2019 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

PURCHASED CAR ON JULY 28 2019 FROM HOLLYWOOD KIA. TOOK IT TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER ON NOVEMBER 26 FOR COMPLIMENTARY OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. ON DECEMBER 5 ON THE I-75 EXPRESSWAY GOT AN ALARM SOUND AND SIGN THAT THE "ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED". MANAGED TO GET HOME, NEXT DAY WAITED ALL DAY FOR TOWING COMPANY. EITHER CAR IS DEFECTIVE OR THE SERVICE THEY DID CAUSED THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11157109 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

IN THE RANGE OF 1200-1500 RPM AND SPEEDS IN THE 40 MPH RANGE THERE IS A VIBRATION AND HESITATION ESPECIALLY ON ANY DEGREE OF INCLINE. MORE SERIOUSLY, THE PROBLEM REPEATS AT 2000 RMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FROM 65 MPH UPWARDS. THERE IS A VIBRATION AND SERIOUS LACK OF RESPONSE TO INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS WORSE ON ANY INCLINE BUT HAPPENS ON LEVEL ROAD AS WELL. THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND TO TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED UNLESS I REALLY PUSH HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN IT IS STILL SLOW TO RESPOND. THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE GETTING W…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11229476 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 IS ALSO ON HIGH BEAMS BUT NOT AS NOTICEABLE....LIVE AND DRIVE IN THE NE GEORGIA MOUNTAINS, HAZARD IN DAYTIME AND MORE AT NIGHT..CALLED KIA NEXT AM, CAR SEEN DEALERSHIP 9/9/2019..ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS...9/13/2019 …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,369 miles reported. Look up ODI 11257846 at NHTSA ↗

MY KIA SPORTAGE 2019 CAUGHT FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY IN NEW MARKET MD AT AROUND 10:30 AM 9/26/19. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT BACK IN 12/2019. IT HAD ONLY 3900+/- MILES ON IT. THE OIL, FILTER, TIRE ROTATION AND 27 POINT INSPECTION WAS DONE ON 9/19/19. AS I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF RTE 70 WB I NOTICED BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND SIGNALED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND WAS QUITE HYSTERICAL BECAUSE NOW THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMOKING A BROWNISH…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 11265476 at NHTSA ↗

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 ALWAYS HAVE TO PLUG IN MY PHONE TO USE IT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11279447 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)

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.

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.