There are 10 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2025 Kia Sportagein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026