KiaSportage2023Overview/kia/sportage/2023/base/

2023 Kia Sportage

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Sportage.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2023 Kia Sportage pairs an eight-speed automatic transmission with EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 city, 28 highway, and 25 combined mpg. In its first year on the market, the model has drawn 182 owner complaints — most categorized as unknown or other — and has been subject to six recalls. Across the Sportage's production run from 1995 through 2026, the 2023 total sits well below the peak of 394 complaints recorded for the 2017 model year and far above the low of four for 2003, placing this generation in the middle of the nameplate's long-term reliability spectrum.

Model year202620252023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/28/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire size235/60R18 103HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight3543 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 28 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sportage of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2023 PHEV X-Line Prestige
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec6.90 sec15.20 sec261 hpAWD
2023PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.00 sec15.20 sec261 hpAWD
2023PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.10 sec15.30 sec261 hpAWD
2023HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.20 sec15.50 sec227 hpAWD
2023HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.30 sec15.60 sec227 hpAWD
2023HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.40 sec15.60 sec227 hpAWD
2023HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.70 sec15.80 sec227 hpAWD
2023X-Pro Prestige 2.5L I-48.60 sec16.50 sec187 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 8,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 16,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 32,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 32,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage recorded 182 complaints, 6 recalls, and 66 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). This represents a sharp increase in issues compared to 2022, which had only 42 complaints and 1 recall, and 2024, which saw a decrease to 64 complaints and 3 recalls. Within the recent generation's window, 2023 stands as a peak for both complaints and recalls before the numbers trend downward through 2026. Primary complaint areas for 2023 include the electrical system (14) and service brakes (11), though the data does not specify the root cause for the 22 "Unknown Or Other" complaints. Additionally, the 2023 model year reported 24 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint. Given this spike in recalls and complaints relative to the surrounding years, 2023 is not the ideal year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
66
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
182
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other22
Electrical System14
Service Brakes11
Engine10
Air Bags7
Electrical System,Engine5
Power Train5
Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V651000Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorReported 29/08/2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may…

22V878000Air Bags:Side/Window:CurtainReported 28/11/2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD3362026-06-04StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: KEY AND CYLINDER SET REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides…
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_CHA126_R22026-05-06Service BrakesTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT & BURNISHING - This bulletin has…
TSB_ELE4172026-04-14Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sportage. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Sportage have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sportage get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined mpg.