Home · 2019 Kia Sportage Phev · Complaints

What 68 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Sportage 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)

3 of 68 complaints match · Airbags · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

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

Feb 22, 2023AirbagsWheels2 injuries

The tire suddenly exploded and the curtain air bag on the drivers side exploded too for some reason. I have a huge black eye and a concussion.

NHTSA ODI 11508465

Jul 8, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsCrash

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 ODI 11230258

Working with the data? Download all 68 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 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 verdict →