NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Kia Sportage Safety Ratings
The 2023 Kia Sportage scores 76 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 181 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
A park-outside recall campaign for the 2023 Kia Sportage HEV SUV AWD impacts its overall safety assessment. This, along with five other recalls, contributes to a NHTSA Safety Index of 76/100, placing the vehicle in the Average band. While its NHTSA crash-test scores are strong, a thin showing in avoidance technology prevents it from achieving a higher safety designation.
The 2023 Kia Sportage HEV SUV AWD received a five-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 76 out of 100, both derived from NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Kia Sportage ranks 122 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 76 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 181 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 122 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Kia Sportage?
The 2023 model year marks a three-point decline in the NHTSA Safety Index relative to the 2022 Sportage, which held a 79/100. The drop is traceable primarily to the defect record sub-score of 5 out of 20, reflecting the weight of six recall campaigns in a single model year, one of which carries the park-outside designation tied to the transmission idle-stop controller. The crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 is genuinely strong, supported by five-star overall, frontal, and side ratings from NHTSA. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 5 out of 10 signals that while forward collision warning and lane departure warning are standard equipment, the scoring methodology finds room for improvement in that category for this specific configuration. The 181 reported complaints, with alleged concentrations in the electrical system and engine, add texture to the defect picture without constituting confirmed failures. Taken together, the 2023 Sportage HEV is a vehicle with top-tier crash-test hardware held to an Average index band by an unusually active recall year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Kia Sportage perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Kia Sportage HEV achieved NHTSA's highest safety ratings in nearly all categories. Its overall, frontal, and side crash protection each earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. The rollover assessment presents a slightly softer result at 4 out of 5 stars, with a 17 percent measured rollover risk; however, its dynamic tip-test indicated no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17070
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. Six recall campaigns cover this model year. Components affected include the roof molding, the automatic transmission idle-stop electronic controller, the brake booster diaphragm, the instrument cluster, and the side curtain air bags. The transmission controller recall carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation, the most serious safety classification NHTSA issues.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS24V025000
Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Reported 2024-01-18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP23V531000
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
Reported 2023-07-31
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST23V410000
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
Reported 2023-06-07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL23V298000
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.
Reported 2023-04-26
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN22V878000
Risk: A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
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 customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.
Reported 2022-11-28
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR22V651000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
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 contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.
Reported 2022-08-29
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Kia Sportage?
Owners have filed 181 unverified complaints with NHTSA, alleging 24 crashes and 14 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown or Other, the Electrical System, the Engine, Service Brakes, and Forward Collision Avoidance, all unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
181 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Kia Sportage?
With six recall campaigns on record, including one park-outside directive, any shopper considering this three-year-old vehicle must run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup before purchase. Confirming that all remedies were completed by the selling dealer or previous owner is a non-negotiable step.
- The 2023 model year carries a park-outside or do-not-drive recall specifically tied to the electronic controller for the idle-stop function in the automatic transmission, a designation reserved for the most urgent safety concerns.
- The Safety Index fell three points from the 2022 Sportage's 79 to 76 this year, driven by a defect record sub-score of only 5 out of 20, reflecting the six-recall burden unique to this model year.
- Despite the recall activity, NHTSA crash-test results for this year are among the strongest in the segment: five stars overall, frontal, and side, with a 17 percent rollover risk and a passing No Tip dynamic result.
- The 181 unverified NHTSA complaints for this model year include alleged concentrations in the electrical system and forward collision avoidance, two areas worth probing during a pre-purchase inspection and VIN recall check.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Kia Sportage places
The 2023 Kia Sportage qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Kia Sportage safety questions
Was the 2023 Kia Sportage crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Kia Sportage, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 76 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Kia Sportage crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Kia Sportage earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Sportage have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Kia Sportage, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Kia Sportage?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 181 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Kia Sportage. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Sportage years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17070), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Sportage 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 122 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.