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P0303 on KIA SPORTAGE

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2005, 2017, 2018

What P0303 Means on Your KIA SPORTAGE

Real KIA SPORTAGE Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"During all of the 5 incidents in 2009 the engine misfired violently. at times 35mph was max speed. cronin kia had my vehicle over 30 days in 5 visits in 2009. they have replaced; two cat. converters, the ignition coil pack and spark plugs, a leaking fuel injector and associated wiring."

— 2005 KIA SPORTAGE owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) • Filed 03/07/2009

"Engine failed on the highway. Car is part of the class action lawsuit but dealer is refusing to replace engine for free. Asking me to pay $7k. Claiming that DTC is reading P0303."

— 2017 KIA SPORTAGE owner • ENGINE • Filed 02/03/2024

"Code P0303. Took car to dealer for diagnosis, dealer recommended long engine block replacement due to bad pistons. Kia will not replace. Car has 68K miles on it. Called Kia and they will not even do a goodwill replacement."

— 2018 KIA SPORTAGE owner • ENGINE • Filed 07/01/2024

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0303 on KIA SPORTAGE

66.7%
33.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2005
1
2017
1
2018
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0303 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026