TireKick

Reported years

Engine owner reports: Kia Sportage years in the records

Owner reports are bound to model year 2019. A year on this list does not mean every car has the problem.

Years we reviewed

What to inspect

  1. 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The engine locked up about a year ago, and since we didn’t technically have a recall we didn’t know what to do. It was able to drive again after we had a technician work on it, but now it’s not driving anymore. It shakes hard when it’s idling and driving. We have waited over 2 weeks to be diagnosed with the problem. We have had to spend $1300 on rental cars because we can’t get a loaner until diagnosed. The car is not safe to drive and puts our lives at risk to drive it. We were lucky it didn’t start shaking while we were driving on a major highway, but it did still happen while driving and was terrifying. The car is at Williams Kia now, in Elmira NY. They still haven’t diagnosed the problem. The check engine light is on.”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The vehicle is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption. The engine was found by the dealership to be low by 3 quarts of oil after about 1000 miles during an oil consumption test, indicating abnormal oil loss. The suspected failure involves internal engine components, possibly piston rings, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn. This condition creates a safety risk because the engine can become critically low on oil, without warning, potentially leading to engine damage, loss of power, or engine failure while driving. The problem has been reproduced and documented by the dealership during oil consumption testing. However, there are inconsistencies in the dealership’s reporting, as later documentation stated that no oil consumption was found despite earlier records showing excessive oil loss. This vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized dealership and is currently part of an open case with the manufacture. The vehicle was also held at the dealership for approximately three weeks without clear documentation of work performed. There were minimal warnings indicators prior to the issue. The vehicle showed rough engine performance, which was consistent with oil fouling the spark plugs. No clear warning light reliably indicated the severity of the oil loss before the condition was discovered during testing.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Severe oil consumption issue at 100k miles. Same issue seen on kia class action lawsuit for GDI engines. No leaks present, after 800 miles from oil change, no oil seen on dip stick.”
NHTSAcomplaintOct 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Engine went out at 150,000 miles.”
NHTSAcomplaintOct 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for maintenance, the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact stated that the oil warning light had only illuminated once. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the first oil consumption test was performed. The dealer added oil to the vehicle. The contact checked the oil level every two weeks and noticed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was adding several quarts of oil every two weeks. The vehicle had several oil consumption tests performed by the dealer. The contact was informed that less than a quart of oil was lost. However, while the vehicle was at the dealer, all the oil had leaked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. However, a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSAcomplaintOct 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“My engine has been burning through oil very fast, it is only 6 years old. I have to put oil in it approx 3 times before another oil change is due. My mechanic suggested I see if there were any recalls but there are none. I have no lights on or any other issues.”
NHTSAcomplaintAug 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The I started noticing my oil light was coming on after only few hundred miles. After every oil change a week or 2 later I would need oil. Took it to a several mechanics and no leaks founds they all said the GDI engines are known for consuming high amounts of oil. I called Kia and they admitted they know about the problem but will do nothing about it”
NHTSAcomplaintMay 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The car started stalling anf an engine light came on”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2025Open source record