Owners have reported 3 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 KIA Sportage. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints18
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage frequently report issues with excessive engine oil consumption, often leading to the need for frequent oil top-offs between changes and, in some cases, complete engine failure. Typical symptoms include illuminated oil warning lights, engines stalling or shutting off unexpectedly, and significant engine knocking or ticking noises. These issues are commonly reported to occur between 60,000 and 160,000 miles, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 18,000 miles. Safety implications are noted in several complaints, with engines stalling suddenly in traffic and the risk of accidents due to sudden loss of power. Buyers considering a used 2019 Kia Sportage should be aware of these potential engine issues, particularly regarding oil consumption and the possibility of engine replacement.
Owner complaints10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage frequently report issues with paint peeling, particularly on the roof spoiler, side view mirrors, and door handles, with occurrences as early as 41,000 miles. Multiple complaints also describe excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles requiring up to 1.5 quarts every 200 miles, leading to engine stalling and overheating without warning lights. Additionally, there are reports of the sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by popping or cracking sounds. While no direct safety incidents like crashes or fires are reported, these issues could pose maintenance and operational challenges for potential buyers.
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with common symptoms including malfunctioning ABS and traction control warning lights, fluctuating speedometer readings, and intermittent cruise control failures. Several complaints describe incidents involving smoke or fire, with two reports specifically mentioning vehicle fires, one of which resulted in the vehicle being destroyed. Additionally, one owner reports a crash involving a deer collision where the airbags did not deploy. Issues often emerge around 46,000 miles, although some occur much earlier, as low as 3,900 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of engine compartment fires and loss of vehicle control, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage frequently report issues related to oil consumption and engine performance. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle consuming oil excessively, with one owner noting a rate of 1 quart every 361.1 miles, leading to stalling and a reluctance to drive the vehicle. Additionally, several owners mention erratic RPM behavior, including the engine revving unexpectedly and hesitation at specific speeds, particularly around 2000 RPM and highway speeds. One complaint involves a fire, highlighting a safety risk. These issues often occur without warning lights and have been challenging for dealers to diagnose, as reported by owners.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage report issues related to service brakes, with some indicating difficulties in obtaining recall repairs due to parts unavailability. Complaints frequently mention long wait times for recall parts, with no immediate failures reported in most cases. However, one owner describes a brake failure incident resulting in a crash into a building while reversing, with the vehicle deemed a total loss; this incident occurred at a low mileage of 300. The crash highlights potential safety implications, particularly for vehicles not included in recall campaigns. Buyers should be aware of these brake-related issues, especially concerning recall repair availability and potential brake pedal responsiveness problems.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage report issues with the vehicle's exterior lighting, particularly involving the headlights and rear turn signals. Complaints frequently mention that the high beam headlights fail to illuminate properly, with some owners noticing partial obstruction and shadowing issues on both low and high beams, affecting visibility, especially in hilly or winding areas. Another reported issue is with the rear turn signals, which are mounted low and recessed in the bumper, making them difficult for other drivers to see, especially when covered by snow, slush, and dirt. These lighting problems are noted at various mileages, with one owner experiencing the high beam issue at 65,000 miles. The reported issues have potential safety implications, particularly concerning visibility and signaling intentions to other drivers.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage report issues with excessive oil consumption and engine performance problems. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle requiring significant oil top-ups, with one owner noting the need for 6 quarts every 1,900 miles. Typical symptoms include engine shuddering, misfiring, and warning lights for check engine and low oil pressure. These issues often occur around 90,000 to 95,000 miles. Engine replacement is suggested by dealers due to faulty pistons, but costs are not covered if the vehicle is out of warranty. Safety implications include the engine stalling while driving, though no crashes or fires are reported.
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Kia Sportage report issues related to the steering system, often describing excessive play in the steering wheel and a flashing steering wheel icon with an exclamation point on the dashboard. Complaints frequently mention accompanying electrical malfunctions, such as inoperable headlights and signal lights, which sometimes occur at highway speeds around 45 MPH. One report highlights a vehicle with approximately 75,490 miles experiencing these issues, alongside a diagnosis of excessive tie rod play. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control due to steering looseness and electrical failures while driving. Buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly in vehicles with higher mileage.
Owner complaints2
STRUCTURE
Owners report issues with the paint on the 2019 KIA Sportage, specifically noting peeling and bubbling. Complaints frequently mention the clear coat peeling on areas such as the top of the hatchback, mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler. There is no specific mileage range provided, but one owner mentions noticing the issue recently as of September 2025. No safety implications such as crashes or loss of control are reported in relation to these paint problems. Buyers considering a used 2019 KIA Sportage may want to inspect the vehicle's exterior for paint condition, especially in the mentioned areas.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 KIA Sportage report issues with the air bags, particularly highlighting unexpected deployment. In one instance, a driver describes the air bags deploying during a low-speed incident, leading to a crash and resulting in two injuries, including skin lacerations. Another complaint involves a spontaneous tire explosion followed by the deployment of the curtain air bag, causing a concussion and a black eye. These incidents suggest potential safety risks, including loss of vehicle control and personal injury. No specific mileage or timeline patterns emerge from the complaints, but the described symptoms indicate significant safety implications for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
