OUR 2019 KIA SORENTO LX V6 ENGINE IS SURGING AND HESITATING REALLY BAD. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN SURGE SPINNING THE FRONT TIRES, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS FOR US TO EXIT OUR DEVELOPMENT …
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OUR 2019 KIA SORENTO LX V6 ENGINE IS SURGING AND HESITATING REALLY BAD. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN SURGE SPINNING THE FRONT TIRES, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS FOR US TO EXIT OUR DEVELOPMENT ONTO A BUSY HIGH SPEED THOROUGHFARE! DEALERSHIP INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SORENTO AND WE SHOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. WE HAVE DRIVEN OTHER NEW KIA MODELS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323586
20 miles · Apr 19, 2020
EnginePower Train
PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT BACK SEPT. 2019. I NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS LURCHING FORWARD, OR SKIPPING LIKE WHEN I ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO SERVICE DEPT. TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO IT. WITH THE NEW SPORT, ECO, COMFORT AN…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT BACK SEPT. 2019. I NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS LURCHING FORWARD, OR SKIPPING LIKE WHEN I ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO SERVICE DEPT. TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO IT. WITH THE NEW SPORT, ECO, COMFORT AND IT IS TRYING TO ADJUST TO YOUR DRIVING HABITS. IT IS STILL DOING IT. THE OTHER DAY, IT LUNGED FORWARD LIKE IT WASN'T GOING TO STOP WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKES. I AM TAKING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN. WILL POST UPDATE. I PERSONALLY THING KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11321551
5 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HESITATES FROM A STOP AND DURING ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. CANNOT SEEM TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT SPEED AND ACCELERATION. DANGEROUS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC WITH A HESITATION. TRANSMISSION FEELS SKITTISH AS IF IT IS JUMPING BETWEEN GEARS UNTIL YOU ARE UP TO SPEED AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA ODI #11317616
7,000 miles · Nov 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A M…
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[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER WARREN RIOS AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD [XXX] THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11281953
11,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train
I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I…
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I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER [XXX] AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD WARREN RIOS THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11278175
1,500 miles · Sep 6, 2019
Power Train
I NOTICED AN ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY 2019 SORENTO EX V6 AWD.. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE HESITATION ESPECIALLY IN ECO AND SMART MODES. SOMETIMES IT HESITATES INITIALLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION BUT THE REAL CONCERN IT HESITATES AFTER YO…
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I NOTICED AN ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY 2019 SORENTO EX V6 AWD.. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE HESITATION ESPECIALLY IN ECO AND SMART MODES. SOMETIMES IT HESITATES INITIALLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION BUT THE REAL CONCERN IT HESITATES AFTER YOU PULL INTO AN INTERSECTION WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT PREVENTS YOU FROM DRIVING AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. I MENTIONED THIS TO TWO KIA EMPLOYEES AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR KIA VEHICLES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT THE 'RESET' THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE TWO OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE AND MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE KIA SORENTO FORUM. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED.
NHTSA ODI #11253644
13,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Power Train
MY 2019 V6 KIA SORENTO STUMBLES AND HESITATES UNDER PART THROTTLE, LOW RPM, ACCELERATION REGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, BUT IS PRESENT WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION IN 'SPORT' MODE REDUCES THE SEVERITY, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IT. WHEN I PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN MANUAL MODE…
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MY 2019 V6 KIA SORENTO STUMBLES AND HESITATES UNDER PART THROTTLE, LOW RPM, ACCELERATION REGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, BUT IS PRESENT WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION IN 'SPORT' MODE REDUCES THE SEVERITY, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IT. WHEN I PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN MANUAL MODE, AND LOCK IN A HIGHER (NUMERICALLY) GEAR, I CAN DUPLICATE THE HESITATION. I HAD MY DEALERSHIP REFLASH THE LOGIC CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION, PER A TSB, BUT THAT ONLY PARTIALLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE SO IT MAY BE A COMBINATION OF FUEL DELIVERY/AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTION. I BELIEVE IT'S MORE OF A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM, THOUGH. SOMETIMES THE HESITATION IS SUCH THAT IT PREVENTS PROMPT ACCELERATION, POSING A SAFETY CONCERN. I'VE USED VARIOUS FUEL SYSTEM CLEANERS DESIGNED FOR GDI ENGINES WITH LIMITED SUCCESS. MY VEHICLE HAS 13K MILES ON IT, AND IT HAS PERFORMED IN THIS MANNER SINCEI BOUGHT IT APX. 2K MILES, AND TWO MONTHS, AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11252961
25 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Power Train
PURCHASED NEW 2/22/19. REPORTED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP OVER 30 DAYS. CONSISTENTLY HESITATION AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION. KIA MOTOR CO, HAS DENIED THEIR IS AN ISSUE AND VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO DESIGN. KIA ENGINEERS AGREED THERE …
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PURCHASED NEW 2/22/19. REPORTED ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP OVER 30 DAYS. CONSISTENTLY HESITATION AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION. KIA MOTOR CO, HAS DENIED THEIR IS AN ISSUE AND VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO DESIGN. KIA ENGINEERS AGREED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE. I DROVE 3 DIFFERENT BRAND NEW SORENTO'S WITH EXACT DRIVETRAIN AND THEY ALL PERFORMED EXACTLY AS MY CAR. ALMOST GOT RUN OVER LAST WEEK TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON AN INTERSTATE ON RAMP.
NHTSA ODI #11244841
78 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Power Train
MY 2019 KIA SORENTO HAS HESITATIONS WHILE RAMPING UP IN SPEED. TOLD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AFTER THE 1ST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. TOLD IT WAS NOTHING SINCE IT DIDN'T SHOW UP IN SPORT MODE. I'M SEEING IN FORUMS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANS. DROPPING OFF TO DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11241961
100 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STUMBLES / HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL OR ON LEVEL SURFACE AT LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE BRIEFLY AND REPEATEDLY LURCHES UNDER ACCELERATION AS IF DRIVING ON PATCHY ICE-COVERED ROAD SURFACE. NOTICEABLE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WORST IN COMFORT, SMART AND ECO MODES. NOT AS PRONOUNCED, BUT STILL PRESENT IN SPORT MODE.…
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TRANSMISSION STUMBLES / HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL OR ON LEVEL SURFACE AT LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE BRIEFLY AND REPEATEDLY LURCHES UNDER ACCELERATION AS IF DRIVING ON PATCHY ICE-COVERED ROAD SURFACE. NOTICEABLE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WORST IN COMFORT, SMART AND ECO MODES. NOT AS PRONOUNCED, BUT STILL PRESENT IN SPORT MODE. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER START-UP. LESS NOTICEABLE AFTER 10-15 MINUTES DRIVING.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
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 complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.