2019 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 52%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the engine of the 2019 Kia Sportage, 52% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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 2025-05Related service bulletins
- 11031854Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 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…
- 11026898Dec 19, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11026533Dec 10, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025895Nov 27, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11025892Nov 21, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025859Nov 7, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11025889Nov 5, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13% |
| 2024 | 11 | 15% |
| 2023 | 38 | 20% |
| 2022 | 21 | 46% |
| 2021 | 23 | 43% |
| 2020 | 79 | 48% |
| 2019 | 37 | 52% |
| 2018 | 91 | 55% |
| 2017 | 222 | 55% |
| 2016 | 62 | 46% |
| 2015 | 84 | 58% |
| 2014 | 73 | 58% |
| 2013 | 301 | 79% |
| 2012 | 328 | 84% |
| 2011 | 77 | 43% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 13% |
| 2008 | 17 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 15 | 14% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sportage
18 complaintsElectrical system
11 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 30, 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