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Fuel systemPart report

2019 Kia Sportage Fuel system Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
10%of 71 total for the year
Median mileage
8,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2019 Kia Sportage, 10% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 1 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.

“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

“Vehicle was throwing codes P2196 O2 sensor stuck rich, P0290 post catalyst fuel trim lean, P01720 system too rich, P016B closed loop air/fuel ratio control at limit. Brought to local dealership where they did an inspection and could not find any major issue that, in their words, “would affect drivability”. Recommended I start using premium fuel and in the future consider a fuel system cleaning. 9 days later while driving my engine starting knocking, check engine light was on and flashing, then my car died. …”

NHTSA complaint #11630646, filed 2024-12

“The car continues to burn oil and have to put oil in it although not time for oil change. I took the vehicle to dealership several times because whenever I get gas it won’t let me start it right away or stutters after getting gas. Whenever the car is in park or idle it’s making a knocking noise and shaking really bad. The check engine light keeps going off and on but this most recent time it is not on. Initially i was advised they could only diagnose when check engine light on but that’s the issue because light does not stay on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11643278, filed 2025-02

“The brake peddle keeps jamming and sticking . The steering wheel is now very lose and a lot of play . There is a steering wheel with exclamation point flashing on the dash . When the card turns off it makes electrical noises . It is consuming oil . A pint a week . It’s been towed twice in three weeks”

NHTSA complaint #11699997, filed 2025-11

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026414%
202512%
202445%
2023147%
202237%
202124%
202095%
2019710%
2018117%
2017246%
201697%
201575%
201486%
201392%
201272%
2011106%
200956%
200822%
200723%
200665%
20051421%
20026729%
20016227%
20009030%
19993813%
1998248%
19971810%
199624%
199535%

Other parts of the 2019 Kia Sportage

Engine
37 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Vehicle 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 Nov 1, 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