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What 42 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

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 (42)Crash / fire / injury (8)Engine (19)Driver assistance (5)Electrical system (5)Trailer Hitches (4)Visibility & wipers (4)Fuel system (3)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Airbags (2)Brakes (2)Seats (2)

3 of 42 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Jan 30, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

Vehicle developed a cylinder 3 misfire that progressed to engine failure. The engine began running rough and lost power during normal operation. Dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and advised that a complete engine replacement is required. Prior to failure, the vehicle experienced significant oil loss, with oil leaking and rapidly depleting despite proper maintenance. Oil levels dropped abnormally between services. No adequate warning was provided before the engine condition worsened. Failure resulted in loss of engine performance and required towing. Vehicle was properly maintained. Repair cost exceeds reasonable expectations for vehicle age and mileage. Dealer advised that required engine parts are on backorder, leaving the vehicle inoperable for an extended period.

NHTSA ODI 11714581

Nov 24, 2025Electrical systemBrakesFuel systemCrash

While driving my 2022 Kia Sportage, the brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal hard several times and the vehicle did not slow down or stop at all. There was no braking pressure and no warning lights. Because the brakes failed completely, I crashed directly into a guardrail. The airbags deployed on impact. This was not driver error, it was a sudden and total brake system failure. The vehicle is currently in a wreck yard and requires immediate manufacturer inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11701175

Apr 9, 2022EngineFuel system

Engine will not start consistently. Will take two to four attempts to start, and engine will sputter when it finally does catch and start. Electrical equipment not affected (battery inspected twice). The car will also randomly jerk and/or speed up when driving.

NHTSA ODI 11460241

Working with the data? Download all 42 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 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 2022 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid verdict →