Home · 2013 Kia Sportage Phev · Complaints

What 380 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sportage Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (380)Crash / fire / injury (28)Engine (300)Brakes (25)Electrical system (22)Transmission & drivetrain (18)Engine & cooling (14)Fuel system (9)Body & structure (6)Suspension (6)Airbags (4)Speed control (4)

Newest first · 380 complaints · page 7 of 16

Oct 27, 2020Engine

WAS DRIVING WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING/RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE. ATTEMPTED TO PRESS IN GAS BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ROLLED TO A STOP AND DIED. WOULD NOT START FOR ABOUT A DAY, THEN WOULD START FOR A MINUTE THEN DIE. ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND BATTERY LIGHT ALL CAME ON. THE BATTERY WAS NEW AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT LEAST TWO DAYS BEFORE. ENGINE LIGHT HAD NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE

NHTSA ODI 11366669

Oct 26, 2020Engine

WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY OFF THE ROAD BUT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. DROVE IT ON HOME WHICH WAS LESS THAN 1 MILE.

NHTSA ODI 11366422

Oct 17, 2020Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND. I HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUED. AS I APPROACHED A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION THE ENGINE STOP AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED. I MANAGED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND COAST INTO AN EMPTY LOT JUST FAR ENOUGH THAT THE CAR WAS NOT STICKING OUT INTO THE STREET. AT THAT TIME I CONTACTED KIA AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK FROM A TOWING COMPANY UNKNOWN TO ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11364770

Oct 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING CAR THE ENGINE CEASED CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL WITH CHILD IN THE CAR. THE CAR WITH ONLY 72,000 MILES ON IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA WHO REFUSED TO FIX THE ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER 2013 KIA SPORTAGE CARS BUT THIS VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENGINE RECALL. THIS CAR ENGINE PROBLEM IS A DANGER AND COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CRASH OR DEATH WITH THE CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. KIA OBVIOUSLY HAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THERE ENGINES, BUT CONTINUE TO LET PEOPLE PUT THEIR LIVES IN JEOPARDY BY NOT RECALLING THEIR ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11364734

Oct 9, 2020Engine

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING SOUND. THE OIL, BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BUT IT JUST MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WOULD NOT TURN ON

NHTSA ODI 11363521

Oct 5, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF IRVINE (45 OLDFIELD, IRVINE, CA 92618) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11362788

Sep 27, 2020Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREE THE ENGINE HAD A SMALL PULL ON IT. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT HOWEVER JUST A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THE ENGINE STALLED. ON THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY. I WAS GOING TO FREEWAY SPEED LIMIT(70) MAYBE 5/6 OVER. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST MOMENTS EVER, I HAD TIME TO AT LEAST PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BUT I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO YES I DID GET MY REGULAR TUNE UPS AS WELL AS OIL CHANGE EVERY 3 MONTHS. THIS CAR WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I LOVE HOW THE ENGINES BEFORE THIS ONE WERE RECALLED BUT THERE'S SO ANY COMPLAINTS ON THERE CURRENT ENGINE AND THEY WON'T RECALL THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11361344

Sep 26, 2020Engine

NO CHECK ENGINE OR OIL LIGHT DISPLAYED. ENGINE HAS 183,936 MILES. ENGINE STARTED RATTLING WHILE PRESSING ACCELERATOR AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 11361251

Sep 25, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURER DEFECT DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A DOCUMENT STATING THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI 11361075

Sep 17, 2020Engine

WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A TERRIBLE, METAL-ON-MENTAL NOISE IN THE ENGINE. AT FIRST IT WAS A LITTLE NOISE AND AS I KEPT DRIVING IT GOT MORE PERSISTENT SO I PULLED OVER BEFORE ANYTHING COULD GET WORSE. TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID METAL GOT MIXED IN THE OIL AND CAUSED DAMAGE INTERNALLY WITHIN THE ENGINE. SO NOW IT NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ONE.

NHTSA ODI 11355623

Sep 11, 2020Engine

ENGINE SEIZED! VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AND OIL, ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. OIL WAS FINE, CAR STOPPED, MADE NOISES AND WOULD NOT WORK THEREAFTER.

NHTSA ODI 11354399

Sep 8, 2020Engine

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK USING CITY STREETS I HEARD A VERY FAINT AND INTERMITTENT KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY HOME. SO AS MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LEAVING TO GO TO THE GYM(2.5 MILES AWAY) I TOLD HIM THE CAR IS MAKING A NOISE. THE KNOCKING WAS A LITTLE LOUDER AND STEADIER. COMING HOME THE KNOCKING WAS SUPER LOUD AND WHEN I MADE MY TURN THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE MUCH POWER. L PULLED INTO THE CARPORT AND LEFT THE ENGINE ON SO WE COULD INVESTIGATE AND IT WAS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. I TURNED IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE ROYAL KIA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. ON MONDAY. THE SERVICE REP CALLED AND SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO THE ROD BEARINGS FAILING. IT WOULD BE $9600 TO PUT IN A USED ENGINE. I HAVE 88,300 MILES ON IT. THE NEXT DAY I LEFT A MESSAGE QUESTIONING IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HE CALLED BACK AND STATED THAT HE "REALIZED" LATE LAST NIGHT THAT IT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY SO KIA WILL BE REPLACING THE ENGINE WITH A BRAND NEW ONE AT NO COST.

NHTSA ODI 11353882

Sep 2, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY WITH MY BABY IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR AND MY ENGINE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE WHO SAID THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I THEN TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND DISCUSSED WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE ISSUE. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE 'IN GOOD FAITH' STATING THAT THIS ISSUE IS BEING RECALLED IN OVER 1 MILLION VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE BUT MY 2013 KIA SPORTAGE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL SOLELY DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR THAT IS USED ON MY ENGINE(I HAVE AN MFI INSTEAD OF A GDI) AND NOTED THAT IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SAME EXACT ENGINE IN MANY OF THE VEHICLES. AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR AND PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THE TOWS AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS RELATING TO REPLACING MY ENGINE KIA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT AND ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE MY ENGINE WITH THE LIFETIME WARRANTY AND KNOCK DETECTION SENSOR THAT THE GDI MODELS ARE RECEIVING AND REPLACED MY SHORT BLOCK WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THIS HAS NOW BECAME A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE THETA 2 MFI MOTORS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11352894

Sep 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR LOST POWER AT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I TAKE IT TO MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT I THREW A ROD AND THAT IT CRACKED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF KIA SPORT AGE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. BUT THE BEARINGS CAME LOOSE AND IT THREW A ROD JUST LIKE THE OTHER 2013 KIA SPORTAGES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED

NHTSA ODI 11352528

Aug 25, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY CAR AND IT STOPPED ACCELERATING DESPITE MY FOOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I LOST POWER. NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF ON THE DISPLAY DASH. THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I TRIED TURNING OVER THE IGNITION BUT THE ENGINE JUST CLANKED BUT DIDN'T START. I HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT READ ANYTHING ABNORMAL. ONLY AFTER I PULLED OVER DID THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS STILL FULL. I LOOKED UNDER THE FRAME AND NOTICED DRIPPING OIL. I NOTICED PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND AND RETRIEVED THEM. (PHOTO 1) THEY APPEAR TO BE PISTON CONNECTING ROD PIECES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT IN PLACE FOR ISSUES RELATED TO CONNECTING ROD BEARING WEAR LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN THE ENGINE SEIZING INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH, DAMAGED PISTONS, AND A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK WITH THE ENGINES IN 2011-2019 KIA SPORTAGES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L OR 2.4L GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE.(ENGINE FAILURE AND FIRE).I HAVE A 2013 2.4L. (RECALL NUMBER 17V224000. KIA'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS SC147) ALTHOUGH ACCORDING TO THE KIA WEBSITE, MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO FREE INSPECTION AND REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED ENGINES, LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY REPAIRS, FREE INSTALLATION OF THE KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE (FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL 17V-224), AS WELL AS GOODWILL COMPENSATION. THE OIL SPILLED OUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BED DURING THE TRIP TO MY HOUSE. I ASSESSED THE DAMAGE WITH MY DAD AND NOTICED THE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. (PHOTO 2). WE REALIZED THE ROD BLEW THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK.

NHTSA ODI 11351166

Aug 25, 2020Engine

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM USED CAR LOT WITH A NEW INSPECTION STICKER. VEHICLE HAD 83K MILES AT PURCHASE. VEHICLE ENGINE BLEW AT 84K MILES. DRIVING APPROX. 40MP AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. WOULDN'T RESTART. GARAGE SAID THE ENGINE IS BLOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11351194

Aug 22, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 70-75 MPH WHEN THE MOTOR FAILED. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO WARNING UNTIL AFTER IT BLEW. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND ABOUT 10-15 SECOND BEFORE I FELT THE ENGINE GAVE OUT--I FELT IT UNDER MY FOOT IN THE PEDAL. I LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY, I COULD STEER BUT HAD NO ACCELERATION. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO GET THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED AN OIL CHANGE A COUPLE WEEKS PREVIOUS, HE STATED THE MOTOR BLEW. HE STATED THIS HIM SURPRISE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT WHEN HE COMPLETED THE OIL CHANGE. I BECAME AWARE OF THE MOTOR RECALLS THROUGH A DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THOUGHT HE COULD HELP AND WAS SHOCKED TO READ THE EXACT THINGS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS. I ATTEMPTED TO WORK THIS OUT WITH KIA AND WAS INFORM MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT CAUSE HARM TO MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE AS THIS WAS A BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ON, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.

NHTSA ODI 11350762

Aug 15, 2020Engine

VEHICLE HAS 129265 MILES, IT HAS ALWAYS HAD SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES ONE DAY I COMMENTED TO MY HUSBAND THE CAR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RUNNING RIGHT, LACKING POWER. AS WE PULLED OUT FROM THE NEXT RED LIGHT CLIMBING A HILL I HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE.. WE DROVE ABOUT A MILE AND LOST MORE POWER AND A LOUD RAPPING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE., I PULLED OVER AND MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE OIL WAS LOOKED CLEAR AND DID NOT SMELL BURNT, COOLANT LEVEL WAS IN NORMAL RANGE BUT NEAR LOW MARK, NO WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THROUGH THIS EVENT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, I CALLED FOR A TOW, BY THE TIME MY SON GOT THERE ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER THE CAR DID RESTART, THE RAPPING IN MOTOR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11349536

Aug 6, 2020Engine

AT 72355 MILES ROD BEARING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH

NHTSA ODI 11343600

Aug 6, 2020EngineFire

AT 97,XXX MILES, THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS FAILED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE FAILURE RUPTURED THE OIL PAN, SPRAYING OIL ON THE ENGINE, EXHAUST HEADERS, AND THE ROAD. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, NOISE, OR PERFORMANCE LOSS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE SEEMS SIMILAR TO OTHER FAILURES WITH KIA AND HYUNDAI ENGINES, HOWEVER THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE WAS NOT LISTED IN A NHTSA RECALL. KIA HAS REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE FAILURE, STATING IT WAS NOT "DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT". THE ENGINE MODEL IS A 2.4L DOHC MPI THETA-II. OTHER THETA-II ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLED, JUST NOT THIS VERY SPECIFIC TYPE.

NHTSA ODI 11343638

Jul 21, 2020Engine

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, LOUD NOISE FROM ENGINE LOSS OF POWER AND OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, HAD TO ABANDON THE VEHICLE AND RUN TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED, A ROD PUSHED THROUGH THE BLOCK. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPEN, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD COLLISION. CONTACTED KIA, THEY WERE NO HELP, THE VEHICLE HAS LES THAN 70K MILES AND I'M A SECOND OWNER. KIA COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS.

NHTSA ODI 11340556

Jul 10, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. EARNHARDT KIA LOCATED AT 2121 EAST BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85022, AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,969.

NHTSA ODI 11338647

Jul 8, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. A LOUD BOOM WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ROYAL KIA LOCATED AT 4333 E. SPEEDWAY BLVD, TUCSON, AZ 85712, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11338241

Jun 27, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I BEGAN HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. I NOTICED THAT IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR ME TO ACCELERATE AND FELT AS IF THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BREAK DOWN ON ME RIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. I DROVE IT HOME BUT THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO SIGNAL A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND ASSOCIATED IT WITH A RECALL #SC147 HOWEVER OUR VIN WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT IT DEFINITELY SHOULD BE! WE TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH FOUND THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE LOWER END CRANKSHAFT BEARING AND WOULD REQUIRE A BRAND NEW ENGINE AND WOULD COST $6000-$9000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL THAT I MENTIONED BUT DOES NOT FOR SOME REASON RELATE TO THIS RECALL. WE ARE THE FIRST OWNERS, HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 7 YEARS, GET REGULAR SERVICE ON THE CAR AND ONLY HAVE 129,000 MILES ON IT. WE WILL NOT BE REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331233

Jun 23, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL, ON MY WAY HOME. THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A FLUTTERING NOISE SO I THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY ROTORS. HOWEVER, THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FORM OF CHIRPS AND GOT LOUDER AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I CAME TO A STOP AT CONSTRUCTION AND WHEN I WENT TO GO FORWARD THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 2000 RPM. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT, IT MADE A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE. SOUNDED LIKE A BELT FLAPPING AROUND AND SOMETHING ELSE MADE THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE IDENTIFIED METAL FLAKES IN THE OIL. THE ENGINE IS CONFIRMED TO HAVE FAILED. THE BREAKING OF THE ENGINE IS NOT TO USER ERROR AS I HAVE KEPT IT VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD FREQUENT OIL CHANGE/ TUNE UPS. THE INCIDENT WAS OUT OF THE BLUE AND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILING. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THANKFULLY I WAS ON A LOCAL MOUNTAIN ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330445

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Working with the data? Download all 380 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Kia Sportage Phev verdict →