2019 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (22) · Power Train (5) · Fuel/Propulsion System (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sportage model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
23 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Trailer Hitches 2022-09-19 · campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2021-03-04 · campaign 21V137000 · 379,931 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Service bulletins (82)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Engine 2026-04-04 · SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emissions: ecm logic improvement (sc340 revision 5) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information to
Engine 2026-03-17 · SC340_OWNR_NQ5_105 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc340 flight 105) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) for certain 2017-2022 my sportag
Engine 2026-03-06 · SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions
technical service bulletin: voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emission secm logic improvement (sc340 rev 4) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin p
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Engine 2025-12-19 · SC340_OWNR_QL103 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (sc340 flight 103 / ql) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the electronic control module (ecm) for certain 2017-2022 my sp
Showing the 6 most recent of 82 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Unknown Or Other“i have a 2019 kia sportage with a conventional ignition key. three times in five years, the engine has apparently started by itself while parked. the key was not in the ignition. i stopped the engine by inserting the key, turning it on, then off. i bought the vehicle used from carmax, and i don’t know whether an aftermarket remote starter was insta…”
2026-09-13 · Engine“the car engine is losing oil without any leaks being found. i got my oil changed and was told to have it done every 3k miles. within a month of that oil change, my engine ran hot. i had all of my components checked. radiator and coolant was fine but they found that my engine was 2 qrts short of what should be in there. i told them that the oil was…”
2026-08-04 · Engine“the vehicle is have issues every time i get and oil change the vehicle loses about 2 qt of oil there are no leaks that are notice but the lost of engine oil still happens this oil could cause the engine to turn on fire it is nerve reacting to every often to check the oil level dealership are brushing this problem as they don't seem to know what is …”
2026-07-07 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle suddenly entered recall limp-mode due to the ongoing engine campaign. prior to this, the vehicle had immaculate maintenance records and zero driveability issues. the franchise dealership performed a short-block engine replacement under the safety recall, rushing the complete powertrain swap in less than a single afternoon.the dealership sub…”
2026-07-03 · Engine“the engine locked up about a year ago, and since we didn’t technically have a recall we didn’t know what to do. it was able to drive again after we had a technician work on it, but now it’s not driving anymore. it shakes hard when it’s idling and driving. we have waited over 2 weeks to be diagnosed with the problem. we have had to spend $1300 on r…”
2026-06-11 · Power Train“i did not have an incident yet. i was advised by my local state representative jimmy gordon's office. they stated were unable to help me get reimbursement for the $8000 i just paid my kia dealer, but that i should make a complaint on this website. what happened is that i was hearing an odd noise and it was slipping. i went in thinking it was my ti…”
2026-03-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the vehicle is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption. the engine was found by the dealership to be low by 3 quarts of oil after about 1000 miles during an oil consumption test, indicating abnormal oil loss. the suspected failure involves internal engine components, possibly piston rings, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn…”
2026-03-05 · Unknown Or Other“when i push on the gas pedal some times i get nothing for a short time when starting from a stop…”
2026-01-29 · Trailer Hitches · 74,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 kia sportage. the contact received notifications of nhtsa campaign numbers: 22v703000 (trail hitches) and 21v137000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the recall repair requests were denied by the manufacturer. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start as intended. no warning light …”
2026-01-15 · Unknown Or Other“i have a 2019 kia sportage with 41k miles on it and the paint is peeling. as of now, the roof spoiler is completely peeled off. the side view mirrors, and the door handles, have paint peeling and bubbling. i have reported it to kia and they are unwilling to stand by their product and extend the warranty on the paint. kia is fully aware of the probl…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.