Disconnect and Reconnect the Battery

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Disconnecting the 12 V battery on a Kia Sportage Mk5 (NQ5, 2021–present) is a straightforward engine-bay job. This guide covers safe disconnection and the items the Sportage needs re-teaching afterwards — including its powered tailgate.

Where the Battery Is

The 12 V battery is in the engine bay, under a cover. (The full-hybrid and plug-in Sportage also have a high-voltage battery — workshop-only; only the engine-bay 12 V is owner-serviceable.)

Disconnecting

1. Switch the ignition off and take the smart key away from the car.
2. Loosen the negative (−, black) terminal first and lift the lead clear.
3. If removing the battery, loosen the positive (+, red) next, then the hold-down.

Airbag/pretensioner safety: if you’ll be near airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, wait 3 minutes after disconnecting before continuing.

Reconnecting & Re-teaching

1. Reconnect positive (+) first, then negative (−) last; tighten and refit the cover.
2. Reset the clock and check your driver settings.
3. Re-initialise the power windows — see our Sportage window guide.
4. Re-initialise the powered tailgate and sunroof if they stop moving fully — run each through one full open/close. (See our sunroof guide.)

Kia doesn’t require the new battery to be coded on the Sportage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which terminal first on the Sportage?

Always the negative (−) first, and reconnect it last.

Does it need the battery registered?

No — the Sportage doesn’t require battery coding. Fit it and re-teach the windows/tailgate/sunroof.

Why won’t my powered tailgate work fully after this?

It can lose its learned travel after a power cut — run it through a full open/close to re-teach it.

Is it safe on the hybrid Sportage?

Yes — the 12 V is isolated from the high-voltage system. Never touch the orange HV cables.

For any warning light that stays on, look up the code on autodtcs.com. To clear the service reminder, see our Sportage Mk5 service reset guide.