NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
426 reports27,895 miles · Jun 18, 2020
EnginePower Train
STUMBLES HORRIBLY THROUGH THE LOW GEARS DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL HITTING ~45-50MPH ON COLD START-UP (AFTER SITTING SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT). AFTER ENGINE WARMUP THE EFFECT BEGINS TO MODERATE, THOUGH IT REMAINS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. WORSE IN ECO AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES. GOING UP HILL THE CAR ACCELERATES FASTER WHICH LURCHE…
Read full complaint
STUMBLES HORRIBLY THROUGH THE LOW GEARS DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL HITTING ~45-50MPH ON COLD START-UP (AFTER SITTING SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT). AFTER ENGINE WARMUP THE EFFECT BEGINS TO MODERATE, THOUGH IT REMAINS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. WORSE IN ECO AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES. GOING UP HILL THE CAR ACCELERATES FASTER WHICH LURCHES THE CAR FORWARD AND IS VERY SCARY. SOUNDS LIKE A MISFIRE WHEN I START THE CAR THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY/TOWN AND SPEEDING UP TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329504
14,000 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Power Train
WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 14000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED TWICE NOW FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAVING A PROBLEM. YET THE "DEALERSHIP" KEEPS TELLING US THAT IT IS NOT "REPRODUCIBLE" YET THEY "TELL ME THEY RESET THE COMPUTER" EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT KICK ANY CODES. THE TRANSMISSION - IS VERY SLUGGISH IN GETTING INTO G…
Read full complaint
WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 14000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED TWICE NOW FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAVING A PROBLEM. YET THE "DEALERSHIP" KEEPS TELLING US THAT IT IS NOT "REPRODUCIBLE" YET THEY "TELL ME THEY RESET THE COMPUTER" EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT KICK ANY CODES. THE TRANSMISSION - IS VERY SLUGGISH IN GETTING INTO GEAR. (ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING WARMED UP OR NOT) THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS WITH KIA IS THE GAP IN THE INTERIOR CARPET OF THE THIRD ROW. THE DEALERSHIPS HIDE IT AND WHEN ADDRESSED WITH KIA THEY TRY TO COVER IT UP. THE CARPET IS GAPPED ON THE FLOOR BOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326793
2,700 miles · May 17, 2020
Electrical System
LEFT SIDE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS FOR RADIO VOLUME, MUTING, CHANGING STATIONS, CHANGING RADIO MODES, PHONE AND PHONE HANG UP INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO FUNCTION. PROBLEM OCCURS ALMOST DAILY AND LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO 15-20 MINUTES. THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR HAS SEEN THE ISSUE AT LEAST 3 TIMES BUT BUT THE TIME …
Read full complaint
LEFT SIDE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS FOR RADIO VOLUME, MUTING, CHANGING STATIONS, CHANGING RADIO MODES, PHONE AND PHONE HANG UP INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO FUNCTION. PROBLEM OCCURS ALMOST DAILY AND LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO 15-20 MINUTES. THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR HAS SEEN THE ISSUE AT LEAST 3 TIMES BUT BUT THE TIME IT GETS TO THE MECHANIC THE PROBLEM RESOLVES ITSELF. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACE THE AFFECTED BUTTONS AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. PROBLEM CONTINUES BUT NOW WITH ANOTHER TWIST. NOW WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE RADIO VOLUME FROM STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND WHEN THE BUTTON FAILS TO PERFORM THE FUNCTION INTENDED THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES MY PHONE AND CALLS THE LAST NUMBER DIALED. I CANNOT HANG UP FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HAVE TO FIND THE HANG UP CONTROL ON THE CENTER SCREEN. THIS DISTRACTION HAS ALMOST COST ME AN ACCIDENT. INTERMITTANT MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW IN NOV 2019 AND CONTINUES TO DATE NOW MAY 2020 WITH 14000 MILES ON VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR IN MOTION FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR.
NHTSA ODI #11324907
18,500 miles · May 12, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET OR JUST STARTING THE KIA AND GOING IT WILL WITHOUT WARNING SURGE, JERK, AND JUMP. THE RPM NEEDLE WILL SHOW ACCELERATION FROM 2.5 RPM AND IT JUMPS TO 4.5 RPM AND STAYS THEIR FOR AWHILE BEFORE GOING BACK DOWN TO 2.5 RPM. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE AND NOT ON ANY INCLINE OR DECLINES, IT'S ON STRAIGHT AWA…
Read full complaint
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET OR JUST STARTING THE KIA AND GOING IT WILL WITHOUT WARNING SURGE, JERK, AND JUMP. THE RPM NEEDLE WILL SHOW ACCELERATION FROM 2.5 RPM AND IT JUMPS TO 4.5 RPM AND STAYS THEIR FOR AWHILE BEFORE GOING BACK DOWN TO 2.5 RPM. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE AND NOT ON ANY INCLINE OR DECLINES, IT'S ON STRAIGHT AWAYS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET OR WHEN JUST STARTING THE KIA AND GOING. IT'S NOT JUST ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT ALSO HAPPENS IN CITY STREETS. IT FIRST ONLY STARTED HAPPENING WHEN IT WAS COLD OUT BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING EVEN WITH WARMER WEATHER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO KIA OF DULUTH MANY TIMES AND ALWAYS GET TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG OR TO JUST CHANGE THE DRIVE MODE FROM SMART TO ECO BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I GOT THE KIA WHICH WAS 16 MONTHS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324217
31,289 miles · May 11, 2020
Wheels
THERE HAS BEEN A DRONING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AT SPEEDS OVER 15 MPH FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND IT CONTINUES TO GET LOUDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324087
2,120 miles · May 6, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
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 …
Read full complaint
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
10,000 miles · Apr 20, 2020
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON LOW, THE HEADLIGHT DISPLAYED A SHADOW AND BOUNCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY KIA OF DURHAM (5105 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707 919) 572-1700) WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED AND FUNCTIO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH HEADLIGHTS ON LOW, THE HEADLIGHT DISPLAYED A SHADOW AND BOUNCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNIVERSITY KIA OF DURHAM (5105 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707 919) 572-1700) WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED AND FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11321716
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…
Read full complaint
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
22,000 miles · Apr 14, 2020
StructureVisibility
DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-66 EAST OF CARTHARPIN ROAD, MY SORENTO'S SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT MID-MORNING, NO CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA, SMOOTH PAVEMENT, I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. EXPLODING SOUND, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWOUT. DISCOVERED LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF. PREVIOUS EVENING WE HAD DRIVING RAIN, TEM…
Read full complaint
DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-66 EAST OF CARTHARPIN ROAD, MY SORENTO'S SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT MID-MORNING, NO CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA, SMOOTH PAVEMENT, I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. EXPLODING SOUND, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWOUT. DISCOVERED LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF. PREVIOUS EVENING WE HAD DRIVING RAIN, TEMP DOWN TO ABOUT 40 OVERNIGHT, CURRENT WEATHER WAS SUNNY, 45-50 DEGREES. CAR WAS LEASED NEW, HAS ABOUT 22K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321099
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
Official recalls
2Sep 15, 2023
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.
Sep 19, 2022
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
1DP22003 · 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.