Kia has come a long way in recent years with its cars and SUVs, but there have been some hiccups along the way. The 2023 Kia Sportage is brand new but has more complaints than most vehicles after the first three years of ownership. Some of the most common issues relate to engine and electrical problems, which have been an ongoing thing with the Kia SUV. Check out the 2023 Sportage problems below to see if a recall has been issued to remedy the situation.

What problems are 2023 Kia Sportage owners reporting?

Some 2023 Kia Sportage owners report issues with the air conditioning and battery directly from the factory. Others note a problem with some standard safety systems, and the electrical system has 18 complaints on its own. The “unknown” category is also racking up the complaints.

There are a few places where consumers can file complaints with various agencies, but the NHTSA is an important one. As a government agency, drivers can file a complaint with the NHTSA, and sometimes, those eventually turn into recalls. There are a lot of unknown complaints listed for the 2023 Sportage right now, but there are many related to the battery and electrical system.

One of the most significant matters affecting the 2023 Sportage is the engine oil pump. This is a known issue on the Sportage, and if the electric oil pump assembly overheats, it can cause a fire. Kia and the NHTSA have issued a recall for this problem, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V531000. This impacted 39,765 units of the Kia Soul, Sportage, and Seltos lineup.

The 2023 Kia Sportage has some electrical ghosts

Since the 2023 Kia Sportage comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and gasoline options, the issues span all three models. Some drivers report that the hybrid engine abruptly stopped working when a “Do Not Drive” warning appeared on the screen. Others say the screens go black, which means the driver can not see the speed and other important information.

Some owners report that the battery is causing problems with other components. One driver noted the battery will lose power intermittently, which can cause the vehicle to lose power. Another driver in Pennsylvania pointed out that the key fob can open the tailgate, but it closes without warning. While these Kia Sportage problems are not that big of a deal, many small matters add up and can greatly impact the ownership experience.

Even though some of these complaints are from recent months, there is a recall for the blank LCD. NHTSA Campaign Number 23V298000 impacts 108,936 Kia Sportage units (along with some others). Kia says the 4.2″ LCD screen can stop working and will not display important information, which fails to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. This isn’t to say that the Sportage is unreliable, but it doesn’t make the situation better.

Check for 2023 Kia Sportage recalls

Some 2023 Kia Sportage drivers also complained of issues with the brakes. This is noted in multiple comments, and Kia eventually issued a recall for the power brake assist issue. It is suggested that the booster diaphragm may become misaligned, resulting in a loss of power brakes.

There are currently five recalls for the 2023 Sportage, which is pretty high for a brand-new vehicle. The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is a similar vehicle in the compact SUV segment with 12 owner complaints and zero recalls. One of the early recalls is for a loose alternator battery nut, which can increase the risk of a crash or fire. Another says the side curtain airbags can twist upon deployment, which could decrease the effectiveness of this safety feature. All of these can be addressed at the local dealership, but fixing recalls can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Overall, the Kia Sportage is a brand-new SUV that has had some hiccups. If you can find a used version or even a new one that has all of the recalls addressed, the Sportage is a spacious and fuel-efficient SUV. You can verify the recalls have been done on the NHTSA website linked above or through your local dealership through the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).