2024 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the panoramic sunroof or the glass panel in front of it shattering, and electrical faults where the instrument cluster or infotainment screen goes blank while driving. A second cluster of complaints covers engine shutdowns and stalls, some traced by dealers to fuel pump or relay faults, and front brake rotors that warp and need resurfacing or replacement at low mileage. Mileages in the sample range from a few thousand to about 50,000, so these are early-life reports rather than high-mileage wear items.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Panoramic sunroof / roof glass shatters

   • 19 complaints (25%)
   • median 36,662 mi at 2.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe a loud pop or bang and then glass breaking out of the panoramic sunroof or the fixed panel between the windshield and sunroof, sometimes with glass falling into the cabin. Several state there was no debris, no other traffic nearby and no sign of an impact, and some say it happened at highway speed or in cold weather. Complaints mention dealers referring the vehicle to a body or collision shop, and owners reporting that similar cases are known for this model. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 45,000 miles, sometimes in cold or freezing conditions and often at highway speed.

   Recall 24V025000

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof and the fixed roof glass for chips, stress marks or previous replacement, and ask whether the roof molding recall was performed. Note whether the vehicle has a panoramic roof, since the complaints are concentrated there.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The component that failed is the sunroof (glass) The sunroof exploded while driving down the street, glass splattered in my head, face, and body. I almost wrecked because it sounded like a gunshot. The component is being inspected by the insurance adjuster and dealership on 10/23/25. There was no warning lamp, message or other symptom of the problem prior to the explosion.”

   NHTSA complaint #11695094, filed 2025-10

   “The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered upon entry in to the vehicle and closing the driver door. If the privacy cover closed, my daughter would have been showered with glass. I have tried reaching out to a Kia Dealer directly but have not received a response. I did notify my insurance so there would be a record and I am waiting for an adjuster to come out to look at the vehicle and document it. No warnings.”

   NHTSA complaint #11682154, filed 2025-08
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine shuts off or stalls while driving

   • 16 complaints (21%)
   • median 18,700 mi at 2.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out at stops, in traffic or while turning, with warning lights on the dash and difficulty restarting. Some complaints say the dealer traced the stall to a faulty fuel pump, pump relay or ignition fuse, while others report no fault found or the issue returning after repair. A few describe hesitation and near-stalls that the dealer could not duplicate. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, often during low-speed driving or at intersections.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether fuel pump, relay or ECU software work was done, and pay attention to idle quality and any warning lights during a test drive. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since day one of my purchase I noticed All warning light turned on and goes off while driving over an hour I thought it was normal as it’s my first Kia so continue to drive and it did same when ever I go on long drive and after 2 months it started vehicle to loose power and I always has to stop and restart the engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11669615, filed 2025-06

   “On December 24, 2025, while driving in traffic, my Kia Sportage experienced severe lurching, bucking, and jerking, causing the engine to shut down. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, including a message prompting me to turn engine back on. The vehicle would not restart, necessitating a tow to Horne Kia. After several days of diagnostics, it was determined that a blown ignition fuse and a bad fuel pump relay were the issues, along with a battery replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11725255, filed 2026-03
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Warning lights and driver-assist system faults

   • 22 complaints (29%)
   • median 22,500 mi at 1.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report multiple dashboard warning lights appearing together, along with forward collision, lane keeping or lane departure warnings and occasional camera blockage messages. Some describe the vehicle braking unexpectedly when cruise control or adaptive cruise is active, while others say the assist systems failed to warn before a collision. Complaints mention dealers being unable to duplicate the faults. Reported across the first two years, at highway speed and in rain or cold weather.

   Recall 24V422000

   What to check: Confirm the power steering recall was performed, and on a test drive check that no warning lights stay lit and that the camera and radar areas are clean and undamaged. Ask whether any assist-system diagnostics were run.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car emergency brake component was faculty and kicked in at an inappropriate time. When the emergency brake occurs you are unable to move the car at all. Being unable to move put myself and my passenger seater at risk for bring hit to which we were. The vehicle was not inspected due to Kia Corporate office not answering the phone.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687004, filed 2025-09

   “The ECU malfunctioned and the passenger side airbag didn’t go off and should have. There were error codes and I told KIA service department about it but they weren’t to concerned and said they would look at it at my first service appointment”

   NHTSA complaint #11642932, filed 2025-02
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster or screen goes blank while driving

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 2.2 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the dashboard cluster or infotainment screen going black while driving and then coming back with a system check, sometimes losing speedometer readings, gauge information or cruise control settings for several seconds. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits with cluster replacement, wiring and coaxial connection repairs and software updates, and several say the problem returned or could not be reproduced. Reported from shortly after purchase through the first two years, at all speeds and sometimes while parked.

   Recall 25V8740007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the cluster and infotainment software updates have been applied, and check if a tow hitch harness is installed, since a recall covers screen failure with that accessory. Watch the cluster during a test drive for flicker or a reboot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cluster screen goes black The dealership has replaced the screen & completed a software update. I have several videos. The dealership states they can’t fix it because they can’t replicate it. So I send them a video when it occurs. I called Kia direct and was informed to get a new car. It’s been going on for a year. We purchased the car brand new.”

   NHTSA complaint #11647454, filed 2025-03

   “A month after buying my vehicle in February of 2024, while driving my vehicle the screen behind my steering wheel will black out and come back on and do a system check as if I had just turned my car on. It happens at all times of day, at all speeds. I kept a log of some of the incidences and there are no two that are the same. I have even been in park with the car on and it will happen. When you are driving with cruise control on and it does it the cruise control shuts off then comes back on after it has done the system check again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11705254, filed 2025-12
5. 5
   Brakes

   Front brake rotors warp and vibrate

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 6,100 mi at 0.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report shaking or pulsation through the steering wheel and pedal when braking, appearing within the first several thousand miles. Complaints describe dealers resurfacing or replacing the front rotors, sometimes repeatedly, and owners being told the wear relates to driving style or weather. Some also mention rotor work being declined as a repeat repair. Reported from around 4,000 miles upward, with several repeat failures between about 11,000 and 51,000 miles.

   What to check: At a test drive, brake firmly from highway speed and feel for pedal or steering pulsation, and ask for rotor replacement or resurfacing records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am writing to formally raise a safety concern regarding my vehicle’s brake and rotor system, which has experienced premature failure on two separate occasions. First Occurrence: The issue was first identified prior to reaching 11,000 miles and was addressed by the dealership after surpassing 11,000 miles. The repair involved replacement of the rotors and bolts, but notably, the brake components themselves were not replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685500, filed 2025-09

   “Not safety but I couldn't locate the complaint section you supposably have. The front rotors had to be turned with less than 18K miles. They have since been completely replaced twice at my expense and the car is less than 2 years old. Now the rear rotors have issues and it's going to cost me $360 to turn them or $700 to replace them. The dealer says it's either my driving or the weather. I've have literally been driving for 40 years and have never had to replace rotors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11675759, filed 2025-07

Buying note. This model year is recent enough that most reports are early-life faults, so service history matters more than mileage. Ask specifically about sunroof or roof glass replacement, cluster and infotainment software updates, fuel pump or relay repairs, and brake rotor work, and confirm outstanding recalls were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.