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EnginePart report

2013 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

Complaints
301about this part
Share
79%of 381 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 301 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Kia Sportage, 79% of the 381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 18 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“Was driving my car on a highway when it started making a terrible, metal-on-mental noise in the engine. At first it was a little noise and as I kept driving it got more persistent so I pulled over before anything could get worse. Took it in to the shop and they said metal got mixed in the oil and caused damage internally within the engine. So now it needs a whole new one.”

NHTSA complaint #11355623, filed 2020-09, 100,000 miles

“I was driving down the road and I heard a loud bang. The car lost power at all dash lights came on. I take it to mechanic and he said that I threw a rod and that it cracked a hole in the engine block. This specific type of Kia sport age engine has not been recalled. But the bearings came loose and it threw a rod just like the other 2013 Kia sportages that have been recalled”

NHTSA complaint #11352528, filed 2020-09, 89,000 miles

“Our Sportage has the 2.4 engine. At 139,000 miles while driving on the interstate the engine started knocking. The car displayed no check engine warning lights, no check oil, no temperature change. We lost power on the interstate but made it and pulled off the next exit. We had it towed to a repair shop. They diagnosed a failed engine and found metal shaving in oil.”

NHTSA complaint #11204708, filed 2019-04, 139,664 miles

“Driving down the road my car just shut down had it hauled home then had a mechanic look at it he said my motor was seized lock up he pull my oul pan it is full of metal it has 125000 miles I called Kia its not in tje recall it has the 2.4l engine how can 1 be on recall not tje other they tell me they cant help me”

NHTSA complaint #11377572, filed 2020-12, 125,000 miles

“My 2013 Kia Sportage with 66,000 miles started to make a loud noise as I was driving the car. I pulled in to a mechanic shop immediately. Mechanic advised engine trouble and recommended to tow the car to the dealer. The dealers is currently holding the car and will advise. His initial thought was the engine needs to be replaced. At 66,000 miles what a big dissapointment.”

NHTSA complaint #11218116, filed 2019-06, 66,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025713%
20241115%
20233820%
20222146%
20212343%
20207747%
20193752%
20189155%
201722255%
20166246%
20158458%
20147358%
201330179%
201232884%
20117743%
2010210%
20091013%
20081717%
2007810%
20061514%
200511%
200221%
200110%
200021%
199921%
199821%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Sportage

Other or unknown
27 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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