YearToAvoid

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest among the 3 model years with data, and ranks worst (1 of 3). It logged 98 complaints, 4 crashes, 4 injuries, and 1 recall, with Engine problems topping the list at 48 complaints (49% share).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 3 Sportage Hybrid years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
98
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
—
no alternative with data
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
40.5
40 city / 41 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine48 (49%)
  2. Electrical System37 (38%)
  3. Other18 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain18 (18%)
  5. Brakes13 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (10%)
  7. Fuel System10 (10%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report brakes going soft or spongy with warnings appearing before stopping takes longer than expected.
  • Some describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor along with a check-brakes message, requiring dealer service that did not fully resolve the issue.
  • One owner reported the vehicle veering violently to the left and off the road while driver assist was engaged in a roundabout.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a forceful collision despite visible impact damage.
  • Owners describe multiple electronic systems, including forward collision avoidance and lane keeping, cutting out at once due to a suspected fuse issue.
  • One report describes the panoramic sunroof glass panel shattering on its own with no apparent impact.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2022Jul 2023Jan 2024Aug 2024Feb 2025Aug 2025May 2026
98 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2023 (5).

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V298000Apr 26, 2023Electrical System108,936 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
40 MPG
Highway
41 MPG
Combined
40.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2023 compared with other Sportage Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023No verdict10098140.5
2024No verdict018040.5
2025No verdict5013040.5

All Kia Sportage Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid a bad year?
Among the 3 Sportage Hybrid model years with data, 2023 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst at 1 of 3, so it stands out as the most complained-about year relative to 2024 and 2025.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
NHTSA complaints show Engine issues lead with 48 complaints (49% share), followed by Electrical System problems at 37 complaints (38% share) and Transmission & Powertrain at 18 complaints (18% share).
Does the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (23V298000) covers a digital instrument cluster issue in the electrical system; Kia dealers update the instrument cluster software free of charge.
How many complaints and crashes have been reported for the 2023 Sportage Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 98 complaints for the 2023 Sportage Hybrid, including 4 crashes and 4 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 40.5 mpg combined (40 city / 41 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.