Most common 2023 Kia Sportage Phev problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sportage Phev complaints by model year
Best Sportage Phev years: 2025. Compare all years →
2023 Kia Sportage Phev recalls (2)
Trailer hitches
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
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.
What 2023 Kia Sportage Phev owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
It happened after the 1st oil change from Kia dealership, the car itself is PHEV so while driving on electric there is no smell on it but right after switching over to engine gasoline HEV only. the interior & exterior smell with heavily burned gasoline. the smell has been complained by my wife and parents. Specially I have a 11 months old baby. not sure what will cause in the future but it makes them dizziness from the gasoline burning from engine to the inside of cabinet. my entire garage now smells with the burned gasoline and its very hard to go away. every time I drive with HEV mode it smells bad, very bad. I've called to schedule a check up on the car on [redacted] but not sure if is common issue with this type of PHEV cars.
Fuel reading is inaccurate. Range miles drop drastically while traveling. Vehicle says it's is out of fuels when there is more than a half a tax. Fuel range miles go from 313 miles while vehicle is off to 417 without refueling. Then drop about 40 range mile during a short 5 or less mile commute. This is all happening while vehicle is traveling is electric mode. Multiple times the vehicles dash display said I was out of gas, but when I went to refuel, there's more than a half a tank. From doing a little online research seems like this is not a isolated incident and many others are having this problem.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being charged, the battery failed to fully charge. The contact stated that the vehicle was only able to drive for 29 miles after being charged. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to make a left turn or while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the contact was concerned for his and other's safety while on the roads. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that upon inspecting the battery, he noticed that it was a different battery but was not notified of any repairs or replacements. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. …
PHEV vehicle: charging interrupted in the middle of the night. When attempting to reconnect the charger, a "Charging unsuccessful" message was given. A warning with "Check Hybrid System" appeared, as well as the check engine light. I cannot charge the car anymore and had to leave it at the dealership.
Speed control & acceleration
When engaging the cruise control using the steering wheel button, the speed will set itself at 110 miles an hour, and the vehicle will in fact attempt to reach that speed and accelerate. The problem has occurred at speeds as low as 30 miles an hour and as high as 70 miles an hour, it happens intermittently pressing the cruise control button does not disengage the cruise control every time sometimes it is necessary to press the brakes for the cruise control to be shut back off.
1. Hybrid system failure And check engine light on . 2. Car jerk while driving and gone to limp mode and my speed was reduced to 10 mph at traffic putting my self and other in danger . 3. My vehicle is currently at the dealership getting inspected this is the second time my hybrid warning light came on and the first time they told me nothing was wrong with my vehicle. 4. All of these symptoms happened at the same time while driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage Phev a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Sportage Phev to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Kia Sportage Phev?
The fuel & propulsion system — 3 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and speed control & acceleration (3).
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Sportage Phev have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2023 Kia Sportage Phev, the most recent from December 17, 2025 (trailer hitches). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sportage Phev?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025. See the full Kia Sportage Phev years comparison.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Sportage Phev problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 9,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.