What 18 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Hev

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The seat belt failed to secure her grandson, who was occupying the front passenger seat, and he flew out of the seat. The driver's seat belt failed to secure her, and she was thrust forward over the steering wheel. The contact called the local dealer, but there was no response. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. There were no vehicles around. While driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and an unknown pickup truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to her neck, back, and left shoulder, which was torn, and medical attention was provided. There was no reported fire or airbag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Raceway Kia 4044 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728, who determined the vehicle was working as designed. There were no codes displayed during diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 3,200.

NHTSA ODI 11646290

Car brakes automatically applied, for no reason. I was driving in a city street, around 20 or 30 mph. The car randomly applied the brakes (hard) then released the brakes. I was able to continue driving after. But the braking made me jerk forward to the point that it locked my seatbelt. It was raining. But the road was completely open, no obstacle.

NHTSA ODI 11629660

Since leasing this SUV and experiencing the safety features for the first time, the method this manufacturer used for zero crashes methodology seems thought out and looks refined in its final product; however, there is a strong safety issue at hand. That safety issue revolves around the driver not having full response and other drivers reacting to that. For example, when I back out of my own driveway or a parking spot, water on my rear camera will immediately jam on my brakes. Since I didn't do that as a driver and there isn't an apparent danger, it is not only a human performance issue for the driver but also for other drivers on the road. Next, when I install a bike rack on the rear of the SUV, I have to reverse while overriding the rear parking brake at the same time which is added complications. This also isn't perfected so often it also jams on the brakes. While all of this is happening, the safety sounds and camera views on my screen are changing automatically.

NHTSA ODI 11627650