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2019 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 312 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports19 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

426 reports
17,800 miles · Jul 18, 2019
EngineService BrakesCrashInjury

MY KIA SORENTO 2019 HAS BEEN ACTING WEIRD FOR A WHILE. I HAD TALKED TO THE SERVICE GUYS AND I WAS TOLD ALL IS FINE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES: 1. THE CAR HAS AN ISSUE OF ACCELERATION. ONCE IT REACHES 45MPH IT BECOMES NOISY AND IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. THE ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE GUYS:" IT IS NORM…

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MY KIA SORENTO 2019 HAS BEEN ACTING WEIRD FOR A WHILE. I HAD TALKED TO THE SERVICE GUYS AND I WAS TOLD ALL IS FINE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES: 1. THE CAR HAS AN ISSUE OF ACCELERATION. ONCE IT REACHES 45MPH IT BECOMES NOISY AND IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. THE ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE GUYS:" IT IS NORMAL." 2. THE BRAKES: IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME TO STOP. SO, EVEN IF I KEEP MY DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO STOP AT THE SAFE DISTANCE AT THE STOP SIGN OR LIGHTS. THE ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE GUYS: 'NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES.' 3. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THE MOTOR OVERHEATS SIGNIFICANTLY. 4. FINALLY, THE CAR ROLLED BACK FROM THE PARKING LOT (WHILE ON THE PARK MODE ) AND INJURED TWO PEOPLE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11233153

27,500 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Engine

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH ALTITUDES, THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL. WE WILL BE DRIVING ALONG JUST FINE AND THEN THERE IS HESITATION FOR A MOMENT AND THEN THE CAR WILL BE GOING ALONG JUST FINE AGAIN AND THE HESITATION HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVES. USUALLY OCCURS AT APPROXIMATELY 8000…

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WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH ALTITUDES, THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL. WE WILL BE DRIVING ALONG JUST FINE AND THEN THERE IS HESITATION FOR A MOMENT AND THEN THE CAR WILL BE GOING ALONG JUST FINE AGAIN AND THE HESITATION HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVES. USUALLY OCCURS AT APPROXIMATELY 8000-10,000 FT IN ELEVATION. SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. I AM SCARED WE WILL HAVE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS AND HAVE NO CELL PHONE SERVICE IN ORDER TO CALL SOMEONE FOR HELP. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS AND HAVE TAKEN 4 HIGH ALTITUDE DRIVES AND THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND KIA IS WORKING ON IT. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE KIA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? I DON'T WANT STALL SOMEWHERE AND CREATE A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR MYSELF, PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS SURROUNDING ME. PLEASE SEE KIA GETS THIS TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI #11233063

45 miles · Jun 6, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

WE PURCHASED A 2019 KIA SORENTO SXL ON MAY 4, 2019, AND TOOK DELIVERY ON MAY 6, 2019. THE FIRST DAY THAT I DROVE THE CAR IT STUMBLED WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT FROM A STOP. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FLUKE OR A COMPUTER LEARNING EVENT BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY. WE HAVE HAD TWO CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WH…

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WE PURCHASED A 2019 KIA SORENTO SXL ON MAY 4, 2019, AND TOOK DELIVERY ON MAY 6, 2019. THE FIRST DAY THAT I DROVE THE CAR IT STUMBLED WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT FROM A STOP. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FLUKE OR A COMPUTER LEARNING EVENT BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY. WE HAVE HAD TWO CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO PULL-OUT THEN IT STUMBLES WITH NO ACCELERATOR RESPONSE FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IT TAKES OFF LIKE A SHOT. I JOINED THE KIA FORUM TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THIS HAPPENING AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL OWNERS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY ALL SAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. WE NOW OWN A CAR THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND YOU CANNOT PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CALLED JIM SHORKEY KIA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO LEARN HOW ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROLS (FLY-BY-WIRE) OPERATE. THAT IS GARBAGE BECAUSE OUR 2011 EQUINOX AND MY 2014 CADILLAC CTS SPORTWAGON ARE BOTH FLY BY WIRE AND NEITHER OF THEM HAS EVER EXHIBITED THIS PHENOMENON. WHEN JIM SHORKEY CHECKED FOR CODES AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 11 MILES THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NEW 8-SPEED TRANSMISSION MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM BUT THERE NO PROGRAMMING UPDATES FOR IT YET. I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CARS HAVING WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND AM POSITIVE THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE IT TO BE IN THE REDUNDANT APP SENSOR TO THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN ACCIDENTS WITH SEVERE INJURIES AND DAMAGE. I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIND A PROPER FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11218381

3,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Steering

2019 KIA SORENTO EXPERIENCES SWAYING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. MUST CONTINUOUSLY STEER LEFT AND RIGHT TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE. IN LIGHT WIND IT IS MUCH WORSE. KIA DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS 3100 MILES ON IT. WHEN PURCHASED IT ONLY HAD 16 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11218114

2,892 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Engine

LEASED THE CAR IN MARCH AND BY END OF MAY IT WAS IDELING ROUGH AND CLICKING. GOT A MESSAGE ON MY SCREEN ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT ONTO THE DEALER AND WITH LESS THAN 2900 MILES IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. NOW IT WILL BE ABOUT 3 MONTHS (THEY ARE BACKLOGGED) UNTIL I GET IT BACK!!

NHTSA ODI #11217844

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET THE VEHICLE WILL WITHOUT WARNING SURGE , JERK AND JUMP. THE RPM NEEDLE WILL SHOW ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE AND NOT ON ANY INCLINE OR DECLINES, ON STRAIGHT AWAYS. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET.

NHTSA ODI #11206517

4,700 miles · May 7, 2019
Steering

IN STATIONARY POSITION. CAR OFF. THE PLASTIC COVERS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF. THE PLASTIC CONNECTING THEM DID NOT MATCH AND IS OF POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11206141

167 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Seat Belts

REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT STAY LATCHED. I HAVE CAR SEATS INSTALLED WITH THE SEAT BELTS AND THE KEEP COMING UNDONE, WHETHER THERE IS A CHILD IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AT 167 MILES!! AM AT 417 NOW AND IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 MORE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11197162

1,300 miles · Feb 21, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM ARE AIMED TOO HIGH AND ARE BLINDING AT NIGHT. EVERY CAR THAT PASSES ME AT NIGHT FLASHES THEIR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS AT ME; EVEN A STATE TROOPER FLASHED HIS LIGHTS AT ME AND BLUE LIGHTS, HE DIDN'T PULL ME OVER. I FEEL BAD DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT, PEOPLE ARE THINKING I'M RUDE FOR DRIVING WITH MY …

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THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM ARE AIMED TOO HIGH AND ARE BLINDING AT NIGHT. EVERY CAR THAT PASSES ME AT NIGHT FLASHES THEIR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS AT ME; EVEN A STATE TROOPER FLASHED HIS LIGHTS AT ME AND BLUE LIGHTS, HE DIDN'T PULL ME OVER. I FEEL BAD DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT, PEOPLE ARE THINKING I'M RUDE FOR DRIVING WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, WHEN I'M USING MY LOW BEAMS. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THIS VEHICLE OFFER NO ADDITIONAL LIGHTING OF THE ROAD, BUT THEY DO LIGHT UP THE TOPS OF TREES VERY WELL. ALSO, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE POINTED TOO FAR TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND LEAVE A LARGE DARK " V " SHAPED VOID IN THE MIDDLE, EXACTLY WHERE MY EYES FOCUS ON THE ROAD. THE DEALER CHECKED EVERYTHING, STATES OPERATING AS DESIGNED, THEY HAVE NO ABILITY TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS. PER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT: THE KIA TECH LINE PERSONNEL ARE DENYING THERE ARE ANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING KIA NEEDS TO FIX. THE LIGHTS ARE THE ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE VEHICLE, AND IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 1400 MILES SO FAR. THE PROBLEM IS MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON DARK UNLIT ROADS, HIGHWAYS OR RURAL DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11181734

300 miles · Feb 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING IN A NORMAL FREEWAY, BEAUTIFUL DAY, SUDDENLY FOR NOT REASON MY FRON WINDSHIELD GOT A CRACK, OUT OF THE BLUE, VERY SCARY. I DID CALL KIA RIGHT THE WAY, I TOLD THEM I WAS DRIVING FROM LA TO SAN FRANCISCO ON THE FREEWAY 5, ON VACATION FOR 4 DAYS, WHAT HAPPEN, I WAS AFRAID THE CRACK CONTINUE EXPANDING, THEY TOLD ME TO …

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I WAS DRIVING IN A NORMAL FREEWAY, BEAUTIFUL DAY, SUDDENLY FOR NOT REASON MY FRON WINDSHIELD GOT A CRACK, OUT OF THE BLUE, VERY SCARY. I DID CALL KIA RIGHT THE WAY, I TOLD THEM I WAS DRIVING FROM LA TO SAN FRANCISCO ON THE FREEWAY 5, ON VACATION FOR 4 DAYS, WHAT HAPPEN, I WAS AFRAID THE CRACK CONTINUE EXPANDING, THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER & THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT - WHEN I CAME BACK AFTER MY VACATION WITH THE KIDS, WE CALLED WENT TO DEALER KIA IN GLENDALE, THEY SAID WAS A ROCK!! WON'T COVER IT, I CALLED MANUFACTURER AGAIN, THEY SAID DON'T WORRY GO AGAIN TO DEALER THEY WILL HELP YOU OUT, NOBODY IS HELPING US, CAR IS NOT SAFE, WE HAD BEEN MISTREATED, VERBALLY ABUSE 7 NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING TO HELP US OUT. CAR WAS BRAND NEW, LESS THAN 30 DAYS, DEFECTIVE, YOU CAN TRUST THIS CAR, IT IS A RIP OFF!! VERY UPSTED & DEAPOINTED WITH KIA, 1ST AND LAST TIME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 30 YEARS, NEVER HAD A SITUATION LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR

NHTSA ODI #11180092

Official recalls

2

23V639000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 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.

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

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

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sorento problems