What 158 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Sportage Phev Phev

The oil was leaking somewhere not on the motor not under the car not blowing black smoke. I kept adding oil to it. No oil light. I was told not to park between 2 houses or in my garage it could catch on fire. I took it in several times and they did all kinds of stuff motor wash knock sensor was replaced wiring harness was corroded was slipping out of gear and other issues. And now it doesn't run because of the motor issue and they refused to fix it because I didn't have oil change receipts they are the ones that took care of that there was no oil to change I kept adding it. I have all of the detailed work invoices of what they did to it. I've been without a car for a year now they said it's not under warranty my car has several of the recalls. They wouldn't do all of the stuff they did if it wasn't necessary and trying to locate the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11738238

On 1/26/2024 approximately 9am, my husband had been driving on the highway for about 2 hours and pulled over to shut his eyes for a few minutes. He shut off the engine, closed his eyes and immediately smelled smoke. Black smoke began coming from under the hood and quickly got worse. He quickly got out of the car and walked away. He heard a loud pop sound and the engine area was engulfed in flames. He called 911. It took about 10 min for the fire dept to arrive and by then, the fire was being fed by the gas in the tank. They tried to put out the fire but the car burnt completely due to the gasoline. No one was hurt, thank goodness. There were no active lawsuits that I could find to get some compensation for this loss. We had to pay our high deductible and lost personal belongings in the car. This car did have an ongoing oil consumption issue. We had to replace the oil more frequently than normally required and it used much more oil than normal. We were told we had to wait for engine failure to get any kind of resolution.

NHTSA ODI 11727238

Took my car for the theft recall and had it performed, my vehicle was stolen last night and the theft used a USB charging cable to steal it, the recall did not fix this

NHTSA ODI 11713189

This vehicle has a safety issue with the headlights. Basically, the low beams for both, driver and passenger sides are not functioning at all. Several diagnostic have been done to repair the existing issue such as replacing new light bulbs, new OEM turn signal switch, replacing whole new headlight assembly for both driver/ passenger sides, checking the relay, replacing new fuses, though, the issue still exists to date and the vehicle is undrivable in the dark. On a side not, only high beam works and turn signals, that is basically it. Several auto service centers have advised me to submit a report as a safety issues since all options have been exhausted. With that said, this safety issue concerning headlight should be addressed with the manufacturer. Thank you for taking this matter seriously!

NHTSA ODI 11693945

My 2018 Kia Sportage (VIN [XXX] ) experienced complete engine failure due to low compression/internal combustion chamber failure. The vehicle lost power while driving on Sept 30, 2025, and had to be towed to [XXX] Kia in Dayton, OH. This same dealership previously performed an oil retention test in Aug 2024 which failed, identifying a defective engine. Kia was aware of the issue but declined to replace the engine at that time. The failure pattern matches Kia’s known engine defect. Kia Consumer Affairs (Case #25572677) has denied goodwill assistance despite this safety-related engine failure and prior diagnostic documentation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11692091

The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked and briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an abnormal burning odor was coming from under the hood and entered the vehicle through the A/C vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The thermostat and the electric switch on the driver’s side window were replaced. The contact stated that while driving uphill or going downhill, the RPM fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11650881

Driver power window regulator stopped working. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety is at risk because it can hinder my ability to exit the car in an emergency. In addition, it is exposing the car's interior and possibly interior electrical parts to the weather elements, and potentially leaving me vulnerable to theft or intrusion. The problem was intermittent at first, and I reported it to the dealer, but at that time of service, they were unable to reproduce the failure. The service department told me this is a fairly common problem with my model of car. The component has not been inspected by Kia, the police, insurance representatives, or others. The symptoms were intermittent at first prior to the total failure. The full failure happened at 101,500 miles, which is past the 100,000 mile warranty expiration.

NHTSA ODI 11645908

Wiring harness that goes to the battery and alternator had melted plastic, fried battery and alternator

NHTSA ODI 11607745

The tow hitch can apparently start a fire. I can not afford to rent a car & must use mine as I am disabled & have a mother with dementia, so I need my vehicle. Kia still has not resolved this issue. This recall has been open since September, 10 MONTHS! This is the THIRD recall for this vehicle, one has a current lawsuit.

NHTSA ODI 11528829

The plugs for the engine cooling fan and wiring harness were damaged from overheating. No fuses blew, plugs were melted and wiring was discolored from overheating. Estimate for repair was: Parts (cooling fan assembly, and wiring harness)- $2430.19 plus tax, Labor 8hrs @ $175.00/hr- $1400, Total cost to replace the cooling fan and wiring harness- $3830.19 plus tax. Overheating of the wiring harness poses a significant risk of a short circuit and potential engine fire. The problem was identified by the Kia dealer. No warning lamps, blown fuses, or messages warning of the problem. we smelled smoke on a couple of occasions. Unable to afford the repairs, we traded the vehicle in at a Honda dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11528190

The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle was stolen while parked in front of her residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to a dealer and the Anti-Theft Logic and Sticker Upgrade per NHTSA ID Number: 10233650 (Electrical System) was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11520066

Anti-theft security software update fix. I have not received a recall or any information from Kia to have this repaired. I wish to have this repaired ASAP. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11509118

My car was stolen from the Kia challenge

NHTSA ODI 11489673

Electrical system keeps on shortening out the brake lights.

NHTSA ODI 11477446

I was driving and the radio went out along with navigation screen, then power steering went out along with headlights, tail lights. Engine was still running but would not rev up. All kinds of warning lights went off, had a harder time steering vehicle out of the Road way. Engine eventually shut off. My dealer said my starter had a continuous draw on my battery and drained it. This was on 11/10/21. They replaced the starter and the battery. Got vehicle back on 11/10. Last night 11/18/21 I was driving my vehicle again at night and the same thing happened again, no lights, no power steering, no electronics in the vehicle worked. Got someone to jump My vehicle, we let it charge from the jumper and got the vehicle started again. Drove 4 miles down the road, same thing again. Had my wife come there and we again put jumper cables on for 20 minutes, was able to drive the vehicle home, did notice this time I had a check engine light. Have scheduled an appointment with my dealer again. I feel that on a dark country road with limited areas to pull over with no headlights or tail lights or 4 way flashers I could have easily been rear ended. I did have cars pass me and blow their horn at me, did finally make it to a cross road with a street light and got off the main road. The dealer has not set an appointment yet, vehicle would be available for inspection, if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11441100

Kia knowing that they are selling nothing but junk to consumers are refusing to provide ANY Assistance to customers whom pay 25+K for their trash called vechicles. Kia has recalled my vechicle 2× now for Motor and ECU problems and now my vechicle is having electrical problems and had to be towed to a dealership to be looked at. This dealership is not looking to find out where the electrician problem is coming from and when I contact Kia America they are refusing any assistance to help me get their 25K piece of trash back on the road. When is the NTHSA going to do something and hold these car companies RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JUNK THEY ARE SELLING!!!

NHTSA ODI 11431042

Car dash lights will go dim and when I drive I feel like I'm not getting enough power and when I drive my car will pull

NHTSA ODI 11426911

When you turn off the car via push button the car engine won’t shut off. The computer system shuts down but the engine continues to run. I’ve taken to the dealership three times to repair and it is still an issue. Engine isn’t diesel’ing as the gas pedal still works with the car off. When this happens the vehicles computer system itself is fully off. Kia roadside won’t dispatch in this situation as they say “they aren’t mechanics”. The only thing you can do to shut the car off no matter how many times you attempt to restart is to go inside the engine compartment and pull the fuel pump fuse and starve the engine. There is no difference in engine sound between the on and off computer state, car is quiet so it could be easily missed by someone not paying attention. The car doors will not lock in this situation. Originally when this happened the car would throw tons of codes (I have it on video) now after the supposed fix (aka the computer update for the recall that was supposed to fix my issue) it no longer throws any codes. Now when the issue happens the vehicle appears to actually shut down fully except you can hear the engine not shutting down but not a single code registers. Shifter is completely locked out in this situation and will not re-engage until the engine has been choked out.

NHTSA ODI 11420050

INITIALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE STARTER BUTTON. I HEARD A CLICK AND NOTICED QUICK FLASHING LIGHTS FROM THE DASH, THEN NOTHING HAPPENED EXCEPT CLICKS, NOISES AND MINIMAL LIGHT AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DOWN. THERE WAS NOTHING ON INSIDE THE CAR TO CAUSE BATTERY FAILURE. THE BRAKE WAS HARD TO PRESS DOWN TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, I OPTED TO JUMP-START THE CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY POWERED UP. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON A FEW TIMES THEN THE LETTERS AFLS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE RADIO/GPS DISPLAY CONTINUED TO FLICKER AND FLASH ON AND OFF NONSTOP AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO RUN FOR 5 MINUTES AT HOME THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING FOR 25 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, I TURNED TO PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED THEN UNLOCKED IN THE PROCESS. I STOPPED TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS IN THE PROPER GEAR, STILL IN DISBELIEF THAT THIS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WAS OCCURRING. I PROCEEDED TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER THAT HARDER LOCK/JERK IN THE PARKING LOT. I STOPPED THE CAR, PLACED IT IN PARK WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE TO GATHER MYSELF BECAUSE THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING AND ALARMING EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST. I DIDN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I WAS UNCERTAIN IF IT WOULD RESTART CONSIDERING WHAT OCCURRED EARLIER WITH JUMP-STARTING THE CAR. I DROVE BACK HOME MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO DRIVE SLOWLY ON THE STREET. I THEN ENTERED THE OPEN RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK EXTREME PRECAUTIONS AND HOPING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK AGAIN WHICH MAY HAVE FURTHER CAUSED MY FAMILY AND I TO BE PLACED INTO HARM'S WAY, NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DRIVERS TO BE IN DANGER ON THE ROAD. I HOPE THAT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO THIS MATTER TO AVOID FURTHER TERROR AND TREPIDATION, ANY INJURIES AND/OR LOSS OF LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11416596

ACCORDING TO KIA WHICH THEY POSTED AT THEIR WEBSITE, ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITHIN HECU MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER, HAD NO PARTS, AS OF 4/12/21 NO KIA DEALER HAS THIS PART. CALLED KIA, THEY SUPPOSEDLY GOING TO SHIP PARTS END OF APRIL. THEY HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, DESPITE I TOLD THEM I CAN RENT A CAR BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, THAT DECLINED. QUESTION IS, WHY THEY HAVEN'T INFORMED PUBLIC AND SEND THE HECU PARTS TO THEIR DEALERS SOONER? TAKING RISK TO DRIVE A CAR WHICH HAS POTENTIAL TO CUT FIRE SEEMS NOT SAFE AND DISPLAYS KIA NEGLIGENCE.

NHTSA ODI 11407735

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED THE ENGINE CUTS OFF.ALSO WHILE TRYING TO START THE ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENS .TOTALLY DEAD,NO WARNING LIGTHS COME ON .HAVE BATTERY CHECK,NO PROBLEM FOUND,JUMP START EVERY THING SEEMS TO BE NORMAL.THIS HAPPEN IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11360161

MY 2018 KIA SPORT AGE AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES WOULD NOT START. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY. HOWEVER, KIA DEALERSHIP TESTING IT SHOWS THE BATTERY IS PERFECT. NOW I'M AT 34,000 MILES AND MY CAR HASS TO BE JUMPED TO START IT ABOUT SIX TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY TESTED SEVERAL TIMES. I KEEP BEING TOLD THE BATTERY'S FINE. AT FIRST IT WOULD JUST GO CLICK CLICK CLICK BUT WOULDN'T START. NOW IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD NO NOISE CLICKING WHEN I TRY TO START IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF. THIS IS FRUSTRATING THAT I BOUGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE A BRAND NEW CAR DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH 11 MILES AND I HAVE THE MOST UNRELIABLE VEHICLE I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFETIME. WHENEVER I GO SOMEWHERE I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET SO THAT I CAN PLUG MY JUMPER BOX INTO JUST IN CASE. I HAVE MISSED APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF THIS. I'M READY TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND LET THE FINANCE COMPANY HAVE IT. CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND NOBODY CAN SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. SOMETHING IS DRAWING POWER OR THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT WORKING LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND POSSIBLE FRAYED WIRE OR SOMETHING THERE. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES MADE TO THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. AND I HAVE MAINTAINED ALL THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT SHOULD BE DONE ON A CAR. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHY I HAVE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT WON'T START AND THAT IS UNRELIABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11298235

THE ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. ALL ELECTRIC WIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR IT WAS PARK IN MY HOUSE .

NHTSA ODI 11288823

ALL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN HEADING CRASH

NHTSA ODI 11255041

ADDENDUM # 2 FROM ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AND RESPONSE THROUGH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO OFFICE. 1ST ADDENDUM DATED AUGUST 9 2019. HUSBAND ARRIVED AT COURTESY KIA AND AS EXPECTED, NO LOANER VEHICLE. FINALLY I REACHED THE SALES MANAGER AND EXPLAINED HOW DISGUSTING IT WOULD BE FOR A DISABLED MAN WHO IS PAYING FOR A DEFECTIVE CAR AND PROMISED A LOANER TO HAVE TO CALL UBER. HE AGREED TO LOAN ONE UNDER "TEST DRIVE" GUISE. FRIDAY 9,2019 HEARD NOTHING ABOUT OUR CAR. WE CALLED AT 4:30. FERNANDO STATED THAT THEY HAD IT IN BACK AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SATURDAY 10,2019..1:45, JENNY THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED AND STATED THAT OUR CAR WAS READY " WE PUT A KSDS WIRING HARNESS". NO FURTHER EXPLANATION. NOT EVEN VIA EMAIL. THE SERVICE TICKET ON STATES...ENGINE NOISE PASS, PUT WIRING HARNESS JUMPER. I LOOKED AT THE PROTOCOL ON NHTSA SITE. IT STATES CLEARLY. THE CAR MUST BE HOOKED UP TO INTERNET EVERYDAY AND A 21 STEP PROCEDURE TO CHECK FOR ENGINE NOISE. ON THE SERVICE TICKET, MILEAGE WAS IDENTICAL IN AND OUT. HOW DO YOU REALLY TEST A CAR WITHOUT DRIVING IT. THIS WAS A RUSH JOB ON THEIR PART... EMPLOYEES PRETENDING TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS MASSIVE DEFECT. THE 26 PAGE DOCUMENT ATTACHED SPEAKS VOLUMES. WE ASKED FOR A PHOTO OF THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS DAMAGED. THEY REFUSED, THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT IS BEING SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. MEANWHILE...TWO DISABLED PERSONS GET TO DRIVE IN FEAR, LIVE IN FEAR AND PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE ENGINE/CAR AND WAS SCAMMED BY CITRUS KIA, KIA MOTORS, KIA AMERICA. ATTORNEYS GENERAL, STATES ATTORNEYS, SENATORS, PLEASE HOLD KIA ACCOUNTABLE. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN FRONT OF CONGRESS ♿ PLANT CITY....PER THE DOCUMENT. EVERYDAY DOESN'T MEAN , DAY AND HALF.

NHTSA ODI 11243454