KIA Sportage Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the KIA Sportage across 30 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (22). The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (15% of reports).
- 192vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 28 of 192 complaints (15%)
- Suddenly accelerated: mentioned in 11 of 192 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 71 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 192 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 13 an injury.
KIA Sportage vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 Sportage | 5 | 9% | — |
| 2024 Sportage | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 10 | 5% | 12,800 |
| 2022 Sportage | 1 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2021 Sportage | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 7,400 |
| 2019 Sportage | 2 | 3% | 2,000 |
| 2018 Sportage | 8 | 5% | 87,000 |
| 2017 Sportage | 18 | 4% | 19,113 |
| 2016 Sportage | 7 | 5% | 19,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 2014 Sportage | 4 | 3% | 235 |
| 2013 Sportage | 4 | 1% | 99,110 |
| 2012 Sportage | 3 | 1% | 106,000 |
| 2011 Sportage | 10 | 6% | 67,000 |
| 2010 Sportage | 1 | 5% | 96,000 |
| 2009 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 80,500 |
| 2008 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 148,000 |
| 2007 Sportage | 7 | 9% | 87,342 |
| 2006 Sportage | 10 | 9% | 112,000 |
| 2005 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 51,000 |
| 2002 Sportage | 3 | 1% | 40,010 |
| 2001 Sportage | 11 | 5% | 18,884 |
| 2000 Sportage | 6 | 2% | 50,988 |
| 1999 Sportage | 11 | 4% | 69,000 |
| 1998 Sportage | 18 | 6% | 5,500 |
| 1997 Sportage | 22 | 12% | 60,000 |
| 1996 Sportage | 5 | 9% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 3 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Model years: 1996
Problem: The accelerator pedal assembly could bind or stick during operation.
Risk: This condition can cause the accelerator to hold the throttle partially open, resulting in loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While traveling at highway speeds on the freeway, the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure, causing the vehicle to lose power and violently force itself into an emergency low-speed "limp mode." This created an immediate, severe collision hazard with surrounding high-speed traffic. The…
I am reporting a recurring and unresolved acceleration issue with my 2023 Kia Sportage. The vehicle intermittently continues to accelerate or maintains elevated RPMs even after I release the accelerator pedal. This has occurred multiple times and creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle…
VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line VIN: [redacted] APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 34,000 miles DATE OF INCIDENT: September 3, 2026 LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE…
The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine failure while driving. The vehicle completely lost acceleration, entered a low-pitched humming 'limp-home mode,' and the dashboard red oil pressure warning light illuminated solidly.The vehicle had previously received the mandatory…
See attached document for complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 192 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage vehicle speed control?
Yes: 1 safety recall list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the KIA Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 28 of 192 complaints, followed by “suddenly accelerated” (11).
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.