KnownCarProblems2025 Kia Sportage Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Kia Sportage, most often about the other or unspecified (39% of complaints). It is 22nd of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2025 Kia Sportage problems
Other or unspecified
21 complaints · 39%Electrical
15 complaints · 28%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…
Driver assistance
12 complaints · 22%Parts named most often: adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, warnings.
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…
Engine
7 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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…
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…
Transmission
6 complaints · 11%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…
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…
Brakes
5 complaints · 9%Body and structure
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
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…
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while performing a normal inspection on the vehicle, the body side molding from the front to the rear on the passengerâs side of the roof had detached. The contact stated that the driver's side of the vehicle had started to detach from the rear. The…
Speed control
5 complaints · 9%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2025 Kia Sportage recalls
Equipment: trailer hitches
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2025 Kia Sportage
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Sportage?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (21 complaints); electrical (15 complaints); driver assistance (12 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sportage have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 17, 2025 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2025 a bad year for the Kia Sportage?
- It is 22nd of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints, with 54 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.