2026 KIA Sportage Hybrid
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sportage Hybrid › 2026
These records cover every 2026 KIA Sportage Hybrid. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2026 KIA Sportage Hybrid. Newest first.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
Risk and remedy
Risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Owner complaints
11 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Steering
On October 21, 2026, while driving my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX (approx. 3780 miles), smoke started coming from the steering wheel / steering column area. There was a burning electrical smell. / No warning lights came on. I pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and exited. There was no open…
On October 21, 2026, while driving my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX (approx. 3780 miles), smoke started coming from the steering wheel / steering column area. There was a burning electrical smell. / No warning lights came on. I pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and exited. There was no open flame and no one was injured. The LX trim does not have a heated steering wheel, so a heating element fault is ruled out. The smoke appears to come from an electrical component inside the steering column (clock spring, combination/turn-signal switch, or column wiring). I am concerned this is an electrical short with a fire risk. The vehicle is drived back to home, I try to reach out to Kia customer service and local dealership, but neither of them take this seriously. I checked NHTSA recalls: the only 2026 Sportage recall (SC361, instrument cluster display) does not cover this issue.
- Lane departure › Assist · Lane departure › Warning · Steering
While driving october 19, 2027 on highway 80 i was driving in my lane when the car violently veered to the right...was hard to control. I could have been hit by oncoming car or crashed. The auto is being inspected by the dealer There were no signals or warnings
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · Service brakes
As the vehicle ahead of me began braking, I attempted to slow down accordingly. Despite applying the brake pedal, my vehicle did not decelerate as expected. The brake went down to the floor without resistance. I attempted harder braking, but the vehicle continued moving forward. During this…
As the vehicle ahead of me began braking, I attempted to slow down accordingly. Despite applying the brake pedal, my vehicle did not decelerate as expected. The brake went down to the floor without resistance. I attempted harder braking, but the vehicle continued moving forward. During this incident, the forward collision warning system activated and issued audible alerts. Unfortunately, I was unable to stop before making contact with the vehicle ahead.
- Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
I am writing to formally report a severe and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid. On September 28, 2026 around 8 am, I experienced a terrifying Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while operating the vehicle. I was completely stopped at an intersection…
I am writing to formally report a severe and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid. On September 28, 2026 around 8 am, I experienced a terrifying Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while operating the vehicle. I was completely stopped at an intersection, waiting to make a left turn. The vehicle was stationary with the AUTO HOLD function engaged. When it was time to proceed, I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal to begin moving. Instead of accelerating normally, the vehicle dangerously surged and accelerated on its own. I immediately removed my foot from the accelerator pedal and attempted to stop the vehicle by repeatedly pressing the brake pedal. However, the vehicle did not slow down as expected and continued moving at a high speed. At this time, my foot was completely off the accelerator. The unexpected acceleration lasted for approximately 10 seconds. While repeatedly applying the brake pedal and trying to maintain control, I managed to steer the vehicle into a nearby side street/alley, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop. Fortunately, there was no collision, injury, or property damage. However, this was an extremely frightening and dangerous event. No warning lights or error messages were displayed on the instrument cluster during or after the incident. I requested the Kia Tustin dealer for Inspection and Data Preservation. I also reported to Kia Amerca.
- Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
Vehicle: 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line HybridVIN: [XXX] Complaint – Unexpected Forward Collision-Avoidance Emergency Braking I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety incident involving my 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line Hybrid. While driving on the highway at approximately 66 mph, my vehicle…
Vehicle: 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line HybridVIN: [XXX] Complaint – Unexpected Forward Collision-Avoidance Emergency Braking I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety incident involving my 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line Hybrid. While driving on the highway at approximately 66 mph, my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly activated the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system and applied extremely hard emergency braking. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, or other visible obstruction in front of my vehicle that would have required emergency braking. The braking was severe and unexpected. The force of the braking was significant enough that it caused the passenger door to unlock. I was traveling at highway speed, making the unexpected braking a potentially dangerous situation for me and surrounding traffic. I did not intentionally activate the braking system, and there was no apparent obstruction immediately ahead of the vehicle at the time of the incident. I am concerned that the FCA/ADAS system may have incorrectly detected an object or otherwise malfunctioned and activated emergency braking when it was not warranted. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and investigate whether similar incidents have been reported involving the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line Hybrid, particularly unexpected or false FCA activation resulting in hard braking at highway speeds. I also intend to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer and request that the incident, diagnostic findings, software status, sensor/camera calibration, and any applicable technical service information be documented. Vehicle: 2026 Kia Sportage X-Line Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Approximate vehicle speed: 66 mph System involved: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) Result: Unexpected severe emergency braking with no apparent obstruction ahead Additional concern: Passenger door unlocked during the hard braking event while on highway INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Engine · Unknown or other
Vehicle experiences intermittent stalls when accelerating at freeway speeds. This is my second NHSTA report on this vehicle. Kia replaced the engine to try to fix the problem but it persists.
- Electrical system · Engine · Power train
COMPONENT: Shift-by-wire transmission selector / hybrid control system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: Intermittently, after starting the vehicle, it will not engage Drive or Reverse. The selector input is accepted but the vehicle remains in Park/Neutral and…
COMPONENT: Shift-by-wire transmission selector / hybrid control system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: Intermittently, after starting the vehicle, it will not engage Drive or Reverse. The selector input is accepted but the vehicle remains in Park/Neutral and does not move. The only way to clear it is to shut the vehicle off and restart it, sometimes up to 10 times, or by waiting a few hours, before a gear will engage. This has occurred repeatedly since purchase in November 2025. Vehicle currently has approximately 2,800 miles. SAFETY RISK: The vehicle can become unable to move without warning. If this occurs after a stop in traffic, at an intersection, or on a railroad crossing, the vehicle would be stranded in the roadway. It also prevents moving the vehicle quickly in an emergency. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Reported to a Kia dealership ion 09/02/2026. Dealer attempted to reproduce by starting the vehicle 10 times and reported it worked each time. No diagnostic trouble codes or module data were documented. Problem not confirmed by dealer. I have found other owners of the same model year and powertrain reporting the identical symptom online. OTHER INSPECTION: Not inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance. A case has been opened with Kia consumer affairs requesting a field technician inspection. WARNING LAMPS: None. No warning lights, messages, or chimes before or during the failure. UNKNOWN cause.
- Power train
When I start the car and use the dial to shift into drive or reverse gear quickly, it fails and locks up. I have to turn the car off and/or open the door before restarting the car and wait a few seconds until the "Ready" message appears on the instrument panel. Then, it did not fail to shift into…
When I start the car and use the dial to shift into drive or reverse gear quickly, it fails and locks up. I have to turn the car off and/or open the door before restarting the car and wait a few seconds until the "Ready" message appears on the instrument panel. Then, it did not fail to shift into gears so far. However, this is a major safety hazard if I need to quickly move the car to avoid an imminent danger. I can understand the car may not be ready to shift into the gear within a couple of seconds of starting, but it should accept the shift command when it's ready and not lock up, forcing the driver to take additional time to restart. At times, it made me panic.
- Service brakes
I purchased brand new 2026 KIA sportage hybrid end of may 2026 from a KIA dealership rairdon KIA in burlington, wa. It has less than 2,000 miles currently and there IS a squeaking noise from the brakes. I called the KIA dealers (in renton, wa as well as burlington, wa) and they said that unless it…
I purchased brand new 2026 KIA sportage hybrid end of may 2026 from a KIA dealership rairdon KIA in burlington, wa. It has less than 2,000 miles currently and there IS a squeaking noise from the brakes. I called the KIA dealers (in renton, wa as well as burlington, wa) and they said that unless it IS a manufacturer defect it IS not covered. I can not imagine having brakes making squeaking noise just within two months of purchasing brand new vehicle.
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
Falsification and/or alteration of repair logs, service dates, and/or mileage records across dealership diagnostic networks and third parties. Evasion of warranty and/or other maintenance requirements. Poor dealership and corporate treatment of military veterans. Suspected unauthorized non-factory…
Falsification and/or alteration of repair logs, service dates, and/or mileage records across dealership diagnostic networks and third parties. Evasion of warranty and/or other maintenance requirements. Poor dealership and corporate treatment of military veterans. Suspected unauthorized non-factory wiring harness splices and/or other devices tapped directly into primary Controller Area Network (CAN-Bus) control modules on current model-year (2026) passenger vehicles. Disruption of primary vehicle (and total loss of secondary vehicle) control units resulting in inconvenient intermittent faults, potential safety hazards, severe mental distress, and time/financial losses. Vehicle currently in use as needed only for family requirements, pending purchase of a new vehicle outside the kia motor corporation and West hills dealership network. Both compromised vehicles will then be parked pending investigations.
- Engine
I own a new 2026 KIA Sportage Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Odometer reading 1,200 miles On XXX while accelerating at freeway speeds the vehicle suddenly lost power and went into “reduced power mode” which slows the vehicle to a near stop. A Check engine light came on and two messages appeared. One message…
I own a new 2026 KIA Sportage Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Odometer reading 1,200 miles On XXX while accelerating at freeway speeds the vehicle suddenly lost power and went into “reduced power mode” which slows the vehicle to a near stop. A Check engine light came on and two messages appeared. One message read:” Follow-up check required 1” and the other read: ”There may be a problem with the engine management system. If the warning light remains on please contact your nearest service center or designated maintenance center as soon as possible.” I immediately took the vehicle to a KIA dealership and they said they replaced an oil pressure sensor that they believed caused the problem. Odometer reading 2,450 miles On XXX while accelerating at freeway speeds the vehicle suddenly lost power and went into “reduced power mode” The same warning messages that appeared during the first power loss incident appeared again. After turning the vehicle off and on a few times the messages disappeared and I was able to drive it again. The vehicle is currently in a second KIA dealership for diagnosis and repairs. Both of these incidents occurred when I was passing tractor trailers on the freeway and had just pulled in front of them after passing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Every KIA Sportage Hybrid model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.