Pearl White Paint has suddenly begun flaking off from roof of my 2019 SorentoSXL. It is running above the length of the driver side door. Paint should not be doing that. Looks like a factory defect. Noticed many other complaints for the exact same issue. Kia defers to the warranty but Kia should fix this regardless of warranty t…
Read full complaint
Pearl White Paint has suddenly begun flaking off from roof of my 2019 SorentoSXL. It is running above the length of the driver side door. Paint should not be doing that. Looks like a factory defect. Noticed many other complaints for the exact same issue. Kia defers to the warranty but Kia should fix this regardless of warranty timeline since this is not as a result of external forces or owner error.
NHTSA ODI #11669348
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2025
Unknown Or Other
Pearl white paint peeling off doors, hood, roof…less than 40,000 miles
NHTSA ODI #11669118
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2025
Unknown Or Other
HI, MY CAR HAS INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION.EVERY WEEK, IAM TOPING OFF THE OIL, 1 QRT EVERY WEEK NOW.I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA'S ATTENTION, HAD THE TEST DONE AS THEY SUGGESTED.THEY OFFERRED ME ONLY THIS: A/C EVAP CLEAN, COOLANT FLUID EXCHANGE, SPARK PLUG REPLACE, 3 PT INDUCTION SVC, WHICH DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM. I ALSO WANTED THE EXIST…
Read full complaint
HI, MY CAR HAS INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION.EVERY WEEK, IAM TOPING OFF THE OIL, 1 QRT EVERY WEEK NOW.I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA'S ATTENTION, HAD THE TEST DONE AS THEY SUGGESTED.THEY OFFERRED ME ONLY THIS: A/C EVAP CLEAN, COOLANT FLUID EXCHANGE, SPARK PLUG REPLACE, 3 PT INDUCTION SVC, WHICH DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM. I ALSO WANTED THE EXISTING RECALL TO BE ADRESSED, BUT THEY IGNORED.
NHTSA ODI #11663132
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2025
Unknown Or OtherFire
I’m contacting you regarding my 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ), which was completely destroyed in a fire on [XXX]. I had gone for a run at the city park, and as I was walking back, I saw my vehicle in flames. Police were already on-site, and just as I approached, the back windshield exploded. The fire department arrived shortly …
Read full complaint
I’m contacting you regarding my 2019 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX] ), which was completely destroyed in a fire on [XXX]. I had gone for a run at the city park, and as I was walking back, I saw my vehicle in flames. Police were already on-site, and just as I approached, the back windshield exploded. The fire department arrived shortly after and extinguished the flames. The vehicle is a total loss. After reviewing the VIN, I found the vehicle is subject to Recall SC249F / NHTSA 22V703 for a fire risk related to trailer hitch wiring. I want to emphasize that this vehicle did not have a trailer hitch installed, which raises concerns that it may have been pre-wired at the factory or otherwise contained faulty components. Additionally, I had previously brought the vehicle to the dealership twice for electrical problems, including complete failure of all lights, the windshield wiper motor, and power outlets. These issues were never fully resolved and may have been early signs of the defect that led to the fire. I am requesting: 1.A factory build sheet or Monroney label to confirm if any recall-related components were installed. 2.Guidance on how to initiate an official claim or investigation with Kia. 3.Clarification on whether Recall SC249F applies to vehicles without a hitch but with related electrical systems. Photos of the fire damage are available INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11660585
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2025
Unknown Or Other
Paint is peeling. Only have 100,000 miles. Paint is peeling off badly.
NHTSA ODI #11652081
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2025
Unknown Or Other
My oil level in my car keeps going low. Service department at Kia states they cannot find another problem. I’ve had regular oil changes. I met someone at the dealership experiencing the same problem.
NHTSA ODI #11649301
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2025
SteeringUnknown Or Other
We have received the security update for the ignition system over a year ago for the recall. Even with this recall fix our vehicle was still stolen, so this solution clearly didn't work.
NHTSA ODI #11649128
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2025
Unknown Or Other
Vehicle has frequent oil consumption issues. It’s burning oil way too fast and causing a potential issue with the engine. According to the staff at the car shop, there is no way to fix it. You have to just kind of deal with it. It seems to be a defect that has not been addressed and is only for first owners. Bought my vehicle fr…
Read full complaint
Vehicle has frequent oil consumption issues. It’s burning oil way too fast and causing a potential issue with the engine. According to the staff at the car shop, there is no way to fix it. You have to just kind of deal with it. It seems to be a defect that has not been addressed and is only for first owners. Bought my vehicle from a dealership and apparently this isn’t covered. This is a Lemon and it’s clearly unknown issue based on the workers at the car shop that have not been addressed and is causing an issue with my engine.
NHTSA ODI #11645267
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2025
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
A crack on my dashboard by the airbag above glove box. I use a windshield screen and armor all it to protect it I’m afraid if there’s an accident the airbag will not work as designed and it could cause injury or death Kia said after 5 years it’s normal wear and tear I bought car new oct 2019
NHTSA ODI #11636269
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other
The forward collision system warning system the warning that it's not working stays on for a couple of days then goes off but then it comes back on. My other problem is the Pearl White paint is peeling off the hood and roof of my Sorento. Kia said not their problem because it has 80,000 miles. I have read thousands of complaints…
Read full complaint
The forward collision system warning system the warning that it's not working stays on for a couple of days then goes off but then it comes back on. My other problem is the Pearl White paint is peeling off the hood and roof of my Sorento. Kia said not their problem because it has 80,000 miles. I have read thousands of complaints about this problem. There seems to be a problem with the paint they are using.
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.
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.
Illustration