2019 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 428 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 10 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V639000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesPark outsideSep 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.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 22V703000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2021, crash
I was driving along the road on a light traffic day, I approaching an intersection when the traffic light turned red, I tried engaging brakes and they would not engage. As I approached the intersection I became fearful of colliding with multiple vehicles and due to brakes failing I encroached the intersection when I was T-boned by another driver. I see various complaints of brakes and the lack of stopping power for this particular vehicle. I advise anyone else to avoid purchasing this vehicle if you value yours and your families safety.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021
I was driving at 65 mph on the freeway. The weather was clear and the road is clear and there was no traffic. While I was driving, I heard a loud explosion and heard wind right after. I pulled at the first exit to check what had happened and saw the sunroof was shattered with a large hole about 12 inches in diameter in the glass. The interior sunroof shade was closed the entire time I was driving. Very little glass entered the car cabin and the interior sunroof shade currently shows no signs of holes or damage. Upon initial inspection, there appears to be little glass in between the sunroof shade and sunroof. It appears the vibration of the vehicle caused the sunroof to shatter in an upward motion. In addition, please note that no items were being carried on the oem roofrack. The car windows were also closed when this happened. I have 2 babies that were sleeping in the backseat when this occurred.
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2020
CARPETING. GAP IN THE CARPETING AT THE THIRD ROW. THE SEPARATION OF THE CARPET WAS NOT SOMETHING WE KNEW ABOUT BECAUSE IT WAS HIDDEN BY DEALER PREP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FIRST TIME WE USED THE 3RD ROW FOR OUR GRAND CHILDREN AND WERE ALSO INSTALLING BETTER FLOOR MATS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2020
FRIDAY ON AN OPEN STREET (NO BRIDGE OR ANY OTHER EXTERNAL FORCE KNOWN) MY SUNROOF BASICALLY IMPLODED COVERING MY PASSENGER DRIVER AND MYSELF IN 1000 OF GLASS PIECES. I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO SUBSEQUENT INJURIES SINCE I SLOWED DOWN AND HIT THE BREAK AND NOONE CRASHED INTO MY CAR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RADIO ON AND ONLY CONNECTED VIA BLUETOOTH. THE RADIO SCREEN WAS FLICKERING AND THEN SHUT DOWN AS IF I MANUALLY TURNED OFF . AS THIS HAPPENED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. I HAD TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND BY THE TIME THAT I DID, I COULDN'T RECORD IT FOR EVIDENCE AS IT REBOOTED ITSELF. I CALLED RIGHT AWAY AND HAD TO WAIT 2 DAYS FOR APPT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME AND RICK CASE KIA IN SUNRISE FL KEEPS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. MY BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR IS FINE. I HONESTLY THINK THEY STOP CARING AND JUST GIVE ME EXCUSES AND TELL ME THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR MFG DECISION ON MY ISSUE. MY ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING AND CANNOT BE ON MY PHONE RECORDING AS THEY WANT SOME KIND OF VIDEO AS PROOF . SO DISGUSTED WITH THEIR SERVICE AND WISHED I WOULDNT HAVE GONE WITH A KIA.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2019
2019 KIA SORENTO, PURCHASED ON 8/11/19 THAT HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH VIBRATION SINCE DAY ONE.. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FLAT SPOTTED TIRES AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAID IT WAS HIGH RADIAL FORCE ON TWO TIRES AND REPLACED THOSE TWO. VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE AND I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE JUST CRAPPY(BRAND) AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, BUT I COULD REPLACE THEM. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE $750 TOWARD A NEW SET OF TIRES, WHICH I HAD PUT ON AND AM STILL WAITING ON MY $750. YOU GUESSED IT, THE PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION IS STILL THERE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. IN FACT, I HAVE VIDEO OF MY WATER BOTTLE SHAKING IN MY CUP HOLDER WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED. ALSO THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH HESITATION WITH THIS NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR ANOTHER OPINION. WORST EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE EVER HAD WITH A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 12, 2019
OUR NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO EX V6 ENGINE AND NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SURGING AND HESITATION REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER RPMS. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO SERVICE 5 TIME NOW BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WAY TO SOON, SO IT DOES NOT KEEP THE RPMS UP LONG ENOUGH TO GET THE CAR GOING SUFFICIENTLY THEREFORE CAUSES SURGING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2019
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
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2019
BLIND SPOT WARNING QUITS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. WHICH I UNDERSTAND BUT IT WILL NOT WORK FOR A WEEK OR SO AFTER. DEALER WORKED ON IT TWICE ALREADY. KIA TEC SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL IF, IT JUST STOPPED WORKING DURING THE RAIN IS ONE THING, BUT NOT TO WORK FOR A WEEK AFTER IS NOT RIGHT. BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE AND PAID GOOD MONEY FOR IT. THE DEALER AGREES WITH ME AND ALSO SAYS ITS NOT RIGHT ,BUT KIA DOES NOT WANT TO BACK UP THIS WARRANTY. KIA HAS A 9 OR 10 POINT BULLETIN ON WHEN THIS FEATURE WILL NOT WORK BUT WILL NOT TELL YOU BEFORE YOU BUY THE CAR. THE DEALER AGREED WITH ME KIA HAS A MOISTURE PROBLEM, BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2018
IN ANY DARK AREA WHEN USING LOW BEAMS ARE USED A SHADE COMES DOWN ACROSS FRONT WINDSHIELD AND YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT IN MOTION AND STATIONARY DARK CITY STREETS , BACK RDS.ANY WHERE IT IS PITCH DARK.