Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV by year filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2026 Kia Sportage PHEV
SUV, plug-in hybrid, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in South Korea. Owner complaints on file from Mar 18, 2026 to Jun 15, 2026.
Recall campaigns covering this model year143k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Below the median 2026 suv
Severity index0.02026 suvs average 10.9
First 24 monthsOpenWindow has not closed yet
Components
100% of complaints about the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-046 | Jan 26, 2026 | Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail | Electrical system | 42,677 | Software update |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 15, 2026Failure Jun 10, 2026Centerpoint, INElectrical system, Engine, Power train
On start up (date 6/10/26) the dash warned "Check Driver Assistance System," but the car started. Turned off the car, restarted, and this warning was replaced by a yellow "check engine" light, and a remark that the hybrid controller had a fault; the Kia app on my phone indicated the trouble as well. Called for roadside assistance; just before the tow truck operator arrived the faults cleared. Dealer found the stored error code C186387 (CAN BUS time out to navigation error). The error did not cause any safety issues as the car was parked. Another similar error occurred on 6/15/26, this time with check engine lights; the car would not go into drive. Restarting seemed to fix the issue, and my OBD scanner showed no faults in the ECUs.
NHTSA complaint 11744158 - Filed Mar 18, 2026Failure Mar 7, 2026Bloomington, ILEngine, Fuel/propulsion system
On 7 March 2026 our Kia Sportage PHEV died its first time on the highway with less than 1000 miles on it. There were no warning lamps or messages before the issue happened. The car's acceleration pedal stopped working and it slammed us from 70mph to less than 20mph. It had a loud grinding noise and the check engine light came on. My family was almost hit by a semi truck because of this. The car was immediately taken to the Kia dealership we purchased it from. A few days later they told us it was the "high pressure fuel pump" that failed. I asked them to check the fuel system or the engine oil to see if there was any glitter, then, because the grinding noise we would have heard is metal on metal. And any small metal shavings in the wrong place would cause another catastrophic issue. I also asked them if they checked the cam lobe for damage. They did not inspect any of these and told me so. Yet, their paperwork stated they did a 21 point inspection. They told me all that was is checking codes. The dealership is now claiming the car is repaired, without those concerns inspected, and neither my wife nor I feel safe taking the VIN back.
NHTSA complaint 11725315
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
16 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- TSB_CLI049_R2 Aug 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR – ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides informat… - TSB_ELE429 Jul 25, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: UPPER ACTIVE AIR FLAP DUCT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (CA2606) - This bulletin provides information to replace the upper active air flap (“AAF”) duct assembly on certain 2026-2027MY Sportage (NQ5), Sportage Hybrid (NQ5… - TSB_BOD353 Jul 9, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WIND NOISE FROM FRONT LEFT DOOR (CA2601) - This bulletin provides information regarding a wind noise heard on certain 2026MY Sportage vehicles listed. The affected vehicles may experience wind noise coming from the front left doo… - TSB_ELE422 May 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at u… - TSB_ELE417 Apr 14, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and US… - OTA_SA635_R1 Feb 10, 2026 · Over The Air
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR ELECTRIC WATER PUMP (SA635) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2026 Sportage and Sportage HEV/PHEV and 2025 EV6 ve… - TSB_ELE406_R1 Feb 10, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: DCU OPERATIONSOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA635) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulle… - TSB_ENG261 Jan 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use monitoring performance tracking” emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain v… - PS797 Dec 9, 2025 · Other
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating … - TSB_ELE400_CLSD Oct 15, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: PDW OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA629) - This bulletin provides instructions for upgrading the Body Domain Controller (BDC) system on select 2026MY Sportage (NQ5a) and Sportage P/HEV (NQ5 P/HEV) vehicles, as list… - SC350_TSB Oct 16, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN PDW OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC350) - This bulletin SC350, superseded the previously released TSB ELE400/SA629. This bulletin provides instructions for upgrading the Body Domain Controller (BDC) sys… - SC350_QA Oct 16, 2025 · Service Campaign
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC350) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC350. - SC350_OWNR Oct 18, 2025 · Service Campaign
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC350) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to upgrade the Body Domain Controller (BDC) software logic in certain 2026 MY Sportage, Sportage Hy… - SC350_DPSM Oct 16, 2025 · Service Campaign
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC350) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to upgrade the Body Domain Controller (BDC) s… - SC350_DP Oct 16, 2025 · Service Campaign
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC350) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to upgrade the Body Domain Controller (BDC) software logic in the following v… - TSB_ELE400 Sep 19, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: PDW OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA629) - This bulletin provides instructions for upgrading the Body Domain Controller (BDC) system on select 2026MY Sportage (NQ5a) and Sportage P/HEV (NQ5 P/HEV) vehicles, as list…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.