2023 Kia Sportage Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 309 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Sportage. The EPA rates it 25 to 43 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
7
Owner complaints
309
Crashes / fires reported
28 / 1
EPA combined
25–43 MPG

2023 Kia Sportage recalls

  • Trailer HitchesDec 17, 2025 · NHTSA 25V874000+

    Risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.

    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."

  • StructureJan 18, 2024 · NHTSA 24V025000+

    Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.

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

  • Power TrainJul 31, 2023 · NHTSA 23V531000+

    Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Fix: 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.

    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.

  • Service Brakes, HydraulicJun 7, 2023 · NHTSA 23V410000+

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.

    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.

  • Electrical SystemApr 26, 2023 · NHTSA 23V298000+

    Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

    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."

  • Air BagsNov 28, 2022 · NHTSA 22V878000+

    Risk: A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.

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

  • Electrical SystemAug 29, 2022 · NHTSA 22V651000+

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.

    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.

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2023 Kia Sportage problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Electrical System85
  • Unknown or Other69
  • Engine68
  • Service Brakes48
  • Power Train39
  • Vehicle Speed Control36
  • Forward Collision Avoidance35
  • Fuel/Propulsion System23

2023 Kia Sportage gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sportage Hybrid FWD1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)424443$1,500
Sportage Hybrid AWD1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)383838$1,700
Sportage Plug-in Hybrid1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)363535$1,850
Sportage FWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)253228$2,300
Sportage AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)232825$2,550

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2023 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2023 Kia Sportage, most recently for the trailer hitches (Dec 17, 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2023 Kia Sportage problems?

Owners filed 309 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are electrical system (85), unknown or other (69), engine (68).

What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Sportage get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Kia Sportage at 25 to 43 MPG combined (best version: 42 city / 44 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.