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2023 Kia Sportage

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA299
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA43 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2023 Kia Sportage is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sportage Hybrid FWD, is EPA-rated at 43 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 299 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Sportage Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo + 67 kW AC IPMSM363535 (55 MPGe blended)34 mi electric402 h$1,800
Sportage Hybrid FWDHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo + 270V Li-Ion424443———$1,450
Sportage Hybrid AWDHybridAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo + 270V Li-Ion383838———$1,650
Sportage FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl253228———$2,250
Sportage AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl232825———$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 47223, 45208, 45207, 45101, 45102.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Kia Sportage is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Electrical System

SC359
5,046 vehiclesPlug-in hybrid only
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."RiskAn instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V874000reported Dec 17, 2025Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Structure

SC292
101,049 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.RiskA detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
NHTSA campaign 24V025000reported Jan 18, 2024Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Power Train

SC275
Park outside39,765 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.RiskAn electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.FixOwners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
NHTSA campaign 23V531000reported Jul 31, 2023Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SC272
98,944 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.RiskA loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
NHTSA campaign 23V410000reported Jun 7, 2023Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

SC270
108,936 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."RiskA blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
NHTSA campaign 23V298000reported Apr 26, 2023Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

SC257
76,918 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.RiskA twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.
NHTSA campaign 22V878000reported Nov 28, 2022Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Electrical System

SC248
19,701 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.RiskAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.FixDealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.
NHTSA campaign 22V651000reported Aug 29, 2022Kia America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
299complaints filed

28 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 18 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 17 · 2023: 90 · 2024: 70 · 2025: 67 · 2026: 55

Most-cited components

Electrical System83
Unspecified68
Engine66
Service Brakes42
Forward Collision Avoidance39
Power Train36

What owners describe

“1. Hybrid system failure And check engine light on . 2. Car jerk while driving and gone to limp mode and my speed was reduced to 10 mph at traffic putting my self and other in danger . 3. My vehicle is currently at the dealership getting inspected this is the second time my hybrid warning light came on and the first ti…”Jan 1, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I had been driving on the freeway for about 5 minutes, and suddenly heard broken glass in my car. It was dark (around 8pm) so I looked around as I was driving and didn't see any of my visible windows broken. I then heard more glass shattering sound and realized it was my sunroof glass that had suddenly broken. The mesh…”Oct 30, 2025 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“When engaging the cruise control using the steering wheel button, the speed will set itself at 110 miles an hour, and the vehicle will in fact attempt to reach that speed and accelerate. The problem has occurred at speeds as low as 30 miles an hour and as high as 70 miles an hour, it happens intermittently pressing the…”Aug 13, 2025 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated—
SUV FWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated—

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2023 Sportage with

2023 Honda CR-V →2023 Chevrolet Equinox →2023 Nissan Rogue →

Other Sportage model years

A

2027 Kia Sportage

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2026 Kia Sportage

1 recalls · 32 complaints

A

2025 Kia Sportage

1 recalls · 69 complaints

C

2024 Kia Sportage

3 recalls · 98 complaints

B

2022 Kia Sportage

1 recalls · 46 complaints

C

2021 Kia Sportage

2 recalls · 50 complaints

C

2020 Kia Sportage

2 recalls · 160 complaints

C

2019 Kia Sportage

2 recalls · 69 complaints

F

2018 Kia Sportage

3 recalls · 162 complaints

F

2017 Kia Sportage

4 recalls · 399 complaints

C

2016 Kia Sportage

2 recalls · 130 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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