Kia

Sportage (NQ5)

2023-2025 · Compact SUV · 3 engines
Best Engine Recommended (3.7)
404 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
43 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

T-GDI GAMMA ?

1.6L Turbo
Recommended (3.7)
17 complaints 8.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
6
transmission
4
safety systems
4
engine
3
electrical
3

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (4 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (4 complaints)
Engine Issues (3 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Sportage (2023-2025)

T-GDI GAMMA II

4-cyl Turbo / 177 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.8)
146 complaints 48.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
47
other
37
engine
27
safety systems
23
transmission
19

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (47 complaints)
Engine Issues (27 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (23 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Tucson (2026-2026)KIA Sportage (2026-2026)HYUNDAI Kona (2018-2023)KIA Sportage (2023-2025)KIA K5 (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Tucson (2022-2025)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2025-2026) +2 more

GDI THETA III

2.5L 4-cyl / 187 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.4)
238 complaints 79.3 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
58
other
56
electrical
55
engine
45
brakes
38

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (58 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (55 complaints)
Engine Issues (45 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2025-2025)KIA Sportage (2026-2026)KIA Sportage (2023-2025)KIA K5 (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Santa Cruz (2022-2025)KIA K5 (2026-2026)HYUNDAI Sonata (2020-2024)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2019-2024)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Kia Sportage regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (102 complaints)
electrical critical
Safety Systems Issues (85 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Engine Issues (75 complaints)
engine critical
Brakes Issues (54 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (43 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (8)

25V874000Dec 16, 2025serious
Trailer Hitches

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

24V025000Jan 17, 2024serious
Structure

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

24V422000Jul 5, 2024serious
Steering

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

23V531000Jul 30, 2023serious
Powertrain

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.

23V298000Apr 25, 2023serious
Electrical System

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

23V410000Jul 5, 2023serious
Service Brakes

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.

22V651000Aug 28, 2022serious
Electrical System

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.

22V878000Nov 27, 2022serious
Air Bags

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2023-2025 Kia Sportage problems?

The 2023-2025 Kia Sportage has accumulated 404 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Safety Systems, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Kia Sportage engine is most reliable?

The 2023-2025 Kia Sportage was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage a good used car?

The 2023-2025 Kia Sportage can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 404 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage have?

The 2023-2025 Kia Sportage has 404 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage?

There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2023-2025 Kia Sportage vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Kia Sportage?

Before buying a used Kia Sportage, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Safety Systems, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 404 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver