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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
5%of 381 total for the year
Median mileage
89,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Kia Sportage, 5% of the 381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“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

“While driving motor suddenly starts knocking. Took to the garage was told motor could siez up any time wasn't safe to drive. They also said there was a recall on some motors for the same reason. My modlld was not included. I fel this is an issue that should be investigated further.”

NHTSA complaint #11251955, filed 2019-08, 127,000 miles

“Driving straight down the highway in the mountains, the car stalled 3 times when I would let off the gas. It began making a noise like the muffler wasn't working, then a knocking noise under the hood, and the noise under the hood got louder. I had the car towed to my repair shop. He told me the engine needed to be overhauled or replaced. I spoke to the dealer, the said the same thing. They want $9,800 to replace the engine.”

NHTSA complaint #11219297, filed 2019-06, 53,900 miles

“Vehicle experienced loss of power while accelerating on the highway and making a dangerous left turn across two lanes of traffic. A knocking noise coming from the engine persisted after this loss of power. The vehicle was immediately taken to the closest Kia dealership the following day and diagnosed as having engine bearing failure. Kia currently has a recall (sc-147) for engines demonstrating this type of failure, but we were told that the recall did not extend to the engine in our 2013 Kia Sportage. …”

NHTSA complaint #11101041, filed 2018-06, 109,856 miles

“The engine was running and my husband was in our daughter's driveway. He put the car in reverse so our son-in-law could leave for work and the engine stalled (later finding out it seized). Not knowing the problem, they tried to jump start the car with no luck. We called aaa at 10am and to make a long story short, after 4 aaa calls, the car was towed to shorkey Kia dealership. We had to pay $119 for a diagnosis. Then were told the batter was bad ($172). After the batter was put I, we were told the starter was bad (didn't get that price). …”

NHTSA complaint #11217796, filed 2019-06, 55,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025611%
202445%
20231910%
202237%
202147%
202032%
2019710%
20181811%
20174110%
201686%
201564%
201443%
2013185%
2012215%
20112313%
2010210%
200934%
20081212%
200734%
200665%
200511%
20022310%
20012210%
20004113%
19995720%
19986321%
19972514%
19961119%
199547%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Sportage

Engine
301 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 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 Nov 1, 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