Service Bulletin

2021-2023 Kia Sorento, Sportage GDI Injector Misfire TSB

Kia Technical Service Bulletin FUE066 (now superseded by FUE068/CA2505) details a GDI fuel injector replacement procedure for 2021-2023 Kia Sorento and Sportage vehicles experiencing engine misfires and diagnostic trouble codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304.

ByAhmet Topcu — Founder & Editor-in-ChiefAutomated summary2023 Kia Sportage
2023 Kia Sportage — Kia Sportage GDI injector misfire
Editorial illustration generated for this article.
P0300P030100P030200P030300P030400FUE066FUE068CA2505SUPERSEDED BY FUE068/CA2505Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
Kia Sorento
2021–2022

Kia Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) FUE066, dated September 2024, provided information regarding cylinder misfires in certain 2021-2023 Kia Sorento (MQ4a) and Sportage (NQ5, NQ5a) models equipped with the Theta III 2.5L GDI engine. This bulletin has since been superseded by FUE068/CA2505. The original TSB detailed a condition where GDI fuel injectors could be damaged, leading to various engine performance issues.

Symptoms of GDI Fuel Injector Misfire

Owners of affected 2021-2023 Kia Sorento and Sportage vehicles may experience several noticeable symptoms. These include the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminating on the dashboard, indicating a problem. The vehicle might also exhibit a no-start condition, general engine misfires, or reduced power, particularly when driving at highway speeds. If you notice these symptoms, your vehicle may be experiencing a GDI fuel injector misfire.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

When a GDI fuel injector misfire occurs, the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system typically stores specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). These codes help technicians identify the nature and location of the misfire. The TSB specifically lists the following codes:

DTC Description
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P030100 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P030200 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P030300 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P030400 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Why the Kia Sportage GDI Injector Misfire Occurs

The root cause identified for this issue is damage to the GDI fuel injector itself. This damage can occur due to prolonged exposure to fuel containing ethanol. The Theta III 2.5L GDI engine uses a dual fuel injection system, with both low-pressure (MPI) and high-pressure (GDI) injectors independently supplying fuel to each cylinder. When the GDI injector is compromised, it can lead to the misfire conditions and associated DTCs.

Repair Strategy

The recommended repair involves the replacement of the GDI fuel injectors. The original TSB FUE066 outlined a procedure that required following a specific flowchart. Depending on the diagnostic findings, this could involve replacing all four GDI injectors to resolve the Kia Sportage GDI injector misfire.

Important Notice for Owners

Kia issued TSB FUE066 as a field fix repair program. It is important for owners to note that this type of bulletin does not typically involve customer notification. Repairs under this program are generally performed during the vehicle's warranty period. If a dealer needs to perform this repair outside of the warranty period, they will require DPSM (Dealer Parts and Service Management) approval.

What Owners Should Do

If your 2021-2023 Kia Sorento or Sportage is exhibiting symptoms of a GDI fuel injector misfire, such as a check engine light, misfires, or reduced power, it is recommended to visit an authorized Kia dealership. They can diagnose the issue, confirm the relevant DTCs, and determine if the GDI fuel injector replacement is necessary based on the current superseded bulletin FUE068/CA2505.


Source: NHTSA ID 11019970

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kia TSB FUE066 about?
Kia TSB FUE066, now superseded by FUE068/CA2505, addressed GDI fuel injector replacement for 2021-2023 Kia Sorento and Sportage models experiencing engine misfires and related diagnostic trouble codes.
Which Kia models are affected by the GDI injector misfire issue?
The GDI injector misfire issue, as detailed in TSB FUE066, affects 2021-2022 Kia Sorento (MQ4a) and 2023 Kia Sportage (NQ5, NQ5a) vehicles equipped with the Theta III 2.5L GDI engine.
What are the common symptoms of a GDI fuel injector problem in my Kia?
Common symptoms include the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminating, a no-start condition, engine misfires, and reduced engine power, especially at highway speeds. These symptoms often indicate a Kia Sportage GDI injector misfire.
What does DTC P0300 mean for my Kia Sorento or Sportage?
DTC P0300, 'Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected,' indicates that your vehicle's engine is experiencing misfires in one or more cylinders, but the system cannot pinpoint a specific cylinder. This code is often associated with GDI fuel injector issues.
Is the repair for the Kia Sportage GDI injector misfire covered by warranty?
Repairs related to this technical service bulletin are typically performed during the vehicle's warranty period. If your vehicle is outside of warranty, the dealer will need DPSM approval to perform the repair.

Other revisions of this TSB

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System, the system this article covers, accounts for 192 of 4,907 complaints (4%), including 23 for 2023.

Complaints by model year

Model years with the most complaints for the Kia Sportage
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
2011181
2012392
2013381
2017404
2023310

Most-reported systems

  1. Engine — 1,558
  2. Electrical System — 687
  3. Service Brakes — 613
  4. Power Train — 481
  5. 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
All 2023 recalls →

Recent owner reports about fuel/propulsion system

In the newer Kia's, the gas lid is completely electronic. There is no emergency release for the gas lid. The Lee's Summit Kia dealership is claims that Kia has designed their newer cars with no emergency latch to open my gas lid so I can put gas in my car.

2023 Kia Sportage owner, Oct 2026

My 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, with only 22,000 miles, has been experiencing a recurring "Check Hybrid System Stop Safely" error, causing sudden and complete loss of acceleration while driving.

2023 Kia Sportage owner, Jan 2025
Read owner complaints →

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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