2013 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

The 2013 Kia Sportage has 3 safety recalls and 381 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-652 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

381

Crashes / fires

5 / 22

Injuries / deaths

6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Kia Sportage vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Kia Sportage recalls

Recall 23V-652: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-907: Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 19, 2018 · 71,653 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 17V-224: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 31, 2017 · 618,160 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2013 Kia Sportage problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	301
Unknown or Other	27
Electrical System	22
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	19
Power Train	18
Engine and Engine Cooling	14
Fuel/Propulsion System	7
Structure	6
Service Brakes	6
Suspension	6
Vehicle Speed Control	4
Air Bags	4

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 5
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) — 1
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap — 1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 98,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Kia Sportage complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Sep 15, 2026

While driving all of a sudden my 2013 Sportage began shaking check Ingine light flashing. This happened out of nowhere. I pulled off to the side of the road, towed to Mechanic shop. They found that a piece of spark plug had broken off into the cylinder shaft. They said it was very unusual. I had it fixed through our local Kia Dealership but could never figure out how or why this happened. I would like to be refunded for this, if, it happened because of a faulty component & Actually there was a recall. Thank you

Engine · reported Apr 26, 2026

Claim #25921274 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute Kiaâs 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 âexcessive mileage between oil changes.â However, this conclusion is not supported by sufficient evidence and does not meet the legal standard required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. My vehicle received regular oil changes at intervals ranging from approximately 5,000 to 13,000 miles using full synthetic oil designed for extended service intervals. While…

Engine · reported Dec 14, 2025

My engine failed due to the knock sensor recall a known issue on my 2013 Kia Sportage the recall is supposed to provide a lifetime warranty but I was denied coverage because the failure happened before I was able to perform the update as I was a new owner to the car and was unaware of the recall at the time I have been going back and forth with the kia dealership for almost 8 months now 4 of those the car was at the dealership because they said I had to pay a $170 the fee for them to inspect the car to see if kia would repair it or not it which I was told I would get a full report when I…

Air Bags · reported Nov 20, 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 contact added that the collision threw her daughter forward and backward, and the contact's daughter sustained neck, shoulder, and lower back injuries, and surgery on her neck was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was then towed to a body shop. The…

Engine · reported Oct 11, 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 freeway, we would have been stranded in the fastest lane with no shoulder and with traffic approaching from the rear at 70mph. Thus we likely avoided catastrophe. There was no warning light. The problems was later determined to be caused by a manufacturer defect resulting in a connecting rod bearing failure. Pursuant to a…

Other Kia Sportage years

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 201420132012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Kia Sportage years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Kia Sportage: 23V-652 (service brakes, hydraulic), 18V-907 (engine, fuel system, gasoline), 17V-224 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Kia Sportage?

Owners report engine problems most often (301 reports), followed by unknown or other (27). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 98,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.