2022 Kia Sportage Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Customers know there’s no reason to spend a lot of money on new SUVs when there are models such as the 2022 Kia Sportage on the market. This particular model is set to provide a fun drive with the automaker claiming “ready, set, adventure.” However, today’s drivers are finding faults with the air bags, a defective electrical system and poorly-made structure.

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Problems with the Air Bags

When an accident occurs, the air bags are the main way to ensure protection. These systems have been around for decades, but Kia can’t seem to figure them out.

One NHTSA complaint points out, “I was involved in a highway forward collision accident and the emergency braking, alert, and air bags never went off.”

Of course, Kia has nothing to say about the air bag system, but does talk about how the front view camera might need to be replaced. For many of the advanced safety systems to work, this technology must be running its best, but the Sportage can’t guarantee that. Instead, customers are left barreling down the highway in a cabin of danger.

Problems with the Electrical System

The modern electrical system should have all of the latest technologies and they should work together seamlessly.

According to this Edmunds review, that’s simply not the case. “It didn’t come with Sirius XM like my last car. Having trouble connecting it through my phone.”

With the chip shortage, many automakers have been forced to cut corners, but connecting a phone to the system shouldn’t be missing. This simple technology is considered basic on even the cheapest cars these days. No one is looking to go old-school, especially in a vehicle that claims it is ready for an adventure. The only adventure found in the Sportage is trying to figure out how to utilize old technology once again. Maybe everyone should go back to corded car phones too?

Problems with the Vehicle Structure

While the 2022 Kia Sportage doesn’t have the price tag of a luxury car, no one expected it to be built so cheaply.

One final Edmunds review states, “The windshield washer was faulty the day I drove it off the lot. It sprayed the entire car, including the roof, front to rear, along with the side doors and windows. I was told it couldn’t be fixed, even though it’s under warranty. Then I was told the over spray was characteristic of the car, along with the fact that the sprayer “functioned as designed.”  No one would admit that this was a flaw. No one wants to be upfront and honest. As I try to get answers, the diversion tactics used by Kia have been incredible:  phone calls from Kia, no message left… messages left with no return number left to call. I have owned 4 Kias but will never buy another one. This has been very frustrating. I just wish someone from Kia would be upfront and honest. No one wants to admit there is flaw in the design of this system. Kia personnel do not want to take ownership of the issue. Don’t buy this car or any other Kia if you want honest answers Kia USA.”

Kia is also jumping on issues with wind noise, as outlined in Service Bulletin #PS699 for the 2022 Kia Sportage. It appears that customers are dealing with excessive noise when traveling between 40 and 60 mph. However, the automaker isn’t sure where it is coming from yet, providing a long list of places for technicians to examine. Among this list, the automaker instructs them to look at the roof accessories, sunroof, windshield, outside mirrors, trim, moldings, bumpers and body panels to determine what’s causing the noise. Are there that many pieces that could be defective? At this point, it might make more sense to rebuild the entire vehicle.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work aid your lemon at no cost to you. The law makes Kia pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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