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What 68 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Sportage Phev Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (68)Crash / fire / injury (7)Engine (34)Electrical system (10)Brakes (7)Fuel system (7)Transmission & drivetrain (7)Airbags (3)Lights (3)Trailer Hitches (3)Body & structure (2)Driver assistance (2)

7 of 68 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Jan 29, 2026BrakesTrailer Hitches

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. After restarting the vehicle, there was a burning odor coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained, and the contact was advised that a recall warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the costs. In addition, the contact stated that the recall was initiated prior to owning the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11714237

Nov 17, 2025SteeringBrakesFuel system

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 ODI 11699997

Sep 9, 2024Electrical systemBrakes

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and Hill Descent Assist message was displayed. The contact also stated that while in park(P), the speedometer intermittently fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the wheel speed sensor and the rear engine bearings were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,206.

NHTSA ODI 11613478

Jul 20, 2023AirbagsBrakesCrash2 injuries

[XXX], I was driving alone on [XXX] in McAllen, TX. & intersection of [XXX] St. Weather was sunny, hot, and dry. My car was 1st in middle lane, speed about 20 mph. I applied the brakes for a red traffic light. Instantly, the brakes locked and 3 air bags deployed -driver and passenger side + passenger side windows. The windshield was blocked but it seemed like the car swerved slowly, about 10-15 mph, to the right. My car sideswiped the Chevy Equinox stopped at red light in right lane. The car behind me, Toyota Corolla, hit my rear end. I didn't hear or feel either of these crashes. McAllen PD arrived and called a wrecker and ambulance for me. The airbag peeled back layers of skin on my right forearm which was bleeding profusely. Lone Star EMS #[XXX] ambulance took me to South Texas Health System ER on Ware Rd., arriving at 4:50 p.m. I didn't see the two other cars until I was on the gurney in the ambulance. Police report - wrecker and ambulance were called for driver of Toyota. The ER doctor treated 3 wounds and released me. The Police Report does not cite defective brakes and deployed air bags as cause of wreck. Also, Bert Ogden KIA in Mission where I bought the car denied any responsibility. Manager said, "Not my problem. Call Kia." I filed a complaint with KIA consumer affairs re: defective brakes and air bags, case #[XXX]. Geico declared Total Loss & sent settlement check. Geico claim #: [XXX]. Geico adjuster: Peter Valdivia, COPART Mercedes, in Mercedes, TX. Phone:281-939-2879. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11533483

Jun 28, 2021Brakes

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11422708

May 20, 2021Brakes

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11417966

Oct 16, 2018BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING. THE AIRS BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER (FUCCILLO KIA, 3900 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, (518)-847-0800) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCULED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ODI 11140692

Working with the data? Download all 68 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Kia Sportage Phev Phev verdict →