CarBrief

NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Sportage[1]. The engine group stands out with 39 complaints[2].

71owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
21–25MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2019 Sportage is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Sportage FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 22 / 29 / 25 $2,700
Sportage FE FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 23 / 30 / 25 $2,700
Sportage FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 21 / 26 / 23 $2,900
Sportage AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] 21 / 25 / 23 $2,900
Sportage FE AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[18] 21 / 25 / 22 $3,050
Sportage AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[19] 20 / 23 / 21 $3,200

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV AWD[5] 5 4 5 4 14.7%
SUV FWD[20] 5 4 5 4 15.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2019 Kia Sportage with 2.0L 4-cylinder[21] 237 to 240 hp
2019 Kia Sportage with 2.4L 4-cylinder[22] 181 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
SPORTAGE AWD 4DR SUV[23] 176 in 73 in 65 in 105 in 3,739 lb
SPORTAGE AWD TURBO 4DR SUV[24] 176 in 73 in 65 in 105 in 3,997 lb
SPORTAGE FWD 4DR SUV[25] 176 in 73 in 65 in 105 in 3,596 lb

How 2019 compares with other years

1995: 56 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 57 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 181 complaints, 3 recalls1998: 303 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 284 complaints, 3 recalls2000: 304 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 228 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 234 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 68 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 111 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 77 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 98 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 80 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 20 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 181 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 392 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 381 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 124 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 146 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 134 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 402 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 164 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 71 complaints, 2 recalls7120192020: 162 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 54 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 46 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 308 complaints, 7 recalls2024: 107 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 73 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 38 complaints, 1 recalls2027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sportage model year. The 2019 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995562
1996573
19971813
19983033
19992843
20003042
20012280
20022341
2005683
20061111
2007772
2008983
2009803
2010202
20111816
20123925
20133813
20141243
20151462
20161342
20174024
20181643
2019712
20201622
2021542
2022461
20233087
20241073
2025731
2026381
202710

NHTSA's counts for the Sportage show 71 complaints and 2 recalls for 2019[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2019 and 22 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2017 (402)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2019 Sportage?

The 2019 Sportage has 71 complaints on file[1]. The engine group makes up the biggest share[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and counts are not adjusted for sales. The page also lists 2 recalls for this year[3]. If you are shopping for one, check that any recall work was done and ask about engine service history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Sportage?
Engine complaints are the biggest group, with 39 reports[2]. Unknown or other issues follow with 15[6], then the electrical system with 11[7].
Has the 2019 Kia Sportage been recalled?
Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for 2019[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2019 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified reports.
Is the 2019 Kia Sportage reliable?
Engine trouble is the biggest complaint group[2]. Check the recalls and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Kia Sportage?
See the fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Sportage

Compare all model years of the Kia Sportage

Other Kia models from 2019

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2019: small suvs

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Sportage (3 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 39 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Sportage model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Sportage FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 15 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 22V703, filed September 19, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 21V137, filed March 4, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Sportage FE FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Sportage FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Sportage AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Sportage FE AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Sportage AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Sportage with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 237 to 240 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Sportage with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 181 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE AWD 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,739 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE AWD TURBO 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,997 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SPORTAGE FWD 4DR SUV: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,596 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.