What 146 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

Well renctly it been a disturbing knocking sound in my engine it started to happen month after i got my oil change and the more u push the gas the sound start getting louder. Since then i haven't drove my vehicle i been trying calling kia but they haven't give me no information and thats the only vehicle that gets me to work. No it haven't been inspected i been constantly calling kia dealership i havent got a called back.

NHTSA ODI 11459244

I was passing a vehicle on a 2 lane (one lane going in each direction) highway at approximately 55mph when my car engine lost power. I had to immediately get over and pull to the side of the road towing vehicle to Webster Tire and Auto in Teutopolis, IL. They originally thought it was the alternator but they said engine was knocking and needed to be replaced. I found out that there was a lawsuit for this issue and that Kia has a service campaign. Although I had searched the NTHSA website and Carfax, because I purchased the vehicle recently the only way for me to have expected the issue was for me to have contacted Kia directly or to be notified by the person who sold me the car. I was also denied a claim on this lawsuit because I had not had the service update which would have extended the warranty on the engine and fixed the knock sensor issue. This information should be readily available to consumers and owners. I had this vehicle at Walmart for an oil change and Webster tire and auto for other maintenance prior to incident and neither of those companies were aware of this service campaign.

NHTSA ODI 11459271

The car all the sudden started knocking within a day no warning and no engine light, so towed to KIA dealer. Confirmed engine needs to be replaced. This is concerns as I'm reading there are known issues with this engine even causing fires. The stated that there is a product and campaign to update the sensor not that isn't working but to make it more sensitive to engine issue but her check engine never even came on and the engine is done. Kia will not cover the engine replacement even though there are many having this issue because she didn't get the sensor update done even though there is nothing when you look up her car on the site to tell her and we didn't get a notice. There is no way to track that they notified us.

NHTSA ODI 11453687

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated and there was a knocking noise heard. The vehicle had an engine replacement from a previous engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there were no leaks or smoke detected and reset the engine sensor. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that they could not perform a comprehensive diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435621

My husband and daughter were in the car and the car lights came on and stopped working. The engine stopped working. We tried to replace the battery and starter. We took it to Kia dealership knowing I have 100,000 mile warranty on the engine. They are denying it because I didn’t get a recall that I didn’t know about. If you pull up my VIN number there are no safety recalls. I know don’t have a car.

NHTSA ODI 11434307

While driving on the highway at 60 mph the car without warnings turned off and I could not move the steering wheel easily or even hit the breaks. luckely I was able to turn my emergency lights on which alerted the semi-truck behind me who slowed down and I was able to pull to the right lane and once I felt the car slowed down enough stepped on the emergency breaks. I attempted to turn on the car but no luck, there wasn't any warning signs. so I called my AAA to come check the batteries and/or fuel because I wasn't sure what was going on. While the AAA technichian was checking he discovered that there was no oil in the car, which was odd since I replaced the oil less than a month before and I still had 2000miles for my next service. I towed my car to Shawnee Mission Kia, as soon as they checked my VIN the service person stated that "my car is on the list for an engine recall" so he said they will inspect it and get back to me. 2 days later they came back stating that I failed to respond to an ECU software update which voids my warranty. keep in mind I never got any recall letter, and even when they mentioned it I went on the KIA website and inserted my vin and there was no recall reported. At which point decided to take it to another KIA dealer hoping to deal with level minded people, they checked my VIN# and said my car qualifies for a recall, and they will inspect and let me know. 2 days later they stated the same thing. now I have been struggling to find a car, and not sure what I need to do to get my recall granted. I am a 2 time KIA owner and this service have surely convinced me not to buy any KIA any more. any help is much appreciated.

NHTSA ODI 11424881

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sportage. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that she was responsible for the cost of the repair since she had failed to complete a recall repair of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact she was responsible for the cost of the repair because she did not complete a Product Improvement campaign. The failure mileage was 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422783

I was driving my Sportage at 70 miles an hour on the freeway here in Fort Worth and the car died just shut off leaving me trying to control a car in the fast lane with no engine. It was hard steering and I got it over the three lanes of traffic to exit off the freeway. No power, no warning, no check engine light absolutely Nothing. Died.. Once off freeway car would not crank, lightup, turned key nothing. At least I could get the car stopped by stomping on the brakes before I caused a major accident or someone from behind ran me over causing an accident. Scared the ever living daylights out of me and I'm a guy who really doesn't scare to easily. What if it had been my wife. Worse part is I was on my way to the emergency hospital because my wife had just been admitted for a horrible infectious cat bite that is possibly going to take her hand or her life because of raging infection in her body. So, had I not been able to man handle the car I could of been laying next to her or possibly in the morgue because of this incident of the engine seizing. Besides the fact that my safety was put in jeopardy so were all the others on this busy interstate. I had to literally cut people off that we going the speed limit with me going like 60, 50,40,30,20,10 then dead. There have been no recall notices for this vehicle. I have checked your website and Kia's. Nothing which means we never got a recall notice. So, we were unaware of this potential critical accident waiting to happen. We towed to the dealer only to be told we didn't get a knock sensor detection system part put on the car. Well first of all we never got a recall notice cuz we are not listed. Second the knock sensor is just going to shut off the engine as the engine is seizing and still have the car die with no prior warning. Hyundai and Kia new about this engine problem since 2012 and has continued to use this engine all the while not caring about the publics safety to the tune of over 630,000 and counting.

NHTSA ODI 11420229

Engine stalled, misfired while driving resulting in unrepairable engine damage. The engine stalled in the mid of the highway and could have led to an accident. The check engine light started to flash while i was driving. After the engine stalled, i had the car inspected by a repair shop called national tires and batteries in Zanesville Ohio and they informed me of a bulletin that was placed on the car that mentions the issue. I had the car towed to the nearest dealer and they inspected the car and confirmed that it was the same issue mentioned in the bulletin and began to replace the engine because it was still under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11419468

ON 12/24/18 MY 2015 KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE SEIZED AS I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE THEY GOT A NEW ENGINE. I DID NOT GET MY CAR UNTIL MID AUGUST OF 2019. WHEN I GOT MY CAR BACK IT WAS CONSUMING A LOT OF GAS. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE HIGH FUEL CONSUMPTION UNTIL I TOOK MY CAR ON A ROAD TRIP ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I GOT MY CAR AND IT WAS ONLY GIVING ME ONLY ABOUT 200 MILES FOR A FULL TANK OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE ISSUE, BUT THEY ONLY ASKED WHY I HAD WAITED SO LONG. I TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT APPARENT TO ME BECAUSE I WAS ONLY DRIVING MY CAR FOR ERRANDS. THEY WOULD NOT CHECK MY CAR AS IT WAS NOT THROWING ANY ERRORS. I CONTINUED COMPLAINING AND THEY FINALLY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AFTER WHICH THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I HAD THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED, BUT CAR CONTINUED TO CONSUME TOO MUCH GAS. A FEW MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR "HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE MAY LEAK". I TOOK THE TO THE CAR TO THE DEALER AROUND LATE MAY OR EARLY JUNE OF 2021 AND THEY CONDUCTED THE RECALL REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO REIMBURSED FOR MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR REPLACING OXYGEN SENSORS. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS, MY CAR STILL CONTINUED TO CONSUME TOO MUCH GAS. TOWARDS THE END OF FEBRUARY 2021 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I STARTED SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE MY CAR. THE DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/8/21 AND TOLD ME THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, BUT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY CAR JUST REACHED 103K MILES AND HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES SINCE THE ENGINE SEIZED AND WAS REPLACED. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND NOW I HAVE A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT HAS LOST POWER AND SMELLS OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11405411

ENGINE USES APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL PER MONTH WITH MINIMAL USAGE DUE TO COVID

NHTSA ODI 11396464

NOTICE THAT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THEN THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE NORMAL AGAIN. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING NOW FOR THE PAST 4-5 MONTHS. I FIGURED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE LAST RECALL THAT WE HAD, BUT THAT CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MAY SHUT DOWN WHILE I'M DRIVING AS THIS MAY CAUSE AND ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11386497

RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11375691

ON 10/9/2020 DRIVING SOUTH ON PA. TURNPIKE NE EXTENSION WHEN ENGINE STATED KNOCKING AND LOSING POWER. PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION. THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AS THEY WERE VERY BUSY. WHEN THEY DID LOOK AT IT THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS SOMETHING WENT WRONG INTERNALLY WITH THE ENGINE. THEY SAID THEY COULD GET IT TO START BUT THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN AS THE KNOCKING ON THE ENGINE WAS GETTING EXTREMELY LOUD WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER SERVICE STATION CLOSER TO HOME. IT SAT THERE FOR A WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. THEY REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE CABIN AIR FILTER, CAM SHAFT WT SOLENOID - EXHAUST WITH AN OEM PART. WHEN REPLACING THE SOLENOID THEY NOTICED METAL SHAVINGS IN THE MOTOR OIL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD PROBABLY BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 93735 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11365597

MY CAR STALLED AND EMIT A LARGE CLOUD OF EXHAUST WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY KIND OF PROBLEM. KIA HAS NOW TOLD ME I NEED A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326407

I OWN A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 148,898 MILES ON IT. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS, I KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND GET OIL CHANGES REGULARLY. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS AT 143,122 MILES. FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND I COULD HEAR A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT A TOW TRUCK TO TOW ME TO THE CLOSEST MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR AT ALL AND IT WAS BONE DRY BUT NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. THE ENGINE IS NOW RUINED.

NHTSA ODI 11300639

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RATTLING IN ENGINE. GOT CODE CHECKED AND P0014. DID PROPER MAINTENANCE FOR THE ERROR AND THE SLUGGISH ENGINE AND RATTLING PERSISTED. I THEN TOOK CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH REVEALED METAL IN THE OIL AND CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE. THEY RECOMMEND A NEW ENGINE. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN A TWO DAY SPAN AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK ONE MORNING (THE DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON).

NHTSA ODI 11300066

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE HE SUSPECTED AN ISSUE WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WESTGATE KIA (10956 STAR RD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587, (919) 263-3061) WHERE AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS DISCOVERED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED PER THE RECALL AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. THE DEALER CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PAY TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,400. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11282832

MY CAR STALLS. IT STALLS WHILE IDLING, AT A LIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. ALTHOUGH THE LAST IS LESS COMMON IT HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TO BE FRIGHTENING. I PURCHASED THE CAR 3 YEARS AGO AND IT STALLED UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS IN 3 TIME IMMEDIAATELY. SINCE THEN THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN CORAL SPRINGS FLORIDA HAS TOLD ME THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG. SOMETIMES IS SEEMS TO BACKFIRE BEFORE STALLING AND OTHERS STALL QUIETLY. IT IS RARE FIR THE CAR TO GET THROUGH BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WITHOUT STALLING. IF I IDLE FOR FIVE OR SIX MINUTES IT STALLS. GOING AROUND CLOVER LEAVES ON HIGHWAYS IT STALL. IT HAS STALLED HUNDRED OF TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11279398

I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN ON THE OFF RAMP, AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. I CRANKED IT BACK UP AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO A MECHANIC. IT BEGAN MAKING A NOISE (ONLY WHEN I FIRST PRESSED ON THE GAS). THE MECHANIC DROVE IT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOTTOM END OF MY MOTOR.

NHTSA ODI 11265950

THIS VEHICLE HAD A SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEM. THE CAR STOPPED AND CUT OFF AT A STOPLIGHT RECENTLY. OIL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM AND NOW HAS TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE PART THAT CONTROLS EXHAUST, CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING. THAT IS THE ENGINE CODE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. MECHANIC SUGGESTS THAT THE CAR HAS NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE TIMING BELT SOMETIMES WON'T LET ENGINE TURN OVER. AND THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM IN FRONT OF THE MOTOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM COMBINED WITH A POOR SEAL ON MOTOR, AND THE OIL PAN HAD A SERIOUS LEAK. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE OIL BECAME A BIG PROBLEM. GOING TO WORK AND HAD TO STOP AND GET IT LOOKED AT. DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD TOWARDS WORK, THANKFULLY A FARMER HELPED ME SINCE THE LEAK WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI 11240933

ENGINE STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUND WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TO HOUSTON TX AND THE ENGINE STALL ON ROAD. VERY BUSY ROAD. FORTUNATELY COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND. AFTER CONTACT KIA MOTORS THEY SENT WRECKER SERVICE. BUT DID NOT TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP BUT GARAGE IN NEAREST TOWN. MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHY VEHICLE WAS SENT TO HIM. I HAD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TOW CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP. AT DEALERSHIP NOW THEY SAY ENGINE IS PART OF RECALL BUT I NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTICE TO TAKE OUR VEHICLE IN. NOW OVER A MONTH LATER STILL NO CAR AND NO ANSWER AS TO WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. AND PAYING FOR RENTAL. I GUESS THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR FATALLY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11205760

I PURCHASED 2015 KIA SPORTAGE AT PEAK KIA IN LITTLETON COLORADO JULY 2015 NEW 0 MILES. ON APRIL 19,2019 I CONTACTED KIA DEALERSHIP 303-904-7800 BECAUSE THE CAR DASH WENT COMPLETELY BLANK, I SPOKE TO CURTIS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR TRYING TO DISCUSS MY ISSUE, I REPLACED MY BATTERY, THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO PEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A VEHICLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT MY CAR UNTIL MONDAY 4/22/2019. I WENT THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER AND FINALLY WAS GIVEN A VEHICLE TO DRIVE. ON 4/27/2019 THE DEALERSHIP WANTED THE LOANER VEHICLE BACK AND PUT ME INTO A RENTAL CAR, MY FRUSTRATION WITH BEING IN A RENTAL INSTEAD OF THE COURTESY VEHICLE IS THAT I ELECTED RENTAL CAR INSURANCE WHICH I AM PAYING OUT OF POCKET DUE TO THE FACT THAT RENTAL CAR AGENCIES WILL FIND ANY DING OR DENT AND MAKE YOU PAY IF INSURANCE IS NOT ADDED. I FEEL LIKE THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED A COURTESY VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE AT PEAK KIA, PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS A CONSUMER I DID MY PART, THE PURCHASE OF THIS NEW VEHICLE HAS NOT REACHED THE 4 YEAR MARK? KIA HAS 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE MOTOR. I WAS INFORMED BY PEAK THAT KIA WILL PUT A REFURBISHED ENGINE IN THE CAR WITH 12,000 WARRANTY AND 1 YEAR SO I AM LOSING MY ADDITIONAL 30,000 MILE WARRANTY AND 6 YEARS OF WARRANTY FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE. THE REASON THAT I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE WITH 0 MILES AND COMPLETED SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS WAS TO ELIMINATE MECHANICAL ISSUES .

NHTSA ODI 11205464

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN SOMETHING GAVE OUT ON ME. I WAS PUSHING ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AT FIRST UNTIL I CALLED AAA AND HAD THEM CHECK WHAT WAS WRONG. AT FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS THE STARTER BECAUSE WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY, THE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE. I HAD TO LEAVE IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OVERNIGHT. THAT NEXT MORNING I CALLED A TOW AND HAD THEM TAKE IT TO A NEARBY AUTO MECHANIC. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT SEIZED UP ON ME AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME BETWEEN 2 TO 3K! THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL THAT LEAKED EVERYWHERE BUT I HAD DONE AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR. SO I'M MAKING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I'VE READ ABOUT THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS THAT OCCURRED WITH OTHER PEOPLE OUT OF NOWHERE!

NHTSA ODI 11205502

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR WHILE APPROACHING TRAIN TRACKS THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULDN'T DO SO. I HAD JUST ENOUGH MOMEMTIUM TO GET ME OVER THE TRACKS. I PULLED ONSIDE THE SHOULDER SHUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY. WHEN I TRIED TO CUT ON CAR AGAIN IT SHUT IMMEDIATELY OFF. I SAT THERE 10-15 MINS AND IT CUT BACK ON. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT AGAIN IT CUT OFF AGAIN AFTER 5 MINS. THIS WENT ON FOR ALMOST AND HOUR FOR ME TO GET HOME WHICH WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE AWAY. NOW WHEN I TRY TO CUT IT ON IT SHUTTERS AND CUTS OFF. THE ENGINE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED ON A MAIN STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11160918