every 5k miles or less. I was turned down for what KIA tech line said Insufficient maintenance . As in they are calling me a liar . I bought 5w 20 full Synthetic oil and filters on 12 occasions from Walmart that Fit my 2013 KIA Motor The weight was recommended by KIA and the Filters rated at 10K miles . Have worked on My cars since I was [XXX] old have thousands of dollars in tools. I do what ever maintenance that is still possible to do on newer cars . Brakes , Filters Fluid changes tire rotations Ect . If KIA would have mentioned in the Warrenty you need to take Videos I would have . Why are not receipts enough? Also the way the oil looks rite now ?? Clean on the dipstick. Have talked to 3 different car service technicians. And they said the same thing. If that motor was not maintained the oil would not look that good. I asked the dealer for the video that the technician does when they told me what I already knew. I paid 230 dollars for the diagnostic, They sent the video to KIA tech line. KIA told me I have to get a subpoena . To get a copy.. Does that tell you they may be hiding something?? So I have brought this to the attention of 3 different KIA dealers. They said hands are tied to to KIA tech line . My 2013 KIA Sportage looks as good if not better then some cars 3 years old .Everything works except The 2.4 liter motor with bad rod bearings. The car died while my Wife was driving it while at a stop light at a busy intersection. No light on dash no warning. What if it quit when she was at a high speed. No power steering, no power brakes??That is dangerous . This happened on September 4 2025, towed straight to the KIA Dealer . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 27, 2025 · Filed: November 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact added that the collision threw her daughter forward and backward, and the contact's daughter sustained neck, shoulder, and lower back injuries, and surgery on her neck was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was then towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Incident: September 27, 2025 · Filed: October 11, 2025

While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the freeway, we would have been stranded in the fastest lane with no shoulder and with traffic approaching from the rear at 70mph. Thus we likely avoided catastrophe. There was no warning light. The problems was later determined to be caused by a manufacturer defect resulting in a connecting rod bearing failure. Pursuant to a class action settlement the engine was replaced. I'm writing to let others know that this is a potentially life-threatening danger and that the knock sensor recall does not adequately address this. Also, the dealer mischaracterized the symptoms on the engine warranty invoice, misstating the narrative above, wrongly stating "customer states CEL started flashing when driving after light appeared vehicle would not accelerate properly or start." This quote is untrue. There was no warning, and the car stalled.

Incident: September 4, 2025 · Filed: October 7, 2025

Have been denied replacement of 2013 Kia Engine due to insufficient records. The KSDS had been installed May 7, 2021. Was told because I did my own maintenance and I have receipts and dates when the maintenance was done reason for being denied. I used 5W 20 full synthetic motor oil which was over and above what the car called for and a new oil filter every time which shows on my receipts. Obvious by looking at the vehicle that it was in good shape and maintained well for being a 2013. When I presented this to Kia, they said that they have in writing that you can’t do this. All it says is that they recommend service being done by a Kia dealer . this is when I found out about the Magnus and Moss warranty act of 1975. I kept a log of service done in my car from 5, 16 2019 until present. The car just stopped in the middle of the city street. It gave no warning sensor did not work. It did not slow the car down.. my wife called AAA and had it towed to the closest dealer . Again, I have receipts of all my purchases of oil and oil filters from 2019. I appealed the decision with Kia in which they came back and gave me the decision they weren’t going to replace it. We have been without a car for close to a month. I don’t know where to turn. I will continue to work on this as much as I can do what I think is right. I will also contact a Better Business Bureau . I know of people that had zero maintenance records and not the KSDS and had their car repaired. Talking with the mechanics they said at first they were fixing everything now they’re trying not to fix everything we bought the car in 2018 with 70,000 miles right now. The car has 103,600 miles. We bought the car from a Kia used car dealer.

Incident: July 18, 2025 · Filed: August 18, 2025

my vehicle, 2013/ SL Sportage recently suffered catastrophic engine failure. I received a renotification from Kia regarding the software updates. Barely a week, [XXX], my engine seized in traffic due to rod failure which the software update could have prevented according to Metro Kia of Madison. I was also told by the same Kia authorized dealer that the repair would cost me $11,000 out of pocket in addition to the diagnostic fees of $210.87. I also contacted Kia Consumer Affairs at 1-800-333-4542 regarding this issue, but the representative told me that the defect is my responsibility as the owner of the vehicle. I think this is absurd and unacceptable. I’m a student who relies on this vehicle to commute to school. With the semester beginning and winter approaching, I can’t imagine being left without safe transportation which places me in a severely disadvantaged position. I cannot and should not bear financial responsibility for a defect Kia has already acknowledged. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 25, 2025 · Filed: August 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which had a warranty extension for the engine to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to replace the engine and referred the contact to another mechanic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the timeframe for the engine coverage extension had been exceeded, and the HECU not been replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.