2019 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the engine, especially oil that disappears between changes, low-oil warnings that come late or not at all, and stalling, limp mode or no-start conditions that follow. A smaller but recurring set of complaints covers the 2.4L GDI emissions software campaign, headlight beam patterns, sunroof glass shattering, and recall repairs that owners say were delayed for lack of parts.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 20 complaints (28%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe adding oil between changes, in some cases a quart or more every few hundred miles, with no visible leak under the vehicle. Several say the oil level warning comes on only once the engine is nearly dry, or not at all. Complaints describe dealers running oil consumption tests and, in some cases, declining repairs once the vehicle is out of warranty; a service bulletin covers excessive oil consumption on this engine family and an emissions service campaign updates ECM software. Reported from roughly 40,000 miles upward, though some owners mention it within the first few thousand miles after purchase.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and whether an oil consumption test was ever run, and check the dipstick level and smell after a test drive. Ask whether the Knock Sensor Detection System update or the emissions ECM campaign (SC340) has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The I started noticing my oil light was coming on after only few hundred miles. After every oil change a week or 2 later I would need oil. Took it to a several mechanics and no leaks founds they all said the GDI engines are known for consuming high amounts of oil. I called Kia and they admitted they know about the problem but will do nothing about it”

   NHTSA complaint #11664071, filed 2025-05

   “My oil consumption is approximately 1.5 quarts every 200 miles. I get my oil changed every month and every other week I need to top off. When my oil, is low there is no indication on the dash. I have to preform inspections on my car on a daily basis. Now, my car will randomly not start. I replaced the battery and changed the spark plugs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687052, filed 2025-09
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling, limp mode and no-start

   • 17 complaints (24%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off in traffic or at a stop with no warning, going into reduced-power limp mode with a flashing check engine light, and sometimes failing to restart. Owners report codes such as P1326 being stored and vehicles being towed; some say dealers could not duplicate the problem or found the engine low on oil, and a few describe engine replacement or short-block work. Spread across the range, from a few thousand miles to over 150,000 miles, and often reported alongside low oil level.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has ever been towed or gone into limp mode, and whether any diagnostic codes were stored. Confirm the oil level and ask about the knock sensor detection update before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11296813, filed 2020-01, 13,800 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11530626, filed 2023-07
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Recall repairs delayed for lack of parts

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Several owners say they received notices for the tow hitch harness recall (22V703000) or the brake hydraulic unit recall (21V137000) but were told the remedy part was not available, or that the repair was denied, and that the wait ran long. These complaints generally describe the notification and parts situation rather than a failure the owner experienced. Reported from 2021 onward, at a wide range of mileages.

   Recall 22V703000Recall 21V137000

   What to check: Check open recalls by VIN and confirm whether each remedy has actually been completed, not just that a notice was received. Ask for the repair paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 control, I would greatly appreciate some help in this matter. I reside in Clinton Township Michigan 48035. Thank you, Susan Bartle”

   NHTSA complaint #11418577, filed 2021-05

   “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 warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from under the hood. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11714237, filed 2026-01, 74,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the engine oil level, look for stored codes and any history of oil consumption testing, and confirm that open recalls were actually repaired. Maintenance records showing regular oil checks matter more than usual on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.