There are 2 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2013 Kia Sportagein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH, WENT INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE REVVED INTO THE 7000RPM RANGE, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH, AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK OVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THIS AND MY OIL IS CHANGED REGULARLY. THE ENGINE IS NOW "LOCKED" UP. I AM READING THIS HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE VIN SHOWS NO RECALLS. THIS WAS ON A 55MPH HIGHWAY, WHILE PASSING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED AND SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. A NEW WHEEL BEARINGS WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED. AGAIN IT SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS BEING TOWED TO SHOP FOR THIRD REPAIR. IT WAS RECOMMENDED I LOOK UP RECALL ON CAR NOTICED THERE WAS ONE RECALL AND 114 COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE FOR 2011-2014 SPORTAGES.
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 26, 2026