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.
Power train, Oct 11, 2021
We have been experiencing a lost of power. The engine sputters and loses power when accelerating. This has happened on several occasions. Today, 10/11/2021, we were nearly hit four times on interstate 580 in Oakland. We were travelling in the number two lane at sixty miles per hour. I began to accelerate to reach the speed limit when the Sorento began to sputter and lost power to five miles per hour. As we lost power the vehicle behind me nearly rear-ended our vehicle. As we moved to the shoulder we were almost struck two more times. Once on the shoulder I turned the Kia off and back on. I attempted to accelerate on the shoulder and it sputtered and lost powers at twenty miles per hour to five miles per hour. I have done research and its apparent there is a major safety issue with this year. Its unfortunate it take a loss of life (or lives) to have a major recall.
Structure, Sep 2, 2021
Pearl white paint peeling and chipping on hood of vehicle and bumper. KIA has known knowledge and history of this defect of the 2019 Kia Sorento with the Pearl white paint and hasn't stop using this color paint. Paint flakes has to go somewhere, air, water, etc. Hazardous material.This not just a touch up job, expensive procedure, have to restore the whole area, with the ensure that the paint matches up and possible cause of repainting again in the future. Kia needs to be held responsible for permitting defective equipment on the road.
Steering, Structure, Seats, Aug 26, 2021, crash
My Vehicle was stolen from my residential home. My window was buss out and they stole my vehicle. After over two weeks my vehicle was finally retrieved by the police and city of Milwaukee tow lot. I was told by financing company as well as police department to go get pictures of vehicle as reported from tow company that my vehicle was completely totaled out. I went and retrieved pictures seeing that my car was totaled. With this being said i don't have a vehicle for me or my children to be able to get to work and or school and daycare. I don't know what I'm going to do with trying to not jeopardize my job with getting to work. So I'm writing this so that KIA company can be held accountable for not recalling these vehicles and putting me and my children during this pandemic at risk of losing everything home, job and more.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2021
Headlights causing moving shadows, blind areas, phantom objects. Unsafe because visibility is reduced, compromised. Dangerous to operators and passengers. Has a high probability of causing an accident.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 12, 2021
CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRVING AND A SEMI TRUCK ALMOST RAN INTO ME. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM EXIST. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR THERE 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR 3 MONTHS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
Lane departure, Mar 5, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR A DURATION OF 1 TO 3 HOURS THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM" FAULTS OUT, LIGHTS A WARNING ON THE DASH AND TOTALLY STOPS FUNCTIONING. THE TEXT WARNING GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND A TRIANGULAR WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERABLE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE TRIP. OVERNIGHT SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO RESET AND EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL AND THE SYSTEM AGAIN WORKS FOR 1 - 3 HOURS THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS AND SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS SAFETY FEATURE. THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT RELIABLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2021, fire
I BEGAN SMELLING BURNT PLASTIC AND MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD. SHORTLY AFTER, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD (ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC). MY VEHICHLE WOUND UP DYING COMPLETELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL OF THE INTERNAL WIRING WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTED OR ENDED. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE DIED WHEN IT DID BECAUSE SOME OF THE BURNT WIRE WAS AN INCH AWAY FROM MY FUEL LINE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO EXPLODE IF IT WAS RUNNING ANY LONGER. THE END RESULT OF DAMAGES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED INCLUDE A NEW ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ENGINE HARNESS, O2 SENSOR TO NAME A FEW. ULTIMATELY THEY CLAIMED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER AN "ACT OF GOD" SO MY INSURANCE WAS FORCED TO COVER THE COST OF THE DAMAGE.
Engine, Dec 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CLEVELAND (2492 S. LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN 37311; (423)693-0505) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Dec 14, 2020
JERKS IN LOWER GEARS WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO STOP AND/OR SLOW IT DOWN WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN, BAD WORKMANSHIP ON KIA'S PART. KEEPS HAPPENING EVERYTIME. THIS IS MY SECOND CAR, THE FIRST IS SEDONA, THOUGHT KIA'S WERE STRONG, RELIABLE AND STURDY CARS, BUT SADLY DISAPPOINTED. NEVER AGAIN ANOTHER KIA.
Engine, Nov 30, 2020
ENGINE TROUBLE. ENGINE FAILURE AND STALLING PROBLEMS.
Engine, Oct 28, 2020
WHEN TAKING OFF, IT SPITS AND SPUTTERS AND THE RPMS GO DOWN TO ZERO AS PULLING OUT IN THE HIGHWAY. SAFETY ISSUE! THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
INCONSISTENT POWER TO THE WHEELS ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD BUT ALSO ON FREEWAY. UNEVEN DELIVERY OF POWER TO THE WHEELS IS USUALLY CALLED TRANSMISSION SURGE FROM A LACK OF CONSISTENT FLUID PRESSURE BEING MAINTAINED IN EACH GEAR. HAS BUCKED HARD ENOUGH IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR TO ROCK MY HEAD FORWARD AND BACK. IN ECO MODE IT'S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. MORE THAN ONCE I THOUGHT I'D BE HT BY ANOTHER CAR TRYING TO TURN ONTO A BUSY CITY STREET. DOES THIS LESS IN COMFORT MODE. THIS HAPPENED ON MANY DATES BUT BELOW YOU ONLY ALLOW TP PICK ONE SO I [PICKED ONE DATE. IT DOESN'T BUCK IN COMFORT MDE BUT THE STUTTER OR SURGE IS STILL THERE. IN THE FIRST 4-5,000 MILES, MAYBE 10 TIMES OR SO, AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKES, I HAVE FELT IT DROP INTO FIRST GEAR. THREE OR FOUR OF THOSE TIMES IT WAS SUCH A DISTINCT THUD I COULD FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SEAT AND THE FLOORBOARD. EITHER IT HADN'T FULLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST BY THE TIME I STOPPED, OR IT DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY INTO 1ST THEN INTO TO NEUTRAL, AND WHAT I'M FEELING IS IT FALL BACK INTO 1ST. DEALER SAID MECHANIC COULDN'T DUPLICATE MY SURGE PROBLEM. I DEMANDED A TEST DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC AND WENT TO A SMOOTH PART OF A NEARBY ROAD WHERE HE SAID HE 'COULD FEEL IT SOME BUT IT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH FOR KIA TO FIX IT. LET US KNOW IF IT GETS WORSE'. THE FLIP SIDE OF THIS STATEMENT IS: GEE, TOO BAD YOUR ANTICIPATED NEW CAR JOY ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT KIA IS HAPPY WITH IT'S ANTICIPATED PROFIT, AND WON'T ACT ON THIS UNLESS IT GETS WORSE. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO SAY COSTCO GAS IS THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Aug 7, 2020
ENGINE HESITATES OR JERKS UNTIL IT WARMS UP. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT IS NOTHING IS WRONG. BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IT DEFINITELY IS NOT NORMAL.
Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2020, crash
ON 7/25/2020, MY 2019 KIA SORENTO HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 4 MONTHS. I TOOK MY SORENTO TO MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A "DEFORMED BOOSTER BRAKES VACUUM HOSE"WHICH THEY REPLACED (2 DAYS IN THE SHOP MARCH 23RD TOO MUCH 25TH). ON JULY 13, 2020 IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE SECOND TIME. A WEEK LATER(JULY 25TH) THEY CALL TO ME TO PICK UP THE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD REPLACE THE HOST WITH AN UPDATED VACUUM HOSE, AND THAT KIA COOPERATION ENGINEERS WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON SATURDAY 5 DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS CALLING IT A TOTAL LOST. MY CAR IS A LEASE WITH 9,800 MILES ONLY.I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR ONLY. MY WAS NOT THE ONLY KIA SORENTO BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 31, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP (19TH AVE AND VINEYARD) THE CAR WILL HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE SYSTEM HESITATES TO STOP, ALMOST LIKE A DELAYED REACTION (MOSTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON LOCAL STREETS SUCH AS WEST BOUND BASELINE RD). THE BRAKES SQUILL (ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKING) SO BAD AND SO LOUD. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RIPPED OFF ON A CAR THAT'S ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE CITY OF ALL INSTANCES IS PHOENIX, AZ.
Power train, Jul 29, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING. ACCELERATION IS VERY SLOW IN EVERY MODE EXCEPT SPORT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL HESITATES. VERY UNSAFE. THIS OCCURS WHEN KIA IS FIRST STARTED OR ACCELERATING AFTER A TURN. IT'S ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE.
Power train, Engine, Jul 24, 2020
LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY 2019 KIA SORENTO V6 AWD STUMBLES, HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. DOES IT MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. HAD IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A PROBLEM THAT KIA IS AWARE OF AND "THEY" WOULD NOTIFY EFFECTED CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY HAVE A FIX. REALLY! IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION?
Power train, Engine, Jul 4, 2020
WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WONT ACCELERATE ,PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR ANOTHER 1/8 OF AN INCH AND THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF VERY FAST, ALSO IT FEELS LIKE A MISFIRE AT SLOW SPEEDS.IT HAPPENS ALWAYS.
Power train, Jun 29, 2020
TRANSMISSION IS GIVING HESITATION FROM 1ST TO 2AND GEAR AND POSSIBLY 3RD.
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2020
THE POWER WINDOWS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THEY ARE ALL ON AN AUTOMATIC FEATURE, SO WHEN YOU TOUCH THE BUTTON THEY WILL EITHER GO DOWN OR GO UP ALL THE WAY, AND YOU CANNOT STOP THEM. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN OR UP PART OF THE WAY. MY CHILD'S FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN THE WINDOW WHEN I TRIED TO RAISE IT UP HALF WAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT'S THE WAY KIA DESIGNED IT, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THEN I SAW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING HANDLED BY A LAW FIRM BASED ON KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS FROM 2016-2020. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAD THIS RIDICULOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. KIA NEEDS TO BE PROSECUTED. HTTPS://TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/AUTO-NEWS/VEHICLE-SAFETY-DEFECT-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-INVESTIGATION/
Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2020
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
Power train, Jun 1, 2020
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
Electrical system, May 17, 2020
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.