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
428 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 31, 2024
At my last oil change, I was told by Kia that the oil was extremely low, which shouldn't be the case as I was not overdue for an oil change. They told me they couldn't tell me why, and I could try an engine cleaning service for $300 or $400 dollars that would have maybe a 60% chance of working. If it didn't work, then the engine was the problem and I was basically just screwed. I decided to seek a second opinion at a different shop and per the mechanic, "Engine has no leaks/found oil around top valve cover - removed oil cap and found engine had excessive blow by crank case pressure valve cover - piston rings worn." I was told the engine needs to be replaced. I have about 94,000 miles on the vehicle, and have always done all the maintenance at the Kia dealership that Kia recommends. The mechanic told me this has to be a manufacturing defect. There were no warning lights or anything to alert me to this problem. I was shocked when I was told about it at a routine oil change. If my engine goes out, blows, stops working, etc. I feel this is a major safety concern, particularly if it occurs while driving. I also feel that the Kia dealership isn't being honest about a known engine failure.
Engine, May 30, 2024
While driving the vehicle up a steep hill at 45mph, it began making a ticking noise, within seconds, the engine seized and the car died. There were no warning lights. The vehicle is available to be inspected, it has been towed to a Kia dealership and is currently awaiting inspection. Safety was a concern due to lack of power of the vehicle. Luckily we were going up hill and were able to stop the vehicle quickly.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2024
The oil light has start to flicker on & off since January 8, 2024. I was told it was defective oil pressure switch. I was also told that my oil pan is leaking too which I have had fixed multiple time. I see that there are the same recalls for these issues with Kia Sorento from 2012 - 2018 which said recalls began in July of 2019. My vehicle would have been built as well prior to this recall beginning and so my question is why isn’t the 2019 year included in these two recalls. Are there others later years like mine who have complained about this problem? I also see that you have increased the mileage to 15 years or 150,000 miles. So hopefully this can be resolved & recall issued sooner than later. Thank you.
Engine, May 6, 2024
As I was driving on the road, the engine suddenly died. Tried to restart a couple of times without success. When I tried 3rd time, the engine started.
Structure, May 2, 2024
Paint is peeling off the hood of the car.
Service brakes, Apr 28, 2024
I made a hard brake when first got car. Warning lights for ABS and traction control came on. Battery disconnected. Battery reconnected and codes cleared, but warning lights remained. Code 2400201 on OBDII read. I didn’t check ABS pump for leakage as I don’t know where that is. I can see the ABS Pump module unit aka ABS Hydraulic Control Unit. When I hard brake there is no ABS pumping action. Car just lurches forward real hard. Hope car doesn’t catch on fire.
Engine, Apr 16, 2024
Engine oil has been burning at a fast rate. Smoke from exhaust. About 5-6 months ago i Got a oil change and was told my engine oil was extremely low and if i had any warning lights. I said no. Got my oil change,.... started noticing a white smoke coming from exhaust pipe at all times of the day. about 3 months later got another oil change and i asked by any chance was the oil low again and they said yes. They Asked if any warning lights were on and i said no. I asked if i had a leak. They said no. Its been. About a month after this last oil change, i checked my engine oil at home because my car started feeling a bit rough and making making odd noises.. sure enough engine oil was low... so i had to buy some engine oil. Just made an appointment with kia but it will be a month before being looked at. Yes it is available for inspection. This is unsafe while driving and especially when i have children and family in my car which i always do.
Steering, Apr 14, 2024
Steering is Sticky/Tight especially when going into a curve. Had dealer check it and they said they couldn’t find why it was doing it and that it was okay There was no accident and still driving the car.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Engine, Apr 11, 2024
I was driving on the highway and the engine started shaking and slowing down and wouldn’t allow me to put power towards the vehicle. Had towed back to my house
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected inside the vehicle. The vehicle was parked outside the garage due to the strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle due to a possible fire risk from a failed fuel pump. The fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the ABS, ESC, Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System, and Auto Hold warning lights illuminated. The cruise control was then inadvertently deactivated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 2, 2024
Days prior to routine scheduled maintenance, several warning lights came on. There was a display of Front Collision Warning. Service department could not replicate the warning lights. Days later, the warning and lights came on more frequently. Took car into dealership and they confirmed a problem. Service department replaced: BR001 HECU 26238 C and 58910-C9600 Hydraulic Unit Assy. As I understand this motor is the main component in having the anti-lock braking system functioning normally. The service department told me to keep the receipt, since it wasn't under warranty, in the event there was a product recall. My concern: Even though there were warning lights the warning wasn't significant enough to indicate that there was a potential safety hazard with a malfunctioning brake system. I submit this in the event there are other incidents of this nature that could possibly warrant a recall.
Engine, Mar 26, 2024
I was driving on the highway with my two children when my car initially kept overheating so I pulled over to let it cool and add water to the anti coolant piece as it had been leaking. Then once my car cooled all the way down I proceeded to drive that is when it started to fluctuate and kept going hot then cool and it did that for a while before it overheated again. So I pulled over again and this time when I turned my car off it wouldn’t start. And there was a burning smell. My brother came to get us and he’s a mechanic so when he got there he said it smelled like oil and anti coolant were mixing. And that I would probably need a new engine. Towed ot to the dealership ran the diagnostic and they said it was a blown head gasket and I need a new engine. Not once did any of my dash lights come on, and I’ve had the dash reset several times because every time something goes down in my car the light for it never comes on. My kids life and mine as well were put at risk because my he motor could’ve caught fire or we could’ve gotten hit if it would have locked in the middle of me driving.
Structure, Mar 20, 2024
PAINT CHIPPING OFF
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2024
I bought this car in October of 2019 off of the show room floor and around July 15, of 2022 the paint on the hood of my car just started peeling for no reason. Over time the peeling has increased rapidly. I would like for this to be fixed. The color of my car is pearl white.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 14, 2024, crash
Check forwarded collision was on and it has disabled my traction control and abs light was on kia had me make an appointment 3 weeks out. Was leaving for work and it was rainy I was doing 30 in a 40 and I tried stopping to slow down because there was a car in front of me stopped at a yeld so I tired to stop harder but back of car stating sliding our so I had to quickly make a move to get to the lane next to me and there is no one over there and I went over a curb and resulting in totalling my car
Engine, Mar 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2024
Fuel pump leaking gas due to faulty design
Suspension, Mar 5, 2024
I purchased my 2019 Kia Sorento with 7,000 miles on it. A few moths after purchase, I began having suspension issue with it. My rear tires were being worn out very quickly and a tire repair shop suggested that I have Kia dealership check out the shocks, which I did. Kia Service Center diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the shock absorbers due to leakage. Almost 2 months later, I took my Sorento back to the same Service Center due to loud squeaking noises and the up and down of the vehicle anytime I drove over the smallest hump or bump in the road. Kia found that the strut mount and bearings were coming apart and Kia supposedly replaced the sway bar along with the bearings and struts. After one month, I had to take the vehicle back for the same issue. It was supposedly fixed again but a few moths later, the loud squeaking came back and has gotten worse over time. I took my truck to Kia again for the same issue and they are now saying that the sway bar bushings have went bad. Well they supposedly just replaced the old sway bar last year and it is already needing new bushings. I have searched online and found the front sway bar of KIA's to be a major defect problem and consumer's having to continuously replace the front sway bar on their KIA. A bad sway bar can not only impede your ability to control and handle your vehicle, but it can also be the cause of an accident. With so many consumer complaints on this issue, I am unsure why there has been no recall on the sway bar and bushings of KIA vehicles. Whether the vehicle is new with new parts or the part has been replaced, this is definitely an issue that needs to be investigated immediately.
Engine, Feb 27, 2024
The Kia burns oil quickly. The oil light used to come in between oil changes. Last oil change the service station said the dip stick was dry but the oil light hadn’t come on at all. A week after the oil change we checked the oil level and the stick came out clean(no oil)
Engine, Feb 20, 2024
Vehicle has engine oil leak, started months ago but no warning lights - determined there was a problem due to the oil drippage on driveway. Took vehicle to dealership, known problem of oil filter housing and it has to be replaced. Part on back order. Not repairing the problem can force the engine to seize and stall while driving, hence, I haven't been driving the vehicle due to concerns about it seizing. This is a known problem subject to two class action settlement suits and the problem STILL occurs. Why isn't a recall being done to address this problem at no cost to the customers?
Engine, Feb 18, 2024
Oil pan cracked to the right side of the drain plug about an inch long
Power train, Engine, Feb 7, 2024
I was driving and car lost power, couldn’t drive anymore
Engine, Feb 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while reversing into the garage, the contact’s husband noticed a large amount of oil on the ground. The check oil warning light illuminated when the vehicle was stopped. The contact’s husband changed the oil and added 8 quarts of oil to the engine and within a week, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contacts husband rechecked the oil level and there was no oil in the oil pan. The contact’s husband took off the front passenger tire and saw that the oil filter housing was leaking. The dealer was contacted to purchase the oil filter housing part; however, the contact was informed the part was on backorder with no estimated time for arrival of the parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that without the part, the vehicle was undrivable. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.