2019 Kia Sportage: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

The 2019 Kia Sportage's public record includes two recall campaigns. One, 21V137000, covers the service brakes, hydraulic system and cites an engine compartment fire risk; the other, 22V703000, concerns trailer hitches and also references a fire risk while parked or driving. Beyond the recalls, an open investigation, AQ23002, is examining service brakes on this model year — an open investigation means regulators are asking a question, not that they have reached a conclusion. A second investigation, DP22003, touching the engine, has been closed. Complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year total 69, with engine-related reports the largest single category at 27, followed by a general "other" category at 15 and electrical complaints at 9. These figures describe how owners categorized their reports, not a rate of failure across all Sportages on the road. Separately, manufacturer service bulletins for this model year lean toward the electrical system, with 17 of 60 bulletins, and the engine and engine cooling system, with 13. Bulletins are not recalls; they represent guidance Kia issued to dealers for addressing particular symptoms, not confirmed defects or required repairs. Taken together, the record shows two distinct recall systems, an active brake-related inquiry, and a bulletin pattern weighted toward electrical and engine topics — worth noting as context, not as a verdict on the vehicle's condition.

69 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• ENGINE — 19 complaints (28%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 9 complaints (13%)
• POWER TRAIN — 3 complaints (4%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 3 complaints (4%)
• EXTERIOR LIGHTING — 3 complaints (4%)
• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — 2 complaints (3%)

TRAILER HITCHES

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Opened 2023-11-17

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543,…

ENGINE

Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complai…

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