Home · 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid · Complaints

What 12 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 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 (12)Crash / fire / injury (3)Electrical system (4)Speed control (4)Driver assistance (2)Engine (2)Body & structure (1)Transmission & drivetrain (1)

3 of 12 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jan 2, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineDriver assistanceCrash

While attempting to park the vehicle in an angled parking spot I was pressing the brake and slowing to a stop. Prior to stopping with my foot still on the brake the engine revved and the vehicle surged forward hitting the car in front of me. The emergency braking did not seem to activate nor di my foot on the brake slow the car. The car has been in the shop at least 4 times totaling nearly 30 days for electrical issues. The vehicle had a full charge prior to the drive which was about 6.5 miles. The vehicle was operating in automatic mode utilizing electric only during the trip. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Powertrain gas and electric emergency braking. It is at repair shop can be inspected How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car accelerated without warning Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer has video of engine surging when switching to electric only mode. I also have many videos. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Dealer only in service shop. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Had check engine light multiple times shorting after buying vehicle. Also has burning wire or rubber smell when charging. Engine RPM's surged when manually switching to electric only mode. Dealer service tech has video and I have multiple videos of this happening. Other items. Car dash says to place hands on steering wheel while hands are on steering wheel. Have video of this. Car has a surging sensation while driving slight gyro sensation. Automatic wipers slow to activate or reactivate during light rain. Have video. Electronics related to android auto and heat AC do not work right flicker disengage and reengage over and over. Have multiple videos of this.

NHTSA ODI 11708271

Oct 15, 2024Speed controlCrash

On Oct. 11, 2024, I was pulling into a parking spot when my vehicle suddenly accelerated. My foot was not on the accelerator. I braked but not in time to stop the car before it hit the side of a building. I was not injured, but do not want to use drive the vehicle until I understand what happened and whether this sudden unintended acceleration defect can be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11619892

Oct 11, 2024Speed controlCrash

I am reporting an incident of sudden unintended acceleration of my 2024 Kia Sportage plug-in Hybrid. On Oct. 11, 2024, my wife was parking the vehicle in a lot near our home when the car suddenly accelerated, only stopping when it crashed into the side of a building. My wife was not injured, though the vehicle was damaged. She insists she did not accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake. I have reported the incident to Kia, and we have filed a claim with our insurance company.

NHTSA ODI 11619422

Working with the data? Download all 12 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 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid verdict →