20 of the 86 complaints about the 2025 KIA Sportage are about the other systems — 23% of everything reported for this model year.
20
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Twice since I purchased my car, once in 2025 and two weeks ago in 2026, I turned my car off in the garage and the engine kept running. I had to start the car up and turn it off again in order for it to shut down. I mentioned that to Arapaho Kia at my last visit in November 2025 and they just said that they didn’t find anything on the computer.
NHTSA complaint #11745100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We have lost instrument panel info while driving twice in less than a year, it reboots while driving. We took the vehicle to the dealer and were informed there was no tow hitch as stated in the recall letter. My concern is that my car is doing what is described in the recall letter, (during rebooting the control cluster will not show info such as speedometer or warning lights), we have a blank panel while driving. So it seems KIAs diagnosed solution is not at least the entire problem. When I told the service tech at KIA we were experiencing the same issued described in the recall letter he said there was nothing he could do about it. There seems there is no way to reproduce the problem because it happens randomly and takes about 20 minutes for the system to reboot and get instrumentation back on line. I think KIA needs to be accountable to resolve this life safety situation.
NHTSA complaint #11738179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving to work and there was a sound like an explosion or a gun shot and then my sun roof was shattered.
NHTSA complaint #11735724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Safety Complaint Description Vehicle: 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX 2025 Mileage: ~6,000 miles Issue status: Ongoing, multiple dealer visits (3 attempts), unresolved Related Kia case number: [XXX] Problem Description The vehicle demonstrates significant highway instability and unsafe handling behavior under normal driving conditions. At highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), the vehicle exhibits excessive lateral movement and instability, especially after hitting potholes or uneven road surfaces. The car shifts horizontally after impacts, requiring immediate steering correction to maintain lane position. On grooved concrete highways (such as interstate routes toward [XXX] [XXX] ), the vehicle feels like it is floating and swaying continuously, even without strong wind conditions. The vehicle is also highly sensitive to moderate crosswinds (around 20–25 mph). At highway speeds, this results in noticeable rear-end drift and instability, requiring frequent steering corrections and creating concern about potential loss of control. Overall, the handling behavior is beyond normal expectations for this vehicle class and creates a safety concern at highway speeds. Safety Concern These conditions create a risk of loss of vehicle control, particularly: -After hitting potholes at highway speeds -During moderate crosswinds -On grooved or uneven concrete highways The instability increases driver workload and raises concern about potential accident risk if overcorrection occurs. Repair Attempts The issue has been reported to the dealer and service center three times, but no permanent resolution has been achieved. The problem remains reproducible under normal driving conditions. Additional Notes Concern exists regarding whether proper pre-delivery inspection (PDI) or alignment verification was fully completed prior to delivery, as the issue has been present since early ownership and persists at ~6,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11735477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving with no other cars around us and no debris anywhere and the moonroof suddenly shattered with a loud noise.
NHTSA complaint #11727680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11:48am, the rear panel of my panoramic sunroof exploded. I didn’t see or hear anything fall on top of the sunroof, or any part of the car. I didn’t hear a loud noise that sounded similar to a “boom” sound or thud. As soon as I got in my car, I heard a cracking sound coming from the sunroof panel.
NHTSA complaint #11721859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My sunroof shattered. No other vehicles were near me and after hearing a very loud bang, I pulled over to check to see of something hit my car. All looked fine, but I did not look at the top of my car until about a week later due to hearing wind sounds. I then assumed something must have fell out of the sky. Dealership said that they do not fix sunroofs in-house and towed it to a body shop near them. I was then quoted $8700 to fix! A friend suggested I check for recalls and found issues noted online.
NHTSA complaint #11720159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The windshield creates layers of frost if it is really cold.. While the above might be unrelated but the other day I was rolling my front passenger window up in the cold weather and the window just shattered - it just exploded, even though it stayed intact it shattered into a thousand pieces
NHTSA complaint #11717675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Immediately after delivery, the instrument/infotainment display malfunctioned, froze, and became unresponsive. Apple CarPlay failed, and phone calls distorted or dropped. After reporting the issue, I discovered that this VIN is subject to Safety Recall SC359B, with a recall date of December 17, 2025, and a status of RECALL INCOMPLETE / NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. This recall existed prior to the sale. The recall is confirmed by the Kia owner app, Kia/NHTSA VIN lookup, and the dealer’s internal campaign report. Despite this, the dealer stated in writing that there were “no open recalls” and refused to unwind the sale, mischaracterizing the defect as an “audio panel” issue. I am submitting this to document a retail delivery of a new motor vehicle under an open, VIN-specific safety recall with no available remedy, which constitutes a violation of federal motor vehicle safety law (49 U.S.C. §§ 30112 and 30120). I request review by the Office of Defects Investigation and Recall Management Division.
NHTSA complaint #11714621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Monday, Dec 15 at approximately 3:30 pm I was pulling into my parking spot in front of my house. The vehicle suddenly revved loudly and shot forward striking a tree in my front yard. If not for the tree would have ended up in the kitchen. When parking I do not have to apply gas once I enter the lot as I can drift into the spot. I barely have to brake to stop the vehicle. The steering wheel airbag deployed, fortunately no serious injuries. The passenger front end was pretty much gone and two big branches were sheared off at ground level. Police responded, report #XXX [XXX] Sheriff office. Vehicle is due to get to the body shop today or tomorrow. Fortunately this happened where it did as if it had been in traffic or around people it could have been very serious. This was also reported to Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11705582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver window rattles at all speeds. Not a big safety issue but if it breaks because of the rattle or it falls down then it could. When I put a crack in the window it stops
NHTSA complaint #11702143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The moon roof imploded while driving at normal highway speeds with no cars in front of the car. There was no impact. The sunroof had not opened all the way for about a month before. Kia is not honoring the warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11695182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is an issue of nonconformity according the Florida Lemon Law: "Florida's Lemon Law protects consumers who buy or lease new or demonstrator vehicles with persistent, significant defects, known as nonconformities, within the first 24 months of ownership." My March 2025 leased Kia Sportage was sitting for about an hour. I turned it on and the all the dash warning lights stayed on, hot air blew (no AC), and I couldn't shift out of Park. I tried turning it off/on twice, with a few minutes in between attempts, and on the second attempt only the Check Engine light stayed on, cold AC blew, and I could shift. I drove 3.5 miles home. About an hour went by, I started it again and the Check Engine Light was still on. I drove it 2.5 miles to the dealership, turned it off, and minutes later they started it to move it but the Check Engine light had gone off. They said another car almost the same mileage (4040miles) had the same issue and because the light wasn't on, the scan showed nothing. They told me to return if it happens again and not to shut it off because the Kia Dealer could not duplicate or reproduce the concern at that time. My vehicle is available for inspection and diagnosis, but the dealer said a computer scan wouldn't show anything. Something is definitely not okay and I do not feel safe. Although this incident was while traveling 20-40mph, I travel at high speeds on the highway during the week for work, and am very concerned for my safety.
NHTSA complaint #11687100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I drove from work to home, which is less than 5 miles. I used my wireless charger for the first time since we bought it 4 days ago. When I got home, I turned the engine off and picked my phone from the wireless charger pad. The phone was extremely hot and so was the charger pad. It was scary that i thought it could start fire. I searched for this same problem online for kia sportage owners (kia forum) and found out that many of them have the same problem. I emailed the dealership and the response was “…i have seen many articles that a year or older phone do get warm/hot which is why the newest one have built in cooling systems”. I don’t think the phone is the problem. When I touched the charging pad, it was so hot.
NHTSA complaint #11680542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint issue This vehicle has less than 4,000 miles on it and the paint (Glacial White) is peeling. I took it to the dealer (I'm waiting for a final determination from them) and their thoughts are that it looks like someone chipped the paint and tried to fix it. They described it as looking like they'd used "white out". After researching other paint problems with KIA vehicles, I have discovered other owners have had the same issue with their white KIA and their pictures look the same as mine...the plan white undercoat is what appears like white out.
NHTSA complaint #11677714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving my 2025 Kia Sportage on the highway with my [XXX] son in the back seat, we experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction that prompted this report. I was operating the vehicle as intended driving at a safe speed in normal highway conditions when an unexpected alarm sounded and the vehicles automated braking system suddenly and forcefully activated without warning. This caused the car to come to a complete and abrupt stop in the middle of active highway traffic, despite there being no obstacle or reason to brake. The product involved is the 2025 Kia Sportage, specifically its driver assistance and braking systems. I was the driver, and my son was a passenger. We were using the vehicle for normal, everyday travel. As a direct result of the incident, both my son and I sustained injuries. We experienced significant whiplash from the abrupt stop. My son also suffered a twisted spine, and I sustained a torn ligament in my ankle. Beyond the physical injuries, the emotional trauma has been substantial. The fear and anxiety that followed especially for my son have had lasting effects. He remains anxious in vehicles, and Ive struggled with panic and stress when driving or even thinking about being on the road again. This incident was not only physically harmful, but deeply traumatic, and it has severely impacted our sense of safety and trust in a vehicle that was supposed to protect us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11673910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dash resets and you loose instruments for a few seconds. When they come back they are inaccurate. This has happened many times and have had the car to the dealer twice who cannot replicate the issue. Warning lamps did illuminate for a second then goes away. vehicle has had less than 300 miles on it when this first started
NHTSA complaint #11670586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
was driving at 40mph and vehicle turned off engine. Auto start stop was beeping and flashing. steering and braking was hindered (was manual) for a few seconds until the auto start stop turned the engine on again. Had car to dealer with other issues (dash resets) and they couldn't duplicate the issue and stated there was nothing they could do
NHTSA complaint #11670587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The panoramic sunroof exploded. We were driving down the hwy. Going roughly 55mph when there was a loud bang and glass started falling down on us. Glass fell down onto our heads and our child. The sunroof Glass was pushed up and outward so nothing had hit the car to make the Glass cave in. Two small peices had fallen from the sunroof mechanism one containing a rubber gasket and one lacking one.
NHTSA complaint #11667481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My sunroof exploded on my vehicle. I had no idea that this is something that can happen but saw that there was a class action lawsuit about this back in 2011. My sunroof had a giant hole in the middle out of nowhere.
NHTSA complaint #11655800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.