2013 KIA Sportage problems
Owners have filed 449 complaints about the 2013 KIA Sportage with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 66.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 4.9%.
Complaints449
Crashes6
Fires35
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 66.8% · 300
Unknown or other 6.0% · 27
Electrical system 4.9% · 22
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.2% · 19
Power train 4.0% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 3.1% · 14
Fuel/propulsion system 1.6% · 7
Structure 1.3% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 6 describe a crash, 35 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 21 model years of the KIA Sportage in this data, 2013 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 57 in the last three years against 109 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 94,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Was driving home at 11pm on freeway 2nd lane from right side, and engine started making a subtle knocking noise that gradually got louder. Vehicle began to lose power, and as the vehicle stalled, the check engine light came on at that moment. I shut power off to the vehicle and turned it back on, no check engine light however engine was knocking and shaking. I made it slowly and safely off freeway at that point. Engine
My wife and I were returning from a trip; traveling at highway speeds. The engine made a weird mechanical noise and after about 10-15 seconds, knocking and rattling noises were coming from the engine. I looked at the dashboard and all my light indicators were turned on. The car stalled out as I was driving. I pulled the car over on the emergency shoulder and turned the engine off. The car never started up again. Engine · reported at 132,000 miles
I was making a slight turn while accelerating approximately 45mph when the vehicle just lost power. I fortunate enough to pull over in a safe spot. The car wouldnt stsrt again and had to be towed. My independent mechanic took a look a stated the engine seized. It has now been towed to KIA dealership near by. Hopefully the extended warranty for either the long block, short block, or rods will cover the repairs. Engine · reported at 108,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…