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2025 Kia Sportage Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2025 Kia Sportage carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering trailer hitches. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Panoramic sunroof and window spontaneous shattering.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

TRAILER HITCHES

Campaign #25V874000 · Dec 17, 2025

Issue: 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."

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2025 Kia Sportage.

Reported to NHTSA

Panoramic sunroof and window spontaneous shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9 NHTSA complaints · 2025-04 → 2026-05

“While driving on an open highway, my panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded on [XXX] coming back from Prescott with me behind the wheel, my husband as a passenger, and my dog in the backseat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11739049
“I was driving to work and there was a sound like an explosion or a gun shot and then my sun roof was shattered”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11735724
“My sunroof exploded on my vehicle. I had no idea that this is something that can happen but saw that there was a class action lawsuit about this back in 2011. My sunroof had a giant hole in the middle out of nowhere”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11655800

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel blackout and reboot while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-06

“The cluster system of the vehicle lit up every warning system which prevented the running vehicle from being able to be put into drive. Safety was put at risk because I'm afraid this will happen while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11742525
“We have lost instrument panel info while driving twice in less than a year, it reboots while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738179
“Dash resets and you loose instruments for a few seconds. When they come back they are inaccurate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670586

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lane departure and rear camera sensor failure

LANE DEPARTURE, BACK OVER PREVENTION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-10 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the rear-view camera had become inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726758
“My car was hit by another car when I tried to switch to the next lane. I did give a turning signal and observed before switching”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11692602
“I'm writing to you today because the vehicle suddenly sounded an alarm while I was driving today, it seemed like there was a problem with the door (I made a short video of it)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694445

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and transmission shift failure

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687267
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687100
“The fail that the Kia sportage 2025 had is that every time when accelerating the car would bounce back in a violent way”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675424

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature brake rotor wear and pedal engagement failure

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-06

“In November 2025, with approximately 6,900 miles on the vehicle, I reported brake issues to the dealership. After inspection, the dealership resurfaced (turned) the brake rotors at no charge”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743057
“3 times my car has been in for rotors my car is not even a year old 10/25 resurfaced rotors 1/26 brand new rotors 3/26 rotors warped having to resurface the new rotors this shouldn’t be happening on a new car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725124
“I am filing this complaint regarding a 2025 Kia Sportage EX (VIN: [XXX] ) that I purchased, which was sold to me with a defective brake booster. This defect resulted in a complete brake failure, putting my safety and the safety of others at serious risk”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11645091

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic emergency braking false activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-01

“While driving this car, I have experienced the car's auto-braking system. While driving on I-94, the traffic was slowing down due to activity ahead of me”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11710155
“While driving my 2025 Kia Sportage on the highway with my [XXX] son in the back seat, we experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction that prompted this report”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673910
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704582

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel or shaft disconnection

STEERING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-04 → 2025-11

“The steering shaft de-coupled from the steering wheel, leading to a complete loss of steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673433
“car is 119 miles. I was driving and steering wheel stopped working out of nowhere”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11652796
“After a hard crash from behind and then being pushed into another car, causing severe damage to the front and rear of the car (total loss), the airbags only deployed on the right (passenger) side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698341

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2025 Kia Sportage reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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