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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

68 reports
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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 …

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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

35,600 miles · Mar 1, 2020
Electrical System

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS (2 OF WHICH OCCURRED 3/1/20). AFTER STOPPING MY VEHICLE, I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. NO DISPLAYS, NO LIGHTS AND OF COURSE THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. AFTER EXITING AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TEST FINE AND THE …

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ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS (2 OF WHICH OCCURRED 3/1/20). AFTER STOPPING MY VEHICLE, I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. NO DISPLAYS, NO LIGHTS AND OF COURSE THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. AFTER EXITING AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TEST FINE AND THE KEYFOB BATTERY IS GOOD, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #11315470

15,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

DAYS PREVIOUS TO EVENT WAS GETTING WARNING ALERTS ON DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. CALLED DEALERSHIP WHEN WARNING ALERTS CONTINUED HAPPENING. ON DAY OF EVENT WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR ROUTE, WHEN POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AS I PULLED OVER THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN. NO LIGHTS, NO BRAKING, NO HAZARD LIGHTS TO ENGAGE ALL SYSTEMS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11302167

9,166 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ATLANTA WEST KIA (1301 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122) BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ORDERED THE PART. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED FOR THE VEHICLE, SHE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ATLANTA WEST KIA (1301 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122) BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ORDERED THE PART. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED FOR THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RODENT DAMAGE BECAUSE THE INSULATION WAS SOY BEAN BASED. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,166.

NHTSA ODI #11288831

18,200 miles · Dec 10, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11288150

7,000 miles · Nov 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A M…

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[XXX] I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER WARREN RIOS AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD [XXX] THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11281953

11,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I…

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I SENT THIS TO [XXX]<[XXX]> I HAVE SOME RECORDS FROM (LEV KIA) I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM TOGETHER, IN THE MEANTIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THIS 2019 KIA SORENTO AND HOPE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT AT 60 OR 70 MPH LIKE IT WAS DOING, ESPECIALLY IF A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER IS BEHIND ME. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT A (SERIOUS ELECTRIC PROBLEM THAT THE MANAGER [XXX] AT LEV KIA TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS) CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWN SHIFT, I WILL SEND THOSE PAPERS SOON. ALSO IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE OF A MOISTURE PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL SHIFTING MODULATOR VALVE TO ACT UP, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE IT THEY HAD TO DO A PROGRAM UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE MODULATOR VALVE. HOW DO YOU CORRECT A MOISTURE PROBLEM IN AN INTERNAL MODULATOR VALVE WITH AN UPDATE? WE WILL SEE WHAT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS IS, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE #1 E-BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON BY ITSELF #2 THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LOWER LAMP GOING OUT 2 TIMES, THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS AND WENT THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS CLEANED ALL THE CONNECTORS TO THE LAMP. I TOLD WARREN RIOS THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THAT SOMETHING WAS GETTING WET AND CAUSING EITHER A SHORT OR A SURGE OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION, I HAVE PICTURES OF THE E-BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE HEADLAMP LOWER LIGHT OUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT'S IT FOR NOW I WILL SENT THE PAPER WORK SOON. I AM ALSO SENDING A COPY OF THIS NOTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND TO KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11278175

8,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 2-4 HOURS. HOWEVER, AFTER TRYING A FIX THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT A WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT CONSOLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR A…

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I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 2-4 HOURS. HOWEVER, AFTER TRYING A FIX THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT A WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT CONSOLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK. I AM NOT SURE IF ANY OR ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WOULD'VE FAILED DURING A WRECK BUT FELT THIS WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO REPORT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11241885

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.

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