8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
118,600 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (3 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2013 Kia Sportage engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #5

Nov 062022

Sportage LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2013 Kia Sportage with 85,000 miles on it. I had an email back in 2018 that said that there was a recall for engine issues. I immediately called and they said that based on my VIN number, it did not affect my car. On 11/6/2022, my engine died while I was coming back from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville, FL in Ocala with no warning whatsoever. I had it towed to a mechanic who knew exactly what was wrong. He had worked on several Kia's with the same engine problem and told me to call KIA regarding the warranty.

I called Kia Resolution Center as well as Kia Corporate Headquarters and they all stated that there was NOT a safety issue with my engine. They said they sent out a Product Update for an extended warranty, which I do not recall getting back in 2021, or I would have obviously called to get it. Because I did not respond to the Product Update, that I never received, they will NOT cover the replacement engine or even help with it. I had to sell my car as is with no engine to put a down payment on another car at a dealership.

My car was paid for with very low mileage and very well maintained with regular oil changes, etc. There are hundreds and hundreds of complaints about this same issue, but Kia does not want to take responsibility for their obvious shoddy engines. I will NEVER buy another Kia or recommend one.

- jugoflo1962, Jacksonville, US

problem #4

Sep 202019

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

I was driving my 2013 Kia Sportage EX down the interstate going 70mph when I noticed a knocking sound, so I turned off the air & radio, listened and pressed the gas pedal a little. The sound got faster & louder when hitting the gas pedal, but the car stopped accelerating. At this point, the check engine light went on & off a couple times. I pulled over and popped the hood, the engine was smoking but that was the only thing I could see wrong. Towed my car to a local shop I trust, where they referred me to a Kia dealership and said it sounded like the knockback system that there was a recall for. Kia is basically telling me nope, sorry, your engine is blown and we have no idea why, how weird that it's similar to the recalls we put out though.... As a college student, I have no immediate solution (nor the funds to replace an engine)!!

- pdaisy2008, Indianapolis, US

problem #3

Jun 222021

Sportage EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,000 miles

My perfectly maintained car misfired and started knocking while driving on the interstate. The solution is a new engine which I’m not going to deal with.

- fvictoria, Bradley, US

problem #2

May 272019

Sportage LX Theta Ii

  • Manual transmission
  • 108,000 miles

click to see larger images

blown engine blown engine blown engine blown engine blown engine

Driving down the road - noticed a weird noise when accelerating, then the motor just died - while driving 70 MPH on the highway. Had to get off the road, was left stranded for nearly an hour. Finally got it hauled to an auto shop - when they called they let me know there was a chunk missing from the engine block and it would require a new engine to repair, which was nearly what the value of the vehicle was.

Now that I see how big the problem is, I'm pissed. The car was a 2013 that I'd owned for the entirety of its life, serviced regularly, and only had 108K miles - now it's dead and has no value. Crazy. I was a huge proponent of Kia, raved about the value and quality to my friends, planned to buy a Telluride in the near future - no longer.

- Luke T., Austin, TX, US

problem #1

Nov 052018

Sportage 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

I bought a 2013 KIA Sportage in 2015, paid cash for this vehicle because everyone raved how these vehicles are so good and dependable, had the vehicle for 3 yrs., and my engine blew. I was at a stop light and went to take off and my car sounded horrible, I pulled in to a gas station and called my brother and asked him what it was he replied shut it off your motor sounds blown. So I had to pay out of pocket to have it towed to the closet Kia dealership where they diagnosed my car as having a blown engine due to the bearings, and that my estimate was $5,768.90 to be fixed. That’s when they told me about the recall for several different types of Kia's however unfortunately my engine isn't covered under the recall. Which after reading several other peoples complaints it doesn’t appear theirs is covered either. Which is confusing to ME.

Right now there are approximately 15 million Kia customers that are experiencing this same dilemma. And to find out Kia isn't going to help me replace my motor! I have went through every step there is through Kia to see about them adding my engine to the recall or some kind of “good will” assistance to cover this expense and they told me that my car has to many miles, My miles on this car is 139,864. And the recall claims unlimited miles. So explain that to me.

This is ridiculous there are over 15 million recalls for this issue, and Kia knew these motors were bad and still sold the vehicles. For someone who is single like myself and rely on driving something dependable and can't afford something else or the outstanding amount for the repairs, Kia leaves me with nothing. Now do I not only have nothing to drive, have to gets rides to work, and try to figure out how to come up with over 5, 000 dollars to fix this issue, I guess it's a Merry Christmas to me.

Thank you Kia!!! I will never purchase another Kia again. Something needs to be done about this issue not just for myself but all the other people who are going through the same thing I am.

- Michele M., New Carlisle, IN, US

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