Sportage 2023 PHEV inactivity battery shutdown

D

David Burya

New member
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I use my Sportage 2023 PHEV in the summer every day. in the other 9 months it is in a garage with no charging and generally it sits about 4 weeks without use most months.

Yesterday for the first time I went to get my car and had to remove the driver key cover to get into the car, it was fully deactivated. the key FOB didn't work, and the phone app was not connected. I basically had to break into my own car and even then nothing responded, it was fully black. I ended up popping the the hood and jump starting the car.

TO BE CLEAR: the batteries were both fully charged, the software just shut down the car to avoid a discharge and the jump just reset the system.

The manual says there is a 12V reset button, but on our model, it is the gas filler release. Does this double for the 12V reset when the software shuts the car down?

How do I get around this whole problem and not have to use the mechanical lock and key each time I go through this? There must be a method from the outside without basically breaking into my car each time?

I need an external way to reset the 12V system to force the computer to restart or connect again. This logic disconnects the APP and the key FOB device and removing the driver door cover each time and jump starting the computer under the hood is the last resort. I can lock and unlock the doors remotely with the APP daily, but this is a bandaid just to keep the system active.
 
David- My 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is in the shop for the same issue. Unlike you, I drive my car pretty much every day. They did state that they see a parasitic battery drain. When roadside assistance came out, they told me this was the 6th year, make model that they have towed this month. I am still waiting for the definitive resolution, but you may want to talk to your dealership. I think this is a larger issue than your non use.
 
G-193786 said:
David- My 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is in the shop for the same issue. Unlike you, I drive my car pretty much every day. They did state that they see a parasitic battery drain. When roadside assistance came out, they told me this was the 6th year, make model that they have towed this month. I am still waiting for the definitive resolution, but you may want to talk to your dealership. I think this is a larger issue than your non use.
Click to expand...
The funny thing is when I went to the garage I tried to use the key fob it didn’t work, and then I had the idea of using a Kia app. The app sent a message which I wish I would’ve copied to share what it said, after a duration of an activity like my car sitting for a week it would disconnect all systems and I’d have to restart the car manually. When I was able to reactivate the system, all the batteries were in peak condition 14 kW everything. The batteries were fine. This was just a software protocol in my case that disconnected everything and the whole system went black. My current approach is to lock and unlock the car remotely with my app every day as well as when I park the car, I pop the hood and lock the car and put a cover over it in the garage and if there is an issue, I borrow the battery pack, jump, starter from the front desk and do the same thing without having to break into my car.

This whole issue could be avoided by some alert in the app or something to not have the cargo dead. I have even thought about a battery type plug-in had that would maintain connection with the computer to make it think that was being constantly connected for charging, even though I have no power in the garage.

If there’s anything I can help you with or diagnostics that you might want to share I would really like to get to the bottom of this and locking and unlocking my car every day to fake the software into believing the car is active and not being deactivated is kind of bad.
 
Here is the error on the app this morning after one week of sitting and not starting.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3263.webp
    IMG_3263.webp
    42.8 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_3264.webp
    IMG_3264.webp
    45.4 KB · Views: 11
I have a 2023 KIA Sportage PHEV. 4500 miles; 3 days ago the car was black, dead, no response at all. No luck from KIA assistance so we called AAA. Jump started using special gear; battery was fully charged. Drove it around the block. Now 2 days later; opened hatch to put in supplies. Got in driver’s seat to find car again dead, everything black. Driver’s door could open but hatch and all other doors locked tight. KIA Assistance at first told me I had no coverage. I will try AAA again tomorrow and hope to get car to dealer 100 miles away. They ‘might’ have loaner for me. I have loved this car and am dismayed but cannot have a vehicle this undepenable. KIA wake-up; what’s happening?
 
Yes, I have remotely started my car several times last week hoping this would satisfy the inactivity thing, but this morning I got the same lack of response on the app. I will have to go over and start it today to avoid going black. It seems after a week this happens and after 4 weeks, the whole car goes dark and does not respond to the key fab, so I must remove the driver side key slot cover to use the manual key to get in, pop the hood and then use a jump start battery to reset the 12V system. On the hybrid alone model, there is a 12V reset button, but we have a gas release button instead. One question for you, the next time the car goes black inside, try pushing the gas door release to see if KIA was smart enough to give this button a dual function (e.g. when the car goes into this mode, the button functions as 12V reset then returns to the gas release function during normal operation). I’d love to know if this works so I don’t have to buy a battery jump starter back-up. I even tried leaving my hood popped under the car cover so if it happened again and the fob did not work, at least I could jumpstart the car without getting inside, but then it disables the app functions, however, I may still do this since the app remote start does not satisfy the activity needed to stay powered and ultimately, at least I can jump start the car from the outside with out breaking in to my own car with a physical key. It does set off the alarm, so have your key fob handy. The last time I jump reset the 12V system the car door was open, so I hope the fob works if I need to get in to start the car and turn off the alarm.

Again, a bad form for KIA not to be responsive and fix this software issue to not disable customers and send them to dealerships for no reason, they can apply a software update remotely, and they did during last summer.

Here is some information from KIA technical, but I don’t know if it helps us, but maybe others on the list?

Kia Global Information System (KGIS)

kiatechinfo.snapon.com kiatechinfo.snapon.com


Tell me if that gas door release/12V reset works?
 
Libby said:
I have a 2023 KIA Sportage PHEV. 4500 miles; 3 days ago the car was black, dead, no response at all. No luck from KIA assistance so we called AAA. Jump started using special gear; battery was fully charged. Drove it around the block. Now 2 days later; opened hatch to put in supplies. Got in driver’s seat to find car again dead, everything black. Driver’s door could open but hatch and all other doors locked tight. KIA Assistance at first told me I had no coverage. I will try AAA again tomorrow and hope to get car to dealer 100 miles away. They ‘might’ have loaner for me. I have loved this car and am dismayed but cannot have a vehicle this undepenable. KIA wake-up; what’s happening?
Click to expand...
Curious if you solved your problem?
 
I have a 2023 KIA sportage PHEV with 3900 mile. 4 day ago it when dark. FOB would not open the vehicle, it wouldn’t respond to anything i did. I had to leave for an appointment and I came back 3 hours late and was able to open the doors with the FOB But the car was still dead. Call kia roadside and they sent a tow truck. When they got here and because the doors were open, he was able to pop the hood. He put a jump on it and the car started right up And started right up every time after that. I still had the tow it to the deal ship because I wanted to know what caused the issue. In the four days they have had the car, the only thing they have done is make sure it’s is keeping its charge, which it is. So for two night straight they were able to get back into the car without any issues and now they want to to pick it up! So they really didn‘t have fix anything. They also told me to delete the Kia connect app because they have had a few case were it’s been hacked cause a drain on the battery. The only fix they suggest is replacement of the battery but Kia has to approve it and with no signs of any issues now they can’t/won’t This may wind up being a battle with KIA. I’m not convinced the problem fixed completely but at least I know how to fix it with a jump, which does the reset. I keep my car fully charged when I have it home and use it everyda, we’ll see what happens next.
 
There’s a 12V battery under the cargo floor in the PHEV. No jump start button like in the HEV that uses the big hybrid traction battery, instead. So your 12V battery can be run down by all the tech - proximity sensors, KIA Connect cell phone modem, etc. And it’s completely separate from the traction battery that can still be fully charged when this happens. I believe there is a 12V system disconnect in the engine bay to shut down the battery for long term storage. Check your manual. That way you don’t have to root around in the cargo floor where the battery is to disconnect it.
 
Comus said:
I have a 2023 KIA sportage PHEV with 3900 mile. 4 day ago it when dark. FOB would not open the vehicle, it wouldn’t respond to anything i did. I had to leave for an appointment and I came back 3 hours late and was able to open the doors with the FOB But the car was still dead. Call kia roadside and they sent a tow truck. When they got here and because the doors were open, he was able to pop the hood. He put a jump on it and the car started right up And started right up every time after that. I still had the tow it to the deal ship because I wanted to know what caused the issue. In the four days they have had the car, the only thing they have done is make sure it’s is keeping its charge, which it is. So for two night straight they were able to get back into the car without any issues and now they want to to pick it up! So they really didn‘t have fix anything. They also told me to delete the Kia connect app because they have had a few case were it’s been hacked cause a drain on the battery. The only fix they suggest is replacement of the battery but Kia has to approve it and with no signs of any issues now they can’t/won’t This may wind up being a battle with KIA. I’m not convinced the problem fixed completely but at least I know how to fix it with a jump, which does the reset. I keep my car fully charged when I have it home and use it everyda, we’ll see what happens next.
Click to expand...
Hi,
Could you please elabrote the fix or workaround to solve the issue?
 
Libby said:
I have a 2023 KIA Sportage PHEV. 4500 miles; 3 days ago the car was black, dead, no response at all. No luck from KIA assistance so we called AAA. Jump started using special gear; battery was fully charged. Drove it around the block. Now 2 days later; opened hatch to put in supplies. Got in driver’s seat to find car again dead, everything black. Driver’s door could open but hatch and all other doors locked tight. KIA Assistance at first told me I had no coverage. I will try AAA again tomorrow and hope to get car to dealer 100 miles away. They ‘might’ have loaner for me. I have loved this car and am dismayed but cannot have a vehicle this undepenable. KIA wake-up; what’s happening?
Click to expand...
I also have a '23 Sportage phev, 12,000 km. I went to unlock the doors a few days ago and nothing. Had to use the key to get in and pop the hood. For all intents and purposes, the car was a brick, absolutely no activity at all. I removed the fuse cover where the 12v post is located and measured 4 volts. The car was locked overnight so I'm assuming no parasitic drain. Had it towed in to the dealership and they just came back saying defective battery, will replace on the warranty. I've never seen a battery die after only 10 months. I'm going to invest in a portable charger, just in case! Happy motoring! P.S. love the phev.
 
Robert D. said:
I also have a '23 Sportage phev, 12,000 km. I went to unlock the doors a few days ago and nothing. Had to use the key to get in and pop the hood. For all intents and purposes, the car was a brick, absolutely no activity at all. I removed the fuse cover where the 12v post is located and measured 4 volts. The car was locked overnight so I'm assuming no parasitic drain. Had it towed in to the dealership and they just came back saying defective battery, will replace on the warranty. I've never seen a battery die after only 10 months. I'm going to invest in a portable charger, just in case! Happy motoring! P.S. love the phev.
Click to expand...
You haven't read any of the EV6 forums then... A lot of the 12V batteries failing within the first year. I'll be replacing mine in the EV6 and the Sportage PHEV with an aftermarket AGM. Even under warranty, don't want to have to go through this every year. Kia isn't the only one going cheap on the batteries, my Mustang's battery lasted a year also.
 
ucinn35 said:
You haven't read any of the EV6 forums then... A lot of the 12V batteries failing within the first year. I'll be replacing mine in the EV6 and the Sportage PHEV with an aftermarket AGM. Even under warranty, don't want to have to go through this every year. Kia isn't the only one going cheap on the batteries, my Mustang's battery lasted a year also.
Click to expand...
Since I don't have an EV6, I haven't read up on it but this seems to be a problem that Kia should address. Thanks for the information though and I'll definitely consider an after market!
 
I seem to also be having this issue with a 2023 Sportage PHEV, about 22,000 miles. 12V battery died over night twice this week. Going to a dealer, any recommendations to direct the conversation so I don't get blown off?
 
Since your car is still under warranty, they should replace the battery for free. Unfortunately, they have to replace with a KIA battery. I bought a portable booster that I now keep in the car since I travel a bit away from home and don't want to be stranded.
 
I am having the almost identical but worse issue in my 2024 Phev. Last drove it 2 days ago. Under 5k miles.

I tried to start the car, the car started with the typical EV sound but all the lights were on and the dash screamed Check Break System. It was orange / red big words across the dash. The car then would not respond and turned black and was just off. I recall the car making sounds similar to trying to enagage the parking break several times.

At this point, the car seem to be completely dead. Nothing in the car or remotes were responding. I have a nico battery jumper and it was my first time doing it in this car/hybrid system and I wasn’t sure how to.

I found the positive contact within the fuse box and tried several ground screws initially and it didnt work. 2 hrs later I found my volt meter to locate a better point of contact. At this point, it reads 5V.

I tried again with the NICO battery jumper and it detected the battery this time. For some odd reason, the car started itself without anyone in the driver seat. Fan running, engine was running, etc. It is as if the car “resumed” from its last state. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS/CATASTROPIC, had the car been in gear, it wouldve droven off by itself ……

I drove it to the local KIA dealership, explained the problem. Was told it’s already 4 PM so I decided to bring it home and take the car back tomorrow morning. The car seem to start fine now ……

With that said, I also unplugged the dealership gps tracking thats attached to the ODIN after the car died just in case that is draining my battery.
 
Yes, I noticed finding a ground not easy, small bolts from the shocks. Strange that the car would automatically start with the boost. Hopefully the dealership replaces the battery.
 
Update to my post, KIA replaced my battery but mentioned that the next battery replacement will be out of pocket even if it is within the warranty period. It is a one time use situation. Does anyone know if the phev battery is supposed to top off the 12v when low ?
 
David Burya said:
The funny thing is when I went to the garage I tried to use the key fob it didn’t work, and then I had the idea of using a Kia app. The app sent a message which I wish I would’ve copied to share what it said, after a duration of an activity like my car sitting for a week it would disconnect all systems and I’d have to restart the car manually. When I was able to reactivate the system, all the batteries were in peak condition 14 kW everything. The batteries were fine. This was just a software protocol in my case that disconnected everything and the whole system went black. My current approach is to lock and unlock the car remotely with my app every day as well as when I park the car, I pop the hood and lock the car and put a cover over it in the garage and if there is an issue, I borrow the battery pack, jump, starter from the front desk and do the same thing without having to break into my car.

This whole issue could be avoided by some alert in the app or something to not have the cargo dead. I have even thought about a battery type plug-in had that would maintain connection with the computer to make it think that was being constantly connected for charging, even though I have no power in the garage.

If there’s anything I can help you with or diagnostics that you might want to share I would really like to get to the bottom of this and locking and unlocking my car every day to fake the software into believing the car is active and not being deactivated is kind of bad.
Click to expand...
You could use a solar trickle charger for the battery perhaps when leaving the car for months?
 
Back
Top