2019 Kia Sportage

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.

The car continues to burn oil and have to put oil in it although not time for oil change. I took the vehicle to dealership several times because whenever I get gas it won’t let me start it right away or stutters after getting gas. Whenever the car is in park or idle it’s making a knocking noise and shaking really bad. The check engine light keeps going off and on but this most recent time it is not on. Initially i was advised they could only diagnose when check engine light on but that’s the issue because light does not stay on. I was on the freeway going about 70mph the car started declining in speed so had to hurry and pull over. Pulled over and turned off the car then it took several times to start back up. Vehicle currently at dealership waiting for more info but said it’s something related to the engine misfire.

Vehicle was throwing codes P2196 O2 sensor stuck rich, P0290 post catalyst fuel trim lean, P01720 system too rich, P016B closed loop air/fuel ratio control at limit. Brought to local dealership where they did an inspection and could not find any major issue that, in their words, “would affect drivability”. Recommended I start using premium fuel and in the future consider a fuel system cleaning. 9 days later while driving my engine starting knocking, check engine light was on and flashing, then my car died. Towed vehicle to the dealership where the assessed and found there to be no compression and stated the pistons looked “melted”. They could not give me a reason as to why, or why none of this was caught at my $100 service inspection 9 days prior. They stated I needed an engine replacement at $6700 due to failed pistons. They would not do any type of diagnostic or testing to rule out a known issue with the Theta II engine recall. They stated they did not have to do any further diagnostic since they found my pistons to be melted. Local mechanic of mine not affiliated with the dealership, assessed the engine and components, stated he did not see any abnormalities outside of normal wear and tear but did recommend I have the dealership tear into the engine since they are “Kia Experts” and know the engines. Kia dealership stated they filed a claim with corporate and it was denied. Kia corporate stated my dealership sent report stating engine failure reason is outside of scope for recall. Kia dealership refused providing me denial in writing. Sent me photo of correspondence with tech line which was a total of 3 messages. Vehicle had been at dealership since November 16th.

IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR I BOUGHT A 2019 KIA SPORTAGE EX FROM SMITHTOWN KIA IN NY. ON JULY 12, 2020 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AS CARS WERE ALL AROUND ME. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A SIDE STREET AND NOT ON A MAIN ROAD OR HIGHWAY! WHEN I PRECEDED TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ODOR THAT SMELLED LIKE GAS AND A BURNING SMELL. AT THAT POINT, I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO GOT A TOW TRUCK FOR US. THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE CODE TO INFORM THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE DISAPPEARED. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS WORKING AND READY FOR ME TO PICK UP! I INFORMED THEM THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING FIXED NOR WAS MY DAUGHTER WILLING TO GO BACK IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD DRIVE THE CAR AROUND TO ASSURE ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AGAIN, THEY OFFERED FOR ME TO PICK THE CAR UP OR DROP IT OFF!

MY KIA SPORTAGE 2019 CAUGHT FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY IN NEW MARKET MD AT AROUND 10:30 AM 9/26/19. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT BACK IN 12/2019. IT HAD ONLY 3900+/- MILES ON IT. THE OIL, FILTER, TIRE ROTATION AND 27 POINT INSPECTION WAS DONE ON 9/19/19. AS I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF RTE 70 WB I NOTICED BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND SIGNALED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND WAS QUITE HYSTERICAL BECAUSE NOW THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMOKING A BROWNISH-BLACK. IT QUICKLY STARTED COMING IN THEY THE VENTS. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO - MAY HAVE BEEN IN SOME SORT OF SHOCK. BUT I FINALLY LEFT THE VEHICLE BUT WAS STILL TOO CLOSE. A PASSERBY, JEREMIAH DARLING OF NJ, ASSISTED ME TO A SAFE PLACE AND I HEARD A POP THEN THE FLAMES STARTED COMING QUICKLY.