Fifth generation (NQ5)
2023 Kia Sportage
The most reported problem on the 2023 Kia Sportage is brake wear, with 34 complaints, usually around 12,000 miles.
- 190owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 24involved a crash
- 20,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sportage doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2023 model year.
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage reliable?
The 2023 Kia Sportage has 190 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 166 for 2023 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Sportage model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2022 and 2024
- The 2023 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 48 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2022 draws 9 and the 2024 24.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Brake wear has 34 complaints and infotainment has 33, out of 190 in all. Brake wear tends to show up early. Of the 10 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 12,000 miles and a quarter under about 11,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 26 of the 190 complaints (14%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 24 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 14 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of brake wear and infotainment has a recall on the same system: brake wear, 23V-410; infotainment, 22V-651 and 23V-298. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2023 at 62 and have dropped every year since, to 37 in 2025. So far in 2026, 39 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 34 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
190 complaints is 1.2 times the median 2023 model on this site and about the median for a 2023 SUV. Among the 8 Sportage model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2023 Kia Sportage
Kia filed 68 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2023 Kia Sportage. 16 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 34 complaints
FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT & BURNISHING This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front brake discs on certain 2021-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from July 26, 2021 through March 28, 2024 and 2023-2024MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 7, 2022 through May 20, 2024 ...
FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front brake discs on certain 2021-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from July 26, 2021 through March 28, 2024 and 2023-2024MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 7, 2022 through May 20, 2024 ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 33 complaints
AVNT COAXIAL CABLE REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the Audio Video Navigation Telematics (AVNT) head unit coaxial cable on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from August 5, 2021 through May 25, 2023.
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5WSOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and AVN 5.0 Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2022-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 9).
5 more on this problem
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and AVN 5.0 Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to pages 5 and 16).
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a ‘non-responsive’ or ‘inoperative’ radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern.
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles.
UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead.
This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
SERVICE ACTION: MULTI-POINT TRIM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SA516) This bulletin provides information to inspect for looseness and damage of the Multi-Sensor Cover, Door Belt Outside Weatherstrip, and Windshield Garnish on some 2022-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) produced from February 1, 2022 through November 9.
Check engine light or misfire 6 bulletins · 5 complaints
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) THETA III 2.5L GDI (CA2505) This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2023MY Kia models listed in the on the table on page 4, equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI engine and dual fuel injection, where a low-pressure (MPI) ...
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY FUE068/CA2505 - This bulletin is now closed. This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2023MY Kia models listed in the table below equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI ...
4 more on this problem
GDI FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MISFIRE DTC(S) This bulletin provides information regarding cylinder misfire DTCs stored on some 2021-2022 MY Kia Sorento and 2023 MY Sportage vehicles equipped with a naturally aspirated Theta III 2.5L GDI engine and dual fuel injection, where a low-pressure (MPI) injector ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SERVICE ACTION: TRANSMISSION WIRE HARNESS UPGRADE AND RELATED DTC P07XX, P0880 (SA499) This bulletin provides information to upgrade the transmission wire harness on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 12, 2022 through June 1, 2022, in which the wire harness may rub against the shift cable bracket bolt and in some cases, ...
SERVICE ACTION: TRANSMISSION WIRE HARNESS UPGRADE AND RELATED DTC P07XX, P0880 (SA499) This bulletin provides information to upgrade the transmission wire harness on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 12, 2022 through May 12, 2022, in which the wire harness may rub against the shift cable bracket bolt and in some cases, ...
SERVICE ACTION: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P0456/P013E (SA498) This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5/NQ5a) vehicles equipped with Theta 2.5L GDI engine and 8AT produced in the date ranges shown below, which may exhibit a ...
Complaints filed by year
62 complaints came in 2023, 4.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2023 Kia Sportage
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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, 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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 6 recalls on the 2023 Kia Sportage, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2023 Kia Sportage?
Brake wear, with 34 of the 190 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 12,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Sportage problems start?
Of the 44 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 10,000 miles and half by about 20,000.
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage better or worse than the 2022 and 2024?
Counted per year on the road, the 2023 has more complaints than both the 2022 and the 2024: 48 a year against 9 and 24.
How many 2023 Kia Sportage complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
26 of them (14%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2023 Kia Sportage?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 23V-410. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.