Kia · Sportage · 2013
2013 Kia Sportage
3
Recalls
380
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Kia Sportage has 3 recalls and 380 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (262 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2013 Kia Sportage page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 262 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2013 Kia Sportage reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2013 Kia Sportage currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 380 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (262), service brakes, hydraulic (13), engine and engine cooling (11).
- Vehicle
- 2013 Kia Sportage
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 380
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V652000September 25, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA ID: 18V907000December 19, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Remedy Status
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
NHTSA ID: 17V224000March 31, 2017
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Remedy Status
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Owner Complaints
380 totalENGINE
Feb 15, 2026
Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kia’s denial of warranty coverage for the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Sportage. Per communication with customer care, Kia denied my claim on the basis of “excessive mileage between oil changes.” However...
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STRUCTURE
Dec 1, 2025
Driver side door will not open from the outside. Handle no longer operates.
ENGINE
Sep 27, 2025
While driving in the carpool lane, the engine briefly cut-out and than a rattling sound was heard. We decided to immediately exist the free way at a left-side car pool exit as a precaution. Immediately after exiting, the car went into a complete stall. Had we remained on the f...
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ENGINE
Sep 4, 2025
Have been denied replacement of 2013 Kia Engine due to insufficient records. The KSDS had been installed May 7, 2021. Was told because I did my own maintenance and I have receipts and dates when the maintenance was done reason for being denied. I used 5W 20 full synthetic motor o...
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POWER TRAIN
Sep 4, 2025
KIA America has rejected my appeal for an Engine replacement through the Recall , I had the KSDS, Knock Sensor Installed by North Town KIA 3900 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY , May 7 2021. The warranty I received mentioned to keep oil and filter changed every 7500 miles with 5 w 20 o...
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AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryAug 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the daughter collided with another vehicle after the vehicle aggressively merged in front of her. The collision was at the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The c...
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SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE
Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 19, 2025
I bought my car and then I received a letter stating that it had 1 recall. I called KIA to schedule the recall and they said there are 4 in total. I told them to get them all done because the closes KIA is about 45 min from my house. I took it in KIA called me said everything was...
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ENGINE
Jul 18, 2025
my vehicle, 2013/ SL Sportage recently suffered catastrophic engine failure. I received a renotification from Kia regarding the software updates. Barely a week, [XXX], my engine seized in traffic due to rod failure which the software update could have prevented according to Metro...
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ENGINE
Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 380 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2013 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sportage Years
2014 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.3r121c2012 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.5r390c2015 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r144c2011 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.6r179c2016 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r129c2010 Kia SportageCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r20c
More 2013 Kia Models
2013 Kia OptimaAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.9r1,360c2013 Kia SorentoAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.5r972c2013 Kia SoulAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r653c2013 Kia ForteAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.5r195c2013 Kia RioAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r153c2013 Kia BorregoAnother 2013 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r0c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Sportage have?
The 2013 Kia Sportage has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2013 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has received 380 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Kia Sportage.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2013 Kia Sportage?
The 2013 Kia Sportage received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Sportage?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Kia Sportage are engine (262 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (13 reports), engine and engine cooling (11 reports).
Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2013 Kia Sportage. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.