2023 Kia Sportage Emissions Campaign: Center Muffler Replacement
Kia is initiating a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC239) for certain 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.5L GDI engines. This campaign addresses center mufflers that may not meet U.S. EPA regulations, potentially causing excess air pollutants.

Kia America, Inc. has announced a Kia Sportage emissions campaign, identified as Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC239, for specific 2023 model year Sportage vehicles. This campaign focuses on models equipped with 2.5L GDI engines.
Why This Matters
Kia has identified that some affected vehicles may have been equipped with a center muffler that does not comply with U.S. EPA regulations. This non-compliant component could lead to the vehicle releasing air pollutants that exceed Federal and California emissions standards. These standards are in place to safeguard public health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.
What's Being Addressed
This Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC239) targets the center muffler in certain 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles. The issue is specifically with the muffler's specification, which may not meet the required U.S. environmental regulations for exhaust emissions.
What Kia Will Do
Authorized Kia dealers will inspect the center muffler on affected 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles. If the inspection determines that the center muffler does not meet U.S. regulations, it will be replaced. This inspection and any necessary replacement will be performed at no cost to the owner.
What Owners Should Do
Owners of affected 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles should contact an authorized Kia dealership to schedule a service appointment for the Kia Sportage emissions campaign. The inspection and potential replacement typically take less than an hour, though service time may vary based on the dealer's schedule. Scheduling an appointment in advance is recommended to minimize inconvenience. Completing this repair ensures your vehicle's full protection under the emissions warranty.
Important Warnings and Information
- Vehicle Registration Impact: For owners in California and other states that have adopted California emissions regulations (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Washington), this emissions-related campaign must be completed before annual vehicle registration renewal. Failure to do so may prevent you from completing your vehicle registration and obtaining license tags.
- Proof of Correction Certificate: After the repair is completed, your Kia dealer will provide a "Proof of Correction Certificate." This certificate may be requested by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Administration, Motor Vehicle Commission, or Department of Licensing during your next vehicle registration. It should be kept with your vehicle records.
- Vehicle Lessors: If you are the lessor and registered owner of an affected vehicle, you are required to forward this letter via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt.
- Address Changes: If you have changed your home address, sold your Kia vehicle, or no longer own your vehicle, please complete the attached prepaid "Change of Address/Ownership" card and mail it to Kia.
For additional information or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.kia.com and use the "Find Dealer" button. If you have further questions regarding this Kia Sportage emissions campaign or if your dealer does not respond in a timely manner, you can contact Kia's Customer Care Center at 1-800-333-4542 (Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time), or through the owner's section of www.kia.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Kia Sportage emissions campaign SC239?
- The Kia Sportage emissions campaign (SC239) aims to address a potential issue with the center muffler in certain 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.5L GDI engines. The muffler may not meet U.S. EPA regulations, leading to excess air pollutants.
- Will I have to pay for the center muffler replacement under campaign SC239?
- No, if your vehicle is found to have a non-compliant center muffler under campaign SC239, the inspection and any necessary replacement will be performed by an authorized Kia dealer at no cost to you.
- What should I do if I own a 2023 Kia Sportage affected by this emissions campaign?
- You should contact an authorized Kia dealership to schedule a service appointment for the center muffler inspection and potential replacement. This ensures your vehicle complies with emissions standards and maintains its warranty.
- What are the potential consequences if I don't get this emissions repair done?
- For owners in California and other states with similar emissions regulations, failure to complete this repair may prevent you from completing your annual vehicle registration and obtaining license tags.
What Kia Sportage owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 32 model years.
- 4,907
- Owner complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 679
- Service bulletins
- 322
- Crashes reported
- 208
- Fires reported
- 274
- Injuries reported
The 2023 model year
310 complaints, the 4th most of 32 model years on file. Owners reported 28 crashes, 1 fire and 18 injuries for this year, which also has 7 recalls on file.
Power Train and Engine And Engine Cooling, the system this article covers, accounts for 898 of 4,907 complaints (18%), including 41 for 2023.
Complaints by model year
| 1998 | 303 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 284 | |
| 2000 | 304 | |
| 2001 | 228 | |
| 2002 | 234 | |
| 2011 | 181 | |
| 2012 | 392 | |
| 2013 | 381 | |
| 2017 | 404 | |
| 2023 | 310 |
Most-reported systems
- Engine — 1,558
- Electrical System — 687
- Service Brakes — 613
- Power Train — 481
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 477
Latest recalls for the 2023 model year
- 25V874000 — Trailer Hitches (Dec 2025)
- 24V025000 — Structure (Jan 2024)
- 23V531000 — Power Train (Jul 2023) — Park outside
Recent owner reports about power train and engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral and failed to properly shift into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
Read owner complaints →When driving at speeds slightly above 50 mph between 1,700 and 1,900 RPM, maintaining light pressure on the accelerator pedal causes a noticeable physical vibration and shaking throughout both the pedal and the vehicle.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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