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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
18%of 100 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, 18% of the 100 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“As I was driving my 2023 KIA Sportage SX Prestige at 70+mph on highwy, suddenly Hybrid System Failure appeared on the dash along with evey other lights you can think of. I lost power and steering and only by the grace of God was able to safely get to the side of the road and stop. Car was at KIA dealership for 4 weeks and I was told it only needed a software upgrade and nothing was wrong with the car!! This is very dangerous and could get someone in major car accident”

NHTSA complaint #11528885, filed 2023-06

“Ev battery system threw up back back to earnings and codes of overcharge and then all lights on dash came on started beeping and then dash went red saying check hybrid system , hybrid system failure stop vehicle. Engine wouldn’t kick back on. I had literally just left my local Kia for a routine checkup and there report is nothing is wrong. Even tho I’ve called them now a few times about it shaking and idling super hard and going limp very often. Towed back to Kia and they have now had it for 4 days and still no results.”

NHTSA complaint #11710264, filed 2026-01

“When I pulled up at home and parked the vehicle, I pressed the brake pedal, stopping the vehicle, and then pressed the Park button and took my foot off the brake. The vehicle was not in park and rolled forward hitting my trailer with two Jet Skis on it in my driveway damaging the front of my vehicle, and one of the 2 Jet Skis. This is the first time this has happened, and there was no warning at all. Luckily it was in my driveway with no one around. If it had happened in a store parking lot or on a street, it could injure or kill someone easily.”

NHTSA complaint #11653683, filed 2025-04

“While driving on the highway at 80 mph, the accelerator suddenly stopped working and was completely unresponsive. The dashboard displayed the message Check Hybrid system. Stop safely and a warning ding sounded. The gas engine was still operating and showing RPMs on the dashboard, but all acceleration and/or engagement with the engine was lost. I was able to coast and safely pull over to the side of the road. After pulling over, I turned off the engine and pushed the 12v battery reset button. The car restarted, and I was able to continue driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11674812, filed 2025-07

“I was driving my vehicle on the freeway when all of a sudden I got a warning light that came on that said check hybrid system it looked up my brakes and steering the car completely shutdown in the middle of the freeway it happened so fast I couldn't get to the shoulder my car completely just stopped. I spoke to kia and took it to the dealership and they ended up saying because it needed a update which I then called kia and let them know the situation that I almost got in a accident and that I didn't feel safe in that car and they didn't want to help.”

NHTSA complaint #11644973, filed 2025-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026218%
2025214%
202414%
20231818%

Other parts of the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

Electrical system
37 complaints
Engine
26 complaints
Vehicle speed control
23 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
9 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Lane departure
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology