Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. The contact noticed that the coolant level was low, and additional coolant was added. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a loss of fluid. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The message "Hybrid System Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was restarted after several minutes. While driving, the vehicle stalled, and the contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving in the center lane, the vehicle stalled. The driver turned on the hazard lights while coasting to the side of the roadway. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the engine seized. The hybrid engine message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and parked. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact reset the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy four-lane highway. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that no diagnostic information was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced an EVAP leak in April 2026. The vehicle was at the dealer for two months and was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
I was driving east from Austin, Tx on [redacted], and as I approached a major intersection in Elgin, Tx., a warning light appeared on my dashboard that said "hybrid system failure: pull over safely". I was able to pull over into the left turn lane and then was barely able to make it over a curb and onto a highway median strip, before my car engine stopped and all dashboard lights went out. This happened in about 30 seconds. My two year old car with fewer than 30,000 miles on it went completely dead. It would not start even after several attempts. I called Kia roadside assistance, and was told I needed to have the car towed to a dealership. The tow truck driver backed the car into the space they indicated at the dealership, and it started to roll forward as it was apparently in neutral. He had to borrow a board to put under the back wheels. …
Intermittently, when trying to accelerate from a stop; or a near stop, the vehicle does nothing for a second or so. The vehicle also vibrates at various speeds while the hybrid system is engaged. It is dangerous and a safety concern because you can't merge correctly or go through an intersection, without wondering if someone is going to broadside you, as you wait for the car to make up its computer mind to go forward. (accelerate.) And the vibration as previously mentioned. The problems cannot be reproduced by the dealership. No inspection other than the dealership, and no warning lights, etc. The car is available for a detailed inspection if needed. I first noticed the issue around approximately 7000 miles and brought it to the dealership for both issues. I'm repeatedly told excuses: it's my rims, a balancing issue, or I don't understand how a hybrid works, etc. …
The hybrid powertrain system failed. Specifically, the vehicle remains stuck in EV mode and does not switch to the gasoline engine under acceleration, leading to complete loss of power while driving. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction caused the vehicle to lose all forward power in traffic. I had to pull over into emergency lanes and restart the vehicle multiple times. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to a crash, especially on highways or during merging. It puts both myself and others on the road at risk. The Kia authorized service center was able to reset the adaptive system, and the hybrid warning light turned off temporarily. However, the issue reappeared the same day. The dealer claims they cannot reproduce it and refuses further diagnosis without replication. The vehicle was only inspected by a Kia-authorized dealership. …
My 2023 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid has experienced repeated engine-related failures since October 2022, requiring multiple dealer repairs. The safety issue escalated in 2026 when the vehicle experienced sudden loss of acceleration while driving on highways. In April/May 2026, the vehicle lost acceleration twice within approximately 10-15 minutes. Warning messages appeared, including Check Engine Light and "Check Hybrid System - Stop Safely." The accelerator became unresponsive, requiring the vehicle to be moved to the shoulder. The dealer diagnosed P0030 and P1120 and replaced the Bank 1 Sensor 1 oxygen sensor and valve cover assembly with manufacturer technical support involved. Several months later, another highway loss-of-acceleration event occurred. The vehicle would not respond to the accelerator, RPM remained around 1,000, and it had to be safely moved off the road. …
Traveling at 70 MPH on [redacted] in traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and I was forced to unsafely maneuver to the shoulder of the road as the vehicle decelerated through the traffic. As soon as I stopped, the vehicle lost all power. I had difficulty engaging the parking brake as I was on a hill and the vehicle started to roll back. The brake pedal did work so I could stop the car but I could not exit the vehicle in fear of it rolling back into traffic. I called 911 to explain the situation. After 20 more minutes I engaged/disengaged the parking brake several times and it finally held. I still would not leave the vehicle because I could not trust it at that point. Another 20 minutes passed and a road ranger arrived and placed a wooden block behind the wheel and at that point I felt comfortable to get out of the car. …
The vehicle frequently fails to engage gas engine when depressing gas pedal to any degree. A full push of the gas pedal does not result in gas engine engagement. This has happened over 15 ties since the recall computer update last summer (2025). This creates extreme danger because the operator expects the full power of the engine to engage when pulling out of intersections or crossing oncoming traffic, but the engine does not engage causing a slow, creeping acceleration from the electric motor only. I took it into the Kia dealer and they found nothing wrong. No warning lights occur when the malfunction happens. And no check engine lights occur either. The only correction is to fully turn the vehicle off and back on. Doing that resets everything back to normal. This malfunction usually occurs within the first 25-30 minutes of vehicle operation.
while driving on the freeway my car suddenly started beeping and gave a hybrid system warning stop safely. I tried to accelerate so I could get to the shoulder but the car continued to lose power eventually it stopped I was able to get over but not to the shoulder, on to the onramp divider. I sat then frantic for about 10secs trying to read display for instructions when the entire car shut down!!! completely black. my car is a still under warranty. I had it towed to the nearest kia dealer they pushed a reset battery button said I can drive it but make sure I take it in as soon as possible. so I did at which point the mechanic started giving me reasons why I may not be under warranty, why they cant give loaner and they need to keep it multiple days. sorry I digress but that is what happen
Engine complaints in other Sportage Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, 27% of the model year's 100 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.