Sportage (NQ5)
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl / 187 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
T-GDI GAMMA II
4-cyl Turbo / 177 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
T-GDI GAMMA ?
1.6L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Kia Sportage Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage
That's about 2.2x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.1 per year). Above peer average — but high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints, so check the issue mix below before drawing conclusions.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 46 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2023] Check Hybrid System warning keeps coming on. Dealer can't find a problem.
- [2023] Was driving my child to school when the Hybrid System alert came on, I only had a few seconds to try and pull over before the car completely shut down, we lost all motive power. I was on a downward incline right in front of an uncontrolled intersection with very little shoulder as I live in a rural mountain town. Since the parking brake is part of the integrated system I did not feel I had full co
- [2023] I was driving my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid when the vehicle displayed a "Check Hybrid System"/ "Stop Safely" warning and suddenly lost motive power/acceleration. I was unable to accelerate normally. I had luckily pulled of the road that I was going 55 mph into a parking lot prior to the lass of power or I would have stopped right on the roadway with cars going the same speed directly behind me. Thi
Electric Propulsion
- [2023] I was driving my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid when the vehicle displayed a "Check Hybrid System"/ "Stop Safely" warning and suddenly lost motive power/acceleration. I was unable to accelerate normally. I had luckily pulled of the road that I was going 55 mph into a parking lot prior to the lass of power or I would have stopped right on the roadway with cars going the same speed directly behind me. Thi
- [2023] On XXX and XXX, while driving on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of motive power. Flashing warning lights appeared on the instrument cluster, accompanied by a safety warning message instructing the driver to pull over and "Check Hybrid System" immediately. This sudden, uncommanded drop in propulsion on active, high-speed roadways created an immediate safety hazard, for
- [2023] I would welcome making my vehicle available for inspection on this issue. Year/Make/Model: 2023 Kia Sportage EX HEV AWD 4-Door SUV Color: Black Powertrain: Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Number of occupants: 2 (driver and passenger) Injuries: None, but fatalities could have occurred. Vehicle turned off completely – no power, no hazard lights, and although driver miraculously made it to the shou
High-Voltage Battery
- [2023] The car dies after parking for less than an hour, I have to press the battery reset button every time I get into it which also sets the alarm off probably annoying all my neighbors. There’s no accessories plugged in. The dealer is charging me $270 dollars to do a BMS update but I have seen recalls for this online that say it should be covered for free.
- [2023] Was driving my child to school when the Hybrid System alert came on, I only had a few seconds to try and pull over before the car completely shut down, we lost all motive power. I was on a downward incline right in front of an uncontrolled intersection with very little shoulder as I live in a rural mountain town. Since the parking brake is part of the integrated system I did not feel I had full co
- [2023] 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Drop in power/acceleration! Upsetting, stressful & unsafe. Purchased brand new, Nov 2023. When this occurred approx. 35695 miles. I left work, got on the freeway, (only maybe 1-2 miles away) and was trying to accelerate to merge with traffic flow and could only go approx. 52-54 MPH. I tried to "floor" the pedal, but with no further acceleration. No check engine light turn
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2023] When driving on the highway, warning lights activated on the dash with the message "Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely." Seconds later, the vehicle lost all propulsion power. The hybrid battery indicated it had a half charge and the combustion engine was running. Depressing the accelerator caused the engine to increase RPMs but little to no power was output to the wheels. I turned the car off an
- [2023] On October 3rd, 2025 I was driving at approximately 15mph when my dash started to flash red while beeping. It displayed a message that stated "Check Hybrid System" Within 15 seconds the car shut off. There was no power to utilize the flashers to warn drivers behind me. The abrupt stop caused a near collision and left my car stranded in an intersection. After about 5 minutes I was able to utilize t
- [2023] February 2024 (27,813 mi): Vehicle lost acceleration while driving, would not transition from EV to engine mode, entered limp mode. Dealer replaced high-pressure fuel pump under warranty after consulting Kia Tech Line (case #[XXX]). September 2025 (58,000 mi): Vehicle will not start without manually resetting 12v battery module integrated in hybrid battery system. Pattern suggests hybrid control
Thermal Events
- [2023] The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sportage, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2023-2025 Kia Sportage
On a used 2023-2025 Kia Sportage, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (129), the airbags and driver-assist systems (94) and the engine (90). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 129 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage about the engine, all engines combined.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage about the brakes.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Drive slowly in a parking lot and note each time the engine starts and stops.Costly repair. NHTSA has 37 owner complaints on the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage (hybrid and electric versions only) about the hybrid system.
Recalls (8)
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."
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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
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.
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.
Show 3 older recalls
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."
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2023-2025 Kia Sportage complaints?
Owners have filed 482 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the safety systems and the engine.
Is the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 482 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 482 owner complaints on file for the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2023-2025 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2023-2025 Kia Sportage vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Kia Sportage?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the safety systems and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sportage?
The 2025 Kia Sportage received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 482 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.