2023 Kia Sportage Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 194 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2023 Kia Sportage, 6% of the 194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On November 15, I was traveling with my mother and seated in the front passenger seat of a 2023 Kia Sportage while she was driving approximately 65 mph on the interstate when the vehicle struck a deer. The impact caused significant front-end damage, including the bumper, radiator area, and underbody components. I was wearing a seatbelt. Despite the severity of the collision and the high rate of speed, neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed. No airbags deployed in any position in the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11712825, filed 2026-01“My airbag light has been on since I got my vehicle. The dealership said it is the front side impact sensor that is failing. If I were to get into an accident my front airbag would not deploy. The dealership has seen the light and confirmed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11461210, filed 2022-04“One week after purchasing the 2023 KIA Sportage EX, the airbag light came on. I took it to a local dealership who deemed the vehicle unfit to drive and kept it for 12 days. After 12 days, the vehicle was released to me and I was told the airbag issue had been resolved. However, a mere two days later, the airbag light came back again. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and have requested both the dealership and KIA to buy back the vehicle since it is brand new, but both have refused. …”
NHTSA complaint #11482869, filed 2022-09“I was involved in a motor vehicle collision where my vehicle sustained significant front-end damage and was later declared a total loss by my insurance company. Despite the severity of the impact, the front airbags did not deploy. The impact was primarily to the front of the vehicle, and the damage required extensive repairs, exceeding the threshold for a total loss. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the crash. The failure of the airbag system to deploy raised serious safety concerns, as airbags are intended to provide occupant protection in frontal crashes of this nature. …”
NHTSA complaint #11713494, filed 2026-01“We purchased a new 2023 Kia Sportage a month ago (January). There are several issues we’ve encountered. One week after purchase, the doors on the vehicle would lock on it’s own and we weren’t able to unlock them. The key fob nor trying to unlock the doors manually would not work. At times, we weren’t able to lock or unlock the doors and had to do it remotely from the Kia app on the phone. I spoke with the salesperson and manager from the dealership on two separate occasions. I was told to change the batteries in the key fobs, but the problem continues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11507139, filed 2023-02Related recalls
- 22V878000Nov 28, 2022Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.Covers: Kia Sportage 2023
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 6% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 20% |
| 2009 | 16 | 20% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 17% |
| 2006 | 38 | 34% |
| 2005 | 12 | 18% |
| 2002 | 17 | 7% |
| 2001 | 20 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 23 | 8% |
| 1998 | 11 | 4% |
| 1997 | 39 | 22% |
| 1996 | 9 | 16% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2023 Kia Sportage
50 complaintsElectrical system
46 complaintsEngine
38 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsForward collision avoidance
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsLane departure
8 complaintsSeats
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Kia Sportage
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