50 of the 1,017 complaints about the Kia Sportage (4.9%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 0.4× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
50Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
4.9%Share of complaints
0.42×vs. all vehicles
15Last 12 months
4.0%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
15 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 12 in the 12 months before — up 25%.
2 of these reports (4.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 23V531000 (2023-07-31, model year 2023).
Incident Date: [XXX] Vehicle: 2023 Kia Sportage Component(s): Power Train (Automatic Transmission Shifter), Electrical System (Instrument Cluster/Display), Back Over Prevention (Rearview Camera) Description of Incident: On [XXX], while performing a low-speed…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-01-15 · ODI 11711230 · Crash
When I pulled up at home and parked the vehicle, I pressed the brake pedal, stopping the vehicle, and then pressed the Park button and took my foot off the brake.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-04-09 · ODI 11653683 · Crash
When driving at speeds slightly above 50 mph between 1,700 and 1,900 RPM, maintaining light pressure on the accelerator pedal causes a noticeable physical vibration and shaking throughout both the pedal and the vehicle.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-17 · ODI 11764939
Severe structural manufacturing defect in my 2021 Kia Sportage. A physical hole has formed in the floorboard on the driver side directly next to the pedals, creating an immediate risk of a catastrophic accident.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-16 · ODI 11764717
High oil consumption burning a quart of oil every 500-600 miles.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-06 · ODI 11762437
When I start the car and use the dial to shift into drive or reverse gear quickly, it fails and locks up. I have to turn the car off and/or open the door before restarting the car and wait a few seconds until the "Ready" message appears on the instrument…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760497
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP Campaign 23V531000 · 2023-07-31 · Model years: 2023
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
