2019 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 69 complaints (50.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 15.9% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 14.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 35 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Engine: 35; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 7; Air Bags: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2018: 2; 2019: 6; 2020: 5; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 10; 2024: 11; 2025: 16; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11140692 · 2018-10-16 (October 16, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING. THE AIRS BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER (FUCCILLO KIA, 3900 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCULED IN ANY RECALLS.…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11185704 · 2019-03-10 (March 10, 2019)
REAR TURN SIGNALS OF THE VEHICLE ARE BELOW THE LOWEST POINT OF THE LIFT GATE, ARE MOUNTED INSIDE THE BUMPER, AND ARE RECESSED IN THE BUMPER. WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE USED, ONLY THE TURN BLINKERS IN THE BUMPER BLINK WHILE THE TRADITIONAL REAR BRAKE LAMPS ARE SOLID AND DO NOT INDICATE A TURN. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE TOO LOW FOR FOLLOWING VEHICLES TO SEE AND BECAUSE THEY ARE RECESSED, THE HOUSING GETS PACKED WITH SNOW, SLUSH AND DIRT, MAKING THE ACTIVATED SIGNALS INDISTINGUISHABLE. ALL 2019 KIA SPORTAGES HAVE THIS POORLY ENGINEERED FEATURE, WHICH MAY BE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11185704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457313 · 2022-03-18 (March 18, 2022)
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 times as we were using cruise on the highway traveling 65 plus mph and cars were coming upon us. We reported the issue back in March 2021 and several more times back into a KIA dealership. It took month…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530626 · 2023-07-06 (July 6, 2023)
My vehicle keeps stalling and its been having an oil consumption problem for several months. I keep taking it to kia, they keep doing oil consumption tests. I'm afraid to drive my vehicle anymore. I had an oil change done one month 3k miles later she was out of oil.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11230258 · 2019-07-08 (July 8, 2019)
I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A DEER. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55MPH WHEN I HIT THE DEER SQUARE ON AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO EVERY TIME I WASH MY CAR SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOP WORKING FOR A FEW DAYS SUCH AS THE CLOCK. I HAVE TALKED TO KIA DEALERSHIP NEAR ME AND THEY CAN NOT EXPLAIN THE ISSUE OVER THE ELECTRICAL STUFF. ALSO THEY STATED I COULD START A CASE WITH THEM OVER THE AIRBAGS
Owner-reported narrative. 11,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11230258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422518 · 2021-06-27 (June 27, 2021)
When you put the car in gear, the car rolls backward in drive. The engine light, oil light and battery light are on the dashboard.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11296813 · 2020-01-03 (January 3, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, I'VE CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE CAR RANDOMLY REVVING BETWEEN 3000 AND 4000 RPMS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON REGULAR ROADS. IT WILL GET STUCK AT 2000 RPMS AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE NO MATTER HOW HARD THE GAS/BRAKE IS PRESSED. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM TWICE NOW, AND BOTH TIMES THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, NO CODES OR ANYTHING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN A CAR I'M PAYING $402 A MONTH FOR. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE IN ATLAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743447 · 2026-06-11 (June 11, 2026)
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 tires and it needed alignment- so I had them replaced , etc in April. But the sound was still there so I went back in . Then the Kia St Cloud dealer diagnosed that the AWD transfer case was the cause (p…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699997 · 2025-11-17 (November 17, 2025)
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 weeks
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699997 at NHTSA ↗