NHTSA Service Bulletin 10249938: 2023 Kia Sportage
Official manufacturer communication context for 2023 Kia Sportage, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 2.5L GDI THETA III ECU SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR ISG OPERATION LOGIC - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5) vehicles equipped with a Theta III 2.5L GDI engine, produced from December 15, 2021 through July 17, 2023 and Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles equipped with Theta III 2.5L GDI engine, produced from January 12, 2022 through July 10, 2023, due to the possibility of an intermittent restart failure in rare circumstances with Idle Stop Go (ISG) enabled. The existing logic may prevent the vehicle from restarting automatically within a short time period (0.2 second) after entering "auto stop" mode and under certain engine and ambient conditions. However, if this occurs, the engine can be restarted by the driver after placing the gear shift selector to Park (P) or Neutral (N) and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 10249938?
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 2.5L GDI THETA III ECU SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR ISG OPERATION LOGIC - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software on some 2023MY Sportage (NQ5) vehicles equipped with a Theta III 2.5L GDI engine, produced from December 15, 2021 through July 17, 2023 and Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles equipped with Theta III 2.5L GDI engine, produced from January 12, 2022.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
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