248 of the
6,792 complaints filed about the KIA Sportage
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
248
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
4
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
Our 2022 Sportage backup camera screen has gone completely blank creating an immediate rear visibility safety hazard that violates federal back up camera standards. The manual indicated fuse is still functional and the infotainment reset does not resolve the issue. The entire system remains nonfunctioning.
NHTSA complaint #11754366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had gotten my windshield replaced by safelite last year. On a cold day while driving to work, I went to adjust my rearview mirror and the rearview mirror came off from the windshield. It completely detached. I was adjusting it as I would any other time I adjusted the rear view mirror. This obviously left me in a lurch because I had to go to work. So I drove without a rear view mirror until I could get a replacement after the work day. This is obviously a dangerous situation to be in. I reached out to safelite because they have a lifetime warranty. They informed me that they will not cover replacement because a small piece of glass came off of the windshield which according to them means it must have been a result of force.
NHTSA complaint #11740567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on an open highway, my panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded on [XXX] coming back from Prescott with me behind the wheel, my husband as a passenger, and my dog in the backseat. There was nobody driving in front, near, or behind me. I was not driving near an overpass. The incident sounded like an explosion or gunshot. My husband began to open the sunroof visor to investigate, and glass began dropping into the car. Once we could pull over safely, there was a large hole on my panoramic sunroof. My husband, dog, and I had tiny pieces of glass on us. I took my car to Kia, and they refused to acknowledge that anything, but a rock caused the problem. There are numerous news stories about this being a problem and also recalls for panoramic sunroofs from other dealers like Hyundai, who are made by the same manufacturer as Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11739049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK TO kIA IN cLEARWATER 4 X FOR PANEL GOING BLACK. NO LIGHTS, AIR COMES ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. nO BACK UP CAMERA. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THIS TRUCK SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE MGR. WADE THINKS I AM CRAZY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PANEL BUT NOT FOR MY TRUCK, WHY? NO ONE WILL FIX THIS TRUCK. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED WITH KIA. I HAD A SOUL AND TRADED UP FOR THESE SAME REASONS. 3 BATTEIES IN 4 MONTHS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? [XXX] [XXX] I [XXX] ANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11717037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that there was no evidence of an impact on the sunroof glass. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Collision Center for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the Collision Center, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and the manufacturer to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,525.
NHTSA complaint #11715023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
6” Snow ice storm & negative degree temps 12/13/25 used heated windshield deicer. On 12/15 driving to work on a country road no other traffic, heard pop cracking noise above my head checked sunroof snow ice melting no visible cracks thought noise from thawing ice. Parked vehicle in my home garage while I went out of town. Returned home 12/22 found large crack origination point in front windshield originating in glass down the middle of rear view mirror sensor housing black box mounted on inner windshield the crack spans from top middle to bottom of black box glass over to right center half of windshield. Believe this is a manufacture defect design flaw low quality integrity of glass weaker than standard glass making it more susceptible to temperature changes or minor impact. Entire crack feels smooth interior exterior glass as if the crack is in the inner layers of glass windshield. Due to multi complaints & prior class action lawsuit regarding manufacture defect of KIA windshields I am reporting my complaint as it is quite similar to others complaints, issues & lawsuits. The massive crack in windshield is a driving safety hazard & a manufacture defect that needs recalled & resolved before injury or death occurs. KIA must acknowledge, issue recall &/or post a bulletin, accept responsibility this is a manufactures defect, notify the public and replace the windshields under Good Faith Customer Relations Warranty
NHTSA complaint #11706746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling at approx 65 mph on a clear, debris-free Alaska highway in -5°F temperatures, the panoramic sunroof of my 2024 Kia Sportage spontaneously shattered with an explosive sound. There were no vehicles in the immediate vicinity (nearest car was maybe 50 to 75 ft away) and no observation of flying debris or falling objects from overpasses. The failure appears to be a spontaneous glass breakage (SGB) incident potentially caused by thermal stress or manufacturing defect rather than external impact. Crucially, some of the remaining glass fragments and one large attached piece are displaced and flexed OUTWARD (upward toward the sky). There are also fracture lines in the remaining glass along and parallel to the sides of the vehicle as well as parallel to the front frame of the glass. They do not radiate out from a central point as one would expect from an object strike. This geometry to me indicates internal tension or cabin pressure release, as an external impact from a projectile would have forced the glass inward into the cabin. Additionally, there was very little glass in the vehicle cabin, certainly far less than one would expect given the size of the opening in the sunroof and the amount of glass missing. I have personally previously been in a vehicle whose side window was blown out from a vehicle kicked rock strike and in that case was showered with a lot of glass. Yesterdays catastrophic failure resulted in some glass intrusion into the passenger cabin at highway speeds, creating a severe distraction with sound was loud & sudden enough to potentially cause a loss of vehicle control. I am aware of similar reports regarding the 2023-2024 Sportage (and previous Kia panoramic sunroof class actions) regarding the use of ceramic glazing or assembly stresses that contribute to such failures. I request an investigation into whether the current model's panoramic roof assembly is capable of withstanding extreme thermal differentials and body flex.
NHTSA complaint #11706279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I turned on my vehicle and began driving in Philadelphia. I noticed the dashboard where the speedometer was supposed to be was dark. The Apple car play on the right side of the dashboard was on but no other components were visible. Such as turning signal, lane keep assist, speedometer, etc. I was on the highway and this was extremely scary. This vehicle has less then 200 miles. I’ve taken it to Kia and they are looking into it. But this is a big concern. I have videos of this but it won’t let me add them to this file.
NHTSA complaint #11705986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After owning our car for about a year when we started noticing abnormal pitting and chips in our windshield. I inquired to the dealership I bought it from and they said it was normal. Consequently the pits, chips and cracks got worse at an alarming rate. I took pictures from when the worst crack started and from February 2025 to August 2025 the crack has spread to 3/4 of my windshield. The windshield also rattles and whistles where the beginning of the crack is.
NHTSA complaint #11684978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an explosion and observed that the moon roof glass had shattered, sending glass down into the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11682927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
What I assume happened to my wiper blades: In December of 2024 we got a lot of heavy snow. I turned on my car to heat it up while I worked on cleaning off the outside of the car. My wipers were set to auto so the car automatically tried to clear the snow from the windshield. I did not notice this since they didn't move due to the snow weight. Once snow was removed I noticed the wipers did not work so I brought it in for the dealership to look at it. They determined that the gear had been stripped and needed to be replaced and informed me that this is not covered under warranty. Since the repair I have not driven the car in snow, no longer use the auto wiper function, and am sure to clean off all snow/ice before I turn the blades on. End of February I turned the wipers on to clean the windshield by pulling lever back. No fluid came out, the blades went back and forth a few times and then only one blade started coming up while the other lay in its off position. Determined that my car is not holding any wiper fluid (unsure if this was not connected properly during last repair). Have an appointment to get the car looked at again.
NHTSA complaint #11646044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on a highway at approximately 5:00 p.m., a loud explosion occurred. My husband said it sounded like we were shot. Once we pulled over, we discovered the panoramic sunroof had exploded. We immediately pulled off on the nearest exit and drove the car right back to the dealer. While my husband drove the car, I researched sunroof explosions and found several complaints of other Kia cars with panoramic sunroofs that had exploded. Upon arrival at the dealership, the service department was closed, but we were able to bring the car inside the garage since it was raining. There was no impact to the sunroof and no bridge where something could have fallen from it. The broken glass looked like it had exploded outward like a volcano. Shattered pieces of glass were scattered on top of the cloth covering but most pieces must have flown off the roof during driving. A saleswoman made a ridiculous claim that the explosion could have been caused by hail. It was 55 degrees out. Another salesman made a comment that it could have been some kind of combustion or that something fell on top of the sunroof (like a meteorite fell from the sky while driving?). Now, the following morning, Kia (a man named Walt) is claiming something hit the sunroof, "pictures don't lie", and they will not do any work on the car until my insurance company is contacted and an appraiser comes to look at the damage. We also took pictures and do not see that an impact occurred. No other cars on the highway at the time the sunroof exploded were impacted with their driving or even pulled off the road, so I cannot imagine Kia's claim that "something hit the sunroof." No other cars were impacted.
NHTSA complaint #11645514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud popping sound, and the sunroof glass shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #11630049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH, the panoramic sunroof exploded without impact. The glass shattered into pieces onto the driver. The driver sustained some minor cuts to her head. The glass was picked out of her hair by her colleagues, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11626802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the windshield cracked without impact. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer; the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
NHTSA complaint #11622218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The sunroof spontaneously exploded. Sunroof was closed at the time. AC on. Driving on the highway. Loud band and glass pieces rained down. Made it to the next exit to assess damage. No warning that this would happen. No debris hit the car. I have contacted my insurance about this, USAA. Kia said that they won’t cover this or repair for free. And in fact said that they haven’t heard of such a thing, though Kia models have one of the highest chances of this happening
NHTSA complaint #11606599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.