2019 Kia Sportage Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2019 Kia Sportage, 15% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11230258, filed 2019-07, 11,100 miles“In august of last year I bought a 2019 Kia Sportage ex from smithtown Kia in ny. On july 12, 2020 I was driving with my daughter when the car just stopped without any warning. It was a very scary experience as cars were all around me. Luckily, I was on a side street and not on a main road or highway! When I preceded to start the car up again there was a terrible odor that smelled like gas and a burning smell. At that point, I called my husband who got a tow truck for us. The next day, the service department told me the code to inform them what was wrong with the vehicle disappeared. …”
NHTSA complaint #11339961, filed 2020-07, 12,000 miles“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-black. It quickly started coming in they the vents. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265476, filed 2019-10, 3,999 miles“I have a 2019 Kia Sportage with a conventional ignition key. Three times in five years, the engine has apparently started by itself while parked. The key was not in the ignition. I stopped the engine by inserting the key, turning it ON, then OFF. I bought the vehicle used from CarMax, and I don’t know whether an aftermarket remote starter was installed.”
NHTSA complaint #11772251, filed 2026-10“My cruise control works some times and then it doesn't. I was driving 80 mph with my cruise control on and couldn't shut it off. Finally stepping on the brake door work to shut it off. I can't see the mileage driven more than half the time, as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11538074, filed 2023-08Related service bulletins
- 11030391Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 105) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11001593Jun 6, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGREADE $ DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2302) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10240563Aug 7, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin has been revised to…
- 10240241Jul 31, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 15 | 27% |
| 2024 | 16 | 21% |
| 2023 | 46 | 24% |
| 2022 | 8 | 17% |
| 2021 | 6 | 11% |
| 2020 | 20 | 12% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 30 | 18% |
| 2017 | 63 | 16% |
| 2016 | 17 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 | 22 | 6% |
| 2012 | 29 | 7% |
| 2011 | 38 | 21% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 23% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 13 | 17% |
| 2006 | 22 | 20% |
| 2005 | 8 | 12% |
| 2002 | 16 | 7% |
| 2001 | 23 | 10% |
| 2000 | 32 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 14% |
| 1998 | 47 | 16% |
| 1997 | 21 | 12% |
| 1996 | 7 | 12% |
| 1995 | 8 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sportage
37 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology