How the 2019 compares
One of the better Sportage years
Owners filed about 54% fewer complaints than a typical Sportage year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sportage years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Sportage. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (39, 55% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the fuel system. That ranks 11th of 13 Sportage years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 2 recalls.
Complaints71filed with NHTSA
Recalls2for this model year
Crashes34 injuries reported
Fires3reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Kia Sportage before you buy.
Engine and cooling
39 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
11 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have received a safety recall on the VIN # above a lease car and have been trying to contact 2 different KIA dealerships in my area, since receiving this recall letter, to no avail. Per the recall, this HECU may short-circuit and cause a engine compartment fire....since this seems very serious and failure to get this done is out of my…Owner complaint, filed 2021
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
7 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The brake peddle keeps jamming and sticking . The steering wheel is now very lose and a lot of play . There is a steering wheel with exclamation point flashing on the dash . When the card turns off it makes electrical noises . It is consuming oil . A pint a week . It’s been towed twice in three weeksOwner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle very briefly lost all motive power before quickly returning to normal functionality. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
7 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…Owner complaint, filed 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Body, doors and structure
5 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 74,000 miles
Air bags
3 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
[XXX], I was driving alone on [XXX] in McAllen, TX. & intersection of [XXX] St. Weather was sunny, hot, and dry. My car was 1st in middle lane, speed about 20 mph. I applied the brakes for a red traffic light. Instantly, the brakes locked and 3 air bags deployed -driver and passenger side + passenger side windows. The windshield was…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The tire suddenly exploded and the curtain air bag on the drivers side exploded too for some reason. I have a huge black eye and a concussion.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
3 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the high beam headlights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact researched and learned of an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin concerning the failure with the halogen bulbs on the 2020 Kia Telluride. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,000 miles
Driving home night 9/4/19, noticed headlights have partial obstruction with shadow on horizon making it difficult to recognize any objects in the shadow area. If you turn the car or take a bend in the road or drive down or up hill the distraction becomes a very bad problem as the shadow changes in size or moves...mostly on low beams but…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 3,369 miles
Steering
2 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The brake peddle keeps jamming and sticking . The steering wheel is now very lose and a lot of play . There is a steering wheel with exclamation point flashing on the dash . When the card turns off it makes electrical noises . It is consuming oil . A pint a week . It’s been towed twice in three weeksOwner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the electrical and mechanical systems became inoperable. The headlights, signal, and hazard lights became inoperable. The contact pulled over, placed the vehicle in park, and turned the vehicle off. After restarting the vehicle, an abnormal ticking sound was…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 75,490 miles
Driver assist systems
2 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
When cruise control is in place and you brake for traffic, to resume cruise speed if you hold the resume button for more than standard the car resets speed to 20MPH and you have no control on gas pedal. The only fix is to turn off the card and restart. We are glad to have it inspected. This item has put our lives in danger about five…Owner complaint, filed 2022
My cruise control works some times and then it doesn't. I was driving 80 mph with my cruise control on and couldn't shut it off. Finally stepping on the brake door work to shut it off. I can't see the mileage driven more than half the time, as well.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Cruise control and acceleration
2 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 kia sportage. While at a stop/stop sign on several occasions, the vehicle sputtered. The accelerator pedal was depressed in the attempt to regain speed but failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to stevenson kia of jacksonville (500 w fairway rd, jacksonville, nc 28546 (…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 2,000 miles
My cruise control works some times and then it doesn't. I was driving 80 mph with my cruise control on and couldn't shut it off. Finally stepping on the brake door work to shut it off. I can't see the mileage driven more than half the time, as well.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I keep getting low air notifications on my car. I took it in once and they found nothing wrong with my tires and sent me on my way. Well it's back again so I'm taking my car in again. This is a real pain because I work 2 jobs, 12 hours days, night shifts etc. I don't have time for this! Also my bluetooth skips and pauses a lot so I…Owner complaint, filed 2019
The tire suddenly exploded and the curtain air bag on the drivers side exploded too for some reason. I have a huge black eye and a concussion.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
1 complaintBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
Kia Sportage complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Sportage | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2019 Toyota RAV4 | Among the worst years | 7 |
| 2019 Honda CR-V | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2019 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 2 |
2019 Kia Sportage recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2019 Kia Sportage, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Trailer hitchPark outside until fixed
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2019 Kia Sportage questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Sportage?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Kia Sportage are the engine and cooling (39 complaints), the electrical system (11 complaints) and the fuel system (7 complaints).
Is the 2019 Kia Sportage a good year to buy?
One of the better Sportage years. Owners filed about 54% fewer complaints than a typical Sportage year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sportage years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Kia Sportage. The most recent, from Sep 2022, covers the trailer hitch. 2 of them tell owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Kia Sportage problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 12,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?
The Sportage years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model