Home/KNDPUCDF7S7336659
VIN REPORT

KNDPUCDF7S73366592025 KIA SportageLX

Risk Score
9
LOW RISK
out of 100
1 Found
1 campaign
44
Reported to NHTSA
Not Tested
See iihs.org/ratings
1 yrs
Made in SOUTH KOREA
D
Score: 65/100
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2025 KIA Sportage was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 44 owner complaints include 6 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

  • 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • 6 injuries reported across 44 owner complaints
  • Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
9/100
Low Risk
Low risk profile — minor signals only, likely routine.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
Contributing Risk Factors — 2 detected
Accelerating complaint trend — problems increasing over time
+6
1 model-wide recall on record
+3
Critical Alerts

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle
Make
KIA
Model
Sportage
Year
2025
Trim / Series
LX
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Vehicle Type
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Drive Type
4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
2.5L
Doors
5
Manufacturer
KIA CORPORATION
Assembly
GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA
GVWR
Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
CQuality55/100
Standard📍 GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety
D
Score: 65/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety28/30
Complaint History17/30
5/100Low

✓ No high-risk recall components found

74/100
Comprehensive
13 of 20 safety features detected
Elevated
  • 6 injuries reported in complaints
  • 44 complaints on a 1-year-old vehicle — unusually high

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

Forward Collision WarningStandard
Automatic Emergency BrakingStandard
Pedestrian AEBStandard
Rear AEBStandard
Lane Departure WarningStandard
Lane Keep AssistStandard
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic AlertStandard
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High BeamStandard
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup CameraStandard
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake SupportStandard
Keyless IgnitionStandard
Recalls
11 RECALL

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

1 of 1 recall has a low industry completion rate — statistically likely unrepaired.

22%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

KIA Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
86%Fair

KIA completes recalls at a fair rate (86%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~20 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~20 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
20mo
#25V874000
Invalid Date

TRAILER HITCHES

SummaryKia 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."
Read full details...
ConsequenceAn instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~22%

~78% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired

High Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

1
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
1 in 7

6 injuries reported across 44 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.

Complaints
Other
1 crash2 inj16
Electrical
10
Engine/Powertrain
2 inj7
Body/Structure
3
Steering
1 crash2 inj3
Visibility
2
Brakes
1 crash2
Suspension/Wheels
1
2025
27
2026
17
Accelerating +100%
44
Last 24 months
0
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

Engine stalling3
Fire/smoke1
Sudden acceleration1
Brake failure1
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (7)Cold weather (1)Parking/low-speed (1)Startup (1)
44HIGH VOLUME
3
Crashes
6
Injuries
ODI #11739925POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

While exiting the John C. Lodge Freeway in Detroit at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal became stuck halfway during braking and the vehicle did not stop properly on the first brake application. I had to remove my foot from the brake pedal and press it again before the brakes engaged and the vehicle stopped. This has occurred approximately seven times intermittently. The issue creates a serious safety hazard and risk of collision. In addition, the “D” gear indicator intermittently blinks while driving and the “P” indicator intermittently blinks while the vehicle is in Park. Vehicle was previously brought to dealership and issue was reported, but the condition continues intermittently.

ODI #11739049VISIBILITY/WIPER

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)

ODI #11738179UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11735724STRUCTURE,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.

ODI #11735477SUSPENSION,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)

ODI #11729096FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Oil was being diluted by fuel seeping in from the injectors and the high pressure fuel pump. Vehicle was brought in twice to fix the problem. During the 24-27 Feb 26 repair the high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed and replaced. On 16 Mar 26 I noticed the oil level had risen on the dip stick (after driving ~300 miles) about 5 mm and brought the car back to the Kia dealer for diagnosis and repair. The high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed again as bad and replaced as were all four fuel injectors after they were also determined to be leaking fuel.

ODI #11727680UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driving with no other cars around us and no debris anywhere and the moonroof suddenly shattered with a loud noise.

ODI #11726758ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the rear-view camera had become inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was initially unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was later diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was with the radio and the camera. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The manufacturer denied the buyback request. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

ODI #11726412ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2 INJURIES

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. There was no indication that there was an issue while test-driving the vehicle. The vehicle was cleaned by the seller before purchase. The contact stated that while driving for twenty minutes, they noticed there was an abnormal burning /chemical smell detected. The occupants /the contact, and her husband sustained nasal, eye, headaches, dizziness, and irritation occurred, and medical attention was provided. The contact attempted to ventilate the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact had a (Certified Pre-0wned) CPO warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. Additional letters and emails were sent to Kia, but there was no response. A loaner vehicle was not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.

ODI #11725124SERVICE BRAKES

3 times my car has been in for rotors my car is not even a year old 10/25 resurfaced rotors 1/26 brand new rotors 3/26 rotors warped having to resurface the new rotors this shouldn’t be happening on a new car I don’t ride my breaks I have had new cars all my life never had break issues

ODI #11721859UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11720159UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11717675UNKNOWN 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

ODI #11717037ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

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)

ODI #11716480ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Navigation screen began blinking (glitching) and suddenly went black and would not come back on. Called the dealership and they said it was not a recall and that it was no longer covered under warranty. This problem has persisted intermittently and I am noticing a pattern. When the temperature is cold outside the screen works fine, however if it is 60+° outside this happens. I’ve read online that this is a known issue however I’m being told there is no recall.

ODI #11714621ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

ODI #11710155FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

While driving this car, I have experienced the car's auto-braking system. While driving on I-94, the traffic was slowing down due to activity ahead of me. Apparently, I did not slow down enough for the car's sensor, as the auto brakes engaged and "slammed" onto the brakes. The car behind me barely had time to react due to the auto-braking so hard on the brakes. Another instance of these auto brakes engaging dangerously, as I am backing out of my driveway ( My home faces a corner and is a 3 way stop intersection) I am halfway out of my driveway when the car picks up there is a car behind me, however the vehicle is NOT behind me it is at the corner stop sign on the opposite side of the road. The brakes once again engaged in a very aggressive manner, throwing everything in the car onto the seats to the floor. I almost got T boned by a car because they had no clue what "I" was doing, or where I was going. Although this function is designed to assist drivers, it is a casualty waiting to happen. I'd rather drive my own car and brake myself than have a car do it for me. Especially in the manner this is engaging. There is no easing onto the brake; it's quite harsh and aggressive. This can lead to you being rear-ended in the long run.

ODI #11706708POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine experienced difficulty cranking. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The contact stated that the engine revved up, but the transmission failed to properly shift gear. The Auto START/STOP light was orange. The contact was concerned about a possible disintegration of the transmission after a friend alerted him of a similar failure. The contact called the local dealer and left a message. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

ODI #11705582VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCECRASH

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)

ODI #11704582ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

I have documented the following issues: -84 instances of "Keep Hands on the Wheel" when my hands were on the 10/2 or 9/3 position. This dates back to March 2025 and has continued into December. -12 instances of the ER braking engaging with "Collision Alert" when no other vehicles/object/danger were around. The ER braking is the sudden, full force stopping of the vehicle staring in April 2025 and as most recently as 12/06/2025. -3 instances of the vehicle being in "drive" but not moving forward; only the engine revving. This started in August and occurred again in October and on 12/06/2025. -1 instance of the vehicle randomly shutting off while driving very slow into the garage on 12/06/2025.

ODI #11702143UNKNOWN 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

ODI #11698341STEERING,AIR BAGSCRASH2 INJURIES

After a hard crash from behind and then being pushed into another car, causing severe damage to the front and rear of the car (total loss), the airbags only deployed on the right (passenger) side. In addition, after the crash, the steering wheel was lying at the driver's feet, completely detached from its original position.

ODI #11695182UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11694445LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

Dear Sir or Madam, My tracking# is 11692602. Kia America apologized to me on 10/14/2025 and said if the government regulatory agency reaches out to them (Kia America), they will be sure to comply with your request. Thank you very much for your efficient handling. I'm writing to you today because the vehicle suddenly sounded an alarm while I was driving today, it seemed like there was a problem with the door (I made a short video of it). I'm so worried and wondered if Kia can get my car repaired soon? Thank you again! Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11692602LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

Dear Sir or Madam, My car was hit by another car when I tried to switch to the next lane. I did give a turning signal and observed before switching. However, a car sped past and hit my car. If the detection system had sounded an alarm at that time, I wouldn't have changed lanes at that moment. Unfortunately the Lane Assist and Blind Spot Detection System was not functioning correctly and failed to provide a warning. This malfunction didn't occur only once, it happened again after this accident(no consequences though).I gave feedback to Kia and I believe my detection system is not working consistently. I requested an inspection on my car. Kia refused to repair the damaged areas for inspection purposes, instead, they pushed OTA updates into my car, and they pushed twice within two weeks without informing me. I asked Kia if the existing issue still could be detected as they pushed the OTA updates. They didn't answer despite me asked twice. Feeling quite helpless, I searched and noted another person's Kia had the same issue: detection system not working consistently. I realized that I will be unable to prove that this vehicle had pre-existing issues due to the OTA updates. I'm worried that Kia might use this as an excuse to refuse to repair the damaged areas. I understand I cannot totally rely on the detection system, but this feature can enhance safety if it works well, at least I would pause and not act if it provides warning properly. Thank you.

ODI #11691667ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

As I am driving, does not matter speed or weather, the instrument cluster screen will do a "System Check" as if the vehicle is being started. The screen will go blank for about 5 seconds and then will reappear. If the vehicle is in cruise control, that will disengage and the vehicle will slow down and I have to catch it and keep speed up. This does not happen every day and has happened at different intervals of 6 days between incidents and up to 15 days. Occurred on: June 9, 2025; June 17, 2025; (vehicle in shop to be looked at June 23rd through August 5th); August 9, 2025, August 14, 2025; September 6, 2025, September 18, 2025; and October 2, 2025.

ODI #11687267POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted gears, causing a slight jerk before accelerating. The instrument panel frequently displayed codes advising the driver to "Turn Off the Engine." While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The instrument panel displayed a message advising the contact to "Check Your Surroundings". When the contact attempted to depress the accelerator, the vehicle failed to respond. Upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle coasted, and the failure reoccurred several times. The contact safely coasted to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and the failure was temporarily resolved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.

ODI #11687100ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

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.

ODI #11684773ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

While driving at random times, no specific speed limit, the screen behind the wheel which shows speed and tachometer, will go into a system check mode. This is similar to when you start up the vehicle. The screen will come back after 5 to 10 seconds but during that time no information is displayed. If you have the vehicle in cruise control, it will disconnect cruise control, and you must catch it, so it does not decelerate to much while in traffic. When it comes back up it may reengage the cruise and it may not. This is a safety issue while driving for both no screen as well as disconnection of cruise control as you can not tell your speed and it slows vehicle down with no brake indication for those behind you which could result in a crash. Vehicle went to dealership and they could not recreate, but were told to replace the cluster which they did, but the issue is still happening on the vehicle. I have a case open with the automobile manufacturer to have the vehicle purchased back as they are not sure what the issue is.

ODI #11681141STRUCTURE

The top molding on both the right and left side of the vehicle have blown off. Kia repairs one side by gluing it back into place but we are still waiting for the other side to be repaired. This is the same issue the Kia sportage ,2023-2024, reported and was filed for recall. I believe this is an ongoing issue with the 2025 model Kia sportage and should be added to the recall list.

ODI #11680542UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11677714UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11675424VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

The fail that the Kia sportage 2025 had is that every time when accelerating the car would bounce back in a violent way. Safety was at risk on busy roads since car was not able to accelerate and instead bounced back making it more dangerous for the car behind. No problem has been confirmed. The car has not been inspected yet. The car seemed as normal without check engine lights or any manual transmission gear activated. Car was on drive and there was no alert or fail shown on screens

ODI #11673910UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2 INJURIES

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)

ODI #11673433STEERING

The steering shaft de-coupled from the steering wheel, leading to a complete loss of steering. After stop, engine was turned off and steering wheel lowered. At that point the steering wheel fell in my lap, completely decoupling from the steering collum.

ODI #11670586ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,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

ODI #11670587ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

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

ODI #11670589POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Started vehicle and was driving, ISG (auto start stop) light went amber and transmission refused to shift to allow uphill travel. Had to pull over and turn engine off and on again for the transmission to start working. Have had to dealer, however yet again they cannot replicate in their test drive so they can't do anything about it.

ODI #11670590POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

vehicle dash reset and cruise control was set. when dash came back up car surged nearly causing a wreck Reported to dealership and they could not replicate so not sure what to do as they can never replicate the issues and won't do anything to help

ODI #11667481VISIBILITY,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.

ODI #11661434STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while inspecting inside the vehicle, the contact saw a rodent on top of the air cabin filter, and there were pieces missing from the air cabin filter due to rodent damage. A dealer was contacted. The contact was informed by the dealer that there was a hole between the engine compartment and the passenger’s compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

ODI #11655800UNKNOWN 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.

ODI #11652796STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

car is 119 miles. I was driving and steering wheel stopped working out of nowhere.

ODI #11645091SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

Statement for NHTSA Complaint: I am filing this complaint regarding a 2025 Kia Sportage EX (VIN: [XXX] ) that I purchased, which was sold to me with a defective brake booster. This defect resulted in a complete brake failure, putting my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. When the issue occurred, I lost braking power, which could have led to a severe accident. After bringing the vehicle in for repair, it was confirmed that the brake booster was faulty. Kia of America has only offered to reimburse me for my 1,000 insurance deductible, despite selling me a defective vehicle that should never have been on the road. They have not taken full responsibility for the issue, nor have they provided an appropriate resolution. This is a major safety concern, and I am concerned that other Kia Sportage owners may be driving with the same defect, unaware of the potential danger. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter further and take appropriate action to ensure Kia addresses this safety hazard properly. Please let me know if you require any additional information regarding my case. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Annual complaints and reliability score for KIA Sportage — recall years marked in red
0142705010020252026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 44 total NHTSA complaints filed over 2 years, with the worst year being 2025 (27 complaints, including 3 crash reports).

The amber reliability line averaged 10/100 across the vehicle's life — dropping as low as 10 in 2025 when complaint severity peaked.

Notably, despite 44 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.

Red dots on the amber line flag 2025, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial
$31,344
~$522/mo over 5 yrs
$2.6/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$4,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$8,344

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $31,344 (~$522/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

1 open recall (unverified repair status)−$500
Total recommended deduction−$500
HIGH
Verify recall TRAILER HITCHES has been repaired
Recall on record for: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage ve
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.
20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%

20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions
Full Coverage
$1,930–$2,460/yr
~$161–$205/mo
Liability Only
$530–$680/yr
~$44–$57/mo
Category: Mainstream
New / recent model year: +15% (high replacement cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

KIA has been fined $27M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2020: Failure to promptly conduct recalls for Theta II engine defect.

2020$27MFailure to promptly conduct recalls for Theta II engine defect

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Vehicle Identity

VINKNDPUCDF7S7336659
Model Year2025
MakeKIA
ModelSportage
TrimLX
SeriesWagon Body Style
Vehicle TypeMULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Doors5
Drive Type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Displacement (L)2.5

Manufacturer

ManufacturerKIA CORPORATION
Assembly CityGWANGJU
Assembly CountrySOUTH KOREA

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)KND
Check Digit (Char 9)7
Model Year Code (Char 10)S
Plant Code (Char 11)7
Sequence (Chars 12–17)336659

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count1
NHTSA Complaint Count44
K
1
N
2
D
3
P
4
U
5
C
6
D
7
F
8
7
9
S
10
7
11
3
12
3
13
6
14
6
15
5
16
9
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
K
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
N
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
D
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
PUCDF
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
7
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
S
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
7
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
336659
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
South Korea
From VIN position 1 (K)
Model Year Character
"S" → 2025
Could also be 1995
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/7/2026, 4:53:42 AM.