2024 Kia Sportage Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 21, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

The vehicle experiences an intermittent, severe safety malfunction tied to the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) auto-stop system. When brought to a complete stop at intersections or red lights, the engine shuts off normally to conserve fuel. However, when releasing the brake pedal, the engine completely fails to auto-restart and stalls out in live traffic. The vehicle locks up, flashes an error message on the instrument cluster instructing the driver to shift to Park or Neutral to restart, and requires a hard manual key cycle to get the vehicle moving again. This intermittent defect has occurred over the past year, creating an extreme hazard for rear-end collisions in high-traffic intersections. The component is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle was presented to an authorized dealership on October 21, 2026, at 31,985 miles specifically for this stalling defect. The technician documented the complaint on the Repair Order but was unable to duplicate the stalling during a brief road test, noting that values were within factory specifications at that moment and taking no repair action. The manufacturer has not yet issued a recall or permanent remedy for this generation of vehicle stalling.

Incident: September 2, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

1. COMPONENT & INSPECTION: Electrical System / CAN-Bus network architecture and gateway modules. The vehicle and parts are available for inspection upon request. 2. SAFETY RISK: The CAN-bus drops communication while driving at road speeds. Critical safety systems—including Forward Collision-Avoidance, Blind-Spot Monitors, and Electronic Stability Control—instantly shut down mid-trip. Losing active stability and driver assists while moving on public highways poses an immediate, severe crash hazard to myself and others. 3. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. An authorized Kia dealer scanned the vehicle and confirmed multiple logged historical network communication error codes (U-codes), verifying a system-wide network failure. 4. OTHER INSPECTIONS: Inspected only by the Kia dealer technician. However, because the failure is intermittent, the dealer simply cleared the fault codes and released the vehicle without performing physical diagnostics or repairs. Kia America Corporate opened a consumer case but has since ghosted all communication. No police or insurance inspections have occurred yet as a crash has not yet happened. 5. WARNING LAMPS & FIRST APPEARANCE: No advance warnings occur. The failure happens instantly mid-drive. Symptoms include a sudden, simultaneous "Christmas tree" illumination of warning lights (Stability Control, Braking, and Lane Assist). These symptoms first appeared in September 2026 and recur intermittently.

Incident: May 9, 2026 · Filed: October 6, 2026

On XXX, while driving my 2024 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige on [XXX] after exiting XXX, traveling west toward [XXX], the panoramic moonroof glass suddenly shattered without warning. It sounded like a gunshot going off very loudly inside the vehicle and badly startled both me and my service dog. The glass had no known prior damage, nothing had been placed on it, and I did not see or hear anything strike it. I pulled over and found the panoramic glass extensively shattered, with thousands of small fragments and areas of glass missing. I saw no evidence of an external impact. I received a superficial cut to my finger from a glass fragment; no medical attention was required. The interior sunshade was closed and prevented the shattered glass above it from falling directly onto me and my service dog. Glass fragments were still found inside the vehicle after the repair was completed. Multiple photographs document the extensive damage. The moonroof was repaired through insurance, but no cause for the sudden glass failure was identified. Kia America opened Case #XXX, escalated the matter for additional review, and requested post-incident photographs and incident details, which I provided. Kia later stated it had completed its review, cited factory-warranty glass coverage and the absence of applicable campaigns, and declined further assistance. I was not provided with a diagnosed cause for the glass failure. This vehicle also has a separate recurring safety concern involving unexpected engine shutdowns while driving or in traffic, including a shutdown at approximately 60 mph the following day, May 10. Those incidents were reported separately to NHTSA under Complaint #XXX. I am not asserting that the glass failure and shutdowns have the same cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 10, 2026 · Filed: October 6, 2026

My 2024 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige has experienced at least 3 intermittent, unexpected engine shutdowns while driving or in traffic. The cause remains unidentified. The first occurred before [XXX] (exact date unknown). While stopped at a red light in Drive, I realized the vehicle had completely shut off. The engine was not running and all screens/displays were black. There was no warning. On [XXX], the same failure occurred without warning at approximately 60 mph during a longer highway drive. The engine shut off and all screens went black. I nearly collided with an 18-wheeler. No collision occurred. I was directed to call 911, and the vehicle was towed from the highway to a Kia dealership. The cause was not diagnosed. On [XXX], during a long-distance drive from Asheville to Wilmington, NC, the vehicle again shut off while I was still in Drive and slowing normally toward a red light. Warning lights/chimes appeared and the engine shut off BEFORE I shifted to Park. After shifting to Park, the display stated, “Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually.” I restarted the vehicle. A picture documenting the vehicle immediately after this event is included in my attached evidence packet. The cause remains unknown despite extensive testing and Kia Tech Line involvement. On [XXX], I drove approximately 40 minutes with a Kia master technician and diagnostic flight recorder, at speeds up to approximately 80 mph; the failure did not reproduce. On [XXX], I was told Tech Line wanted me to drive the vehicle for approximately 2 weeks with a flight recorder to capture another occurrence. After these repeated shutdowns, particularly the ~60 mph near-collision, I no longer feel confident driving the vehicle or transporting my family while the cause remains unidentified. I am concerned another shutdown could occur where I cannot safely avoid a collision. Detailed chronology and supporting evidence are attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: March 15, 2026 · Filed: September 18, 2026

I purchased a used 2024 Kia Sportage EX Gas that showed signs of trim peel at 5,000 miles. My extended warranty said they do not cover trim. I noticed multiple cars in our parking lot experiencing the same issues on 2024 or older models. In addition, the low gas indicator does not appear on the infotainment system after the Kia Connect expired despite gas being as low as 32 miles projected (avg. 24 mpg normal range). The Sportage lane assists yellow indicator comes on sporadically when changing lanes without or with the turn signal on. The steering assist will turn off when you go through a intersection and is not reliable enough to even turn on as it will give you a false sense of protection and intimately turn off.

Incident: September 16, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the glass panel between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof exploded, causing glass to fall into the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 16, 2026

The SRS/airbag warning light illuminates and flashes, accompanied by a seat belt warning chime while the driver seat belt is fastened. I scanned the SRS module and retrieved DTC B1511-00 (Driver Seat Belt Buckle Switch Open Or Short To Battery) and B1515-00 (Driver Seat Belt Buckle Switch Defect), logged across two events. I purchased this vehicle used from a franchised dealer. I took it to that same dealer for diagnosis. Their technician found that the wiring harness under the driver seat had been cut and twisted back together. That splice was present before I purchased the vehicle. The dealership inspected and resold the vehicle to me in that condition and did not disclose any prior repair or modification to the restraint system wiring. As a result, the driver airbag and seat belt pretensioner may not deploy correctly in a crash. The dealer has denied warranty coverage on the basis of tampering and quoted over $2,000 for the part. The removed harness is in the dealer's possession and should be available for inspection.

Incident: August 23, 2026 · Filed: August 24, 2026

I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I expected the system to recognize a potential collision. I have not intentionally caused a collision or placed a person or another vehicle in danger. I am uncertain whether this behavior represents normal FCA operating limitations, the use of an inappropriate target, or a malfunction or calibration issue. I am therefore reporting the concern rather than asserting that a defect has been established. I am also uncertain what diagnostic or functional validation procedure Kia provides for this system. I have been able to find information regarding radar alignment, camera calibration, and diagnostic fault checking, but I have not been able to determine whether Kia provides dealers with a standardized functional test that verifies that FCW/AEB actually recognizes an appropriate vehicle target and intervenes at the expected point. The concern has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been subjected to a standardized ADAS functional test using a recognized vehicle target. No warning lamps or diagnostic messages have appeared that I am aware of. The potentially affected components are Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking within the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance System. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Incident: August 23, 2026 · Filed: August 24, 2026

I am reporting a concern regarding the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on my 2024 Kia Sportage SX Prestige. I have been attempting to understand the operating behavior of the vehicle’s FCA system using cardboard boxes as targets. I conducted observations at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) as well as at approximately 30 mph. During these observations, the vehicle did not provide a forward collision warning or automatic braking at distances at which I expected the system to recognize a potential collision. I have not intentionally caused a collision or placed a person or another vehicle in danger. I am uncertain whether this behavior represents normal FCA operating limitations, the use of an inappropriate target, or a malfunction or calibration issue. I am therefore reporting the concern rather than asserting that a defect has been established. I am also uncertain what diagnostic or functional validation procedure Kia provides for this system. I have been able to find information regarding radar alignment, camera calibration, and diagnostic fault checking, but I have not been able to determine whether Kia provides dealers with a standardized functional test that verifies that FCW/AEB actually recognizes an appropriate vehicle target and intervenes at the expected point. The concern has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not yet been subjected to a standardized ADAS functional test using a recognized vehicle target. No warning lamps or diagnostic messages have appeared that I am aware of. The potentially affected components are Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking within the vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance System. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Incident: July 23, 2026 · Filed: July 23, 2026

I’ve had to replace my front windshield twice every year due to it cracking straight down the middle.