NHTSA has received 69 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Sportage, or 9.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.21, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #15 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 75% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 86% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-10-16 and 2026-08-04. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
69Complaints
9.0Complaints per year on the road
0.21Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 2
8.7%Share involving a crash or fire
18Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 18.7 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 23.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 13 complaints, 84% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (53.6% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (13.0%) and Brakes (8.7%). Engine complaints are 2.4 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “engine”, “consumption”, “change” and “quarts”. 6 reports (8.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 60 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (51% of incidents). In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 12% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.21
vs. other Kia models0.25
vs. other 2019 models0.2
vs. other Compact SUVs0.14
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (13)0.16
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and smoke started emitting smoke from the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were reported.
Engine · 2024-09-30 · ODI 11617339 · Fire
the continued to over heat smoke and has burning smell and seat belt stop tracting and retracting
Engine · 2023-08-05 · ODI 11536626 · Fire
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.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748827
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-11 · ODI 11743447
When I push on the gas pedal some times I get nothing for a short time when starting from a stop
Interior & equipment · 2026-03-05 · ODI 11722182
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
AQ23002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Opened 2023-11-17 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect…
Loss of Motive PowerClosed
DP22003 · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Kia Sportage?
69 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Sportage, or about 9.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Kia Sportage?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 53.6% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Is the 2019 Kia Sportage still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2019 Kia Sportage compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 69 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Sportage, or 9.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.21, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #15 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 75% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 86% lower.