2025 Kia Sportage: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints for the 2025 Kia Sportage that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772701 (filed 10/21/2026): “While driving to work this morning, i experienced an unintended engine acceleration while at a stop sign. it was about 7:30am at the time of event, i had been driving for about 10 minutes up to that point. prior to that, the vehicle had been in the garage all evening. the temperature outside was …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11746853 (filed 06/27/2026): “We were getting in our car to drive home from a restaurant. we attempted to start our car like any other day, and the car started. however, our car was stuck in gear, it was in parking but also not in parking. the car was not moving, the gear was in “park”, the dot light for park was not showing, an…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11726412 (filed 03/23/2026): “The contact owns a 2025 kia sportage. there was no indication that there was an issue while test-driving the vehicle. the vehicle was cleaned by the seller before purchase. the contact stated that while driving for twenty minutes, they noticed there was an abnormal burning /chemical smell detected. …”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- NHTSA complaints API: SPORTAGE 2025
- NHTSA complaints API: SPORTAGE HYBRID 2025
- NHTSA complaints API: SPORTAGE PLUG-IN HYBRID 2025
Page last updated .